Group dynamics and evasion strategies cannot be codified into a step-by-step guide.
You must learn to go with the flow, responding and adapting to the needs of the situation.
This takes patience and practice.

If you lose your composure, you lose everything.

You need to work with punches, kicks and grapples. It needs to be varied, confusing, unsettling and unpredictable. A melee.

Tao Te Ching, The Art of War, The Book or Five Rings and I Ching all offer excellent principles.
These are what you need in self defence.

Scour your art for underlying precepts of body use, relationship and strategy.

Provocative behaviour will draw attention to yourself.
Wearing your martial arts costume, sweatshirt or lapel badge all call attention to what you do.
Similarly, macho behaviour only demonstrates an inner weakness. An insecurity. Your fear.

Keep your skills quiet and subtle. Avoid being noticed.

Optimal range is a necessary consideration in terms of health, and combat.
It is the degree of range that enables you to use your extension most effectively.
Considerations:

1. Ease
2. Root
3. Comfort
4. Strength
5. Stability
6. Movement
7. No leaning
8. Relaxation
9. No stretching
10. Maintain balance

When operating within your optimal range, your body is far stronger and more resilient.
It can adapt, change and move with ease and comfort.