Festival Season First Aid tips

The days are getting warmer and festival season will soon be upon us. Although music festivals are full of fun and excitement, there are a range of potential dangers that come with a weekend festival.

From dehydration and heat stroke to potential injuries due to drinking alcohol, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of a first aid emergency while attending a festival this summer.

Dress appropriately for the weather

As most festivals take place between June and August in the UK, the warm weather can become a hazard if you are not properly prepared. Heat stroke and sunburn can both become quite serious issues if you do not dress for the weather or take precautions.

For hot weather you should wear loose fitting clothing that allows heat to escape and ensure you wear suncream to protect your skin from burning

As we know, British weather can change rapidly, so be sure to pack some wellies and waterproof gear to prevent hypothermia if the weather does turn.

Keep yourself hydrated

Dehydration can become a serious concern if you are not careful. You should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty and avoid consuming too much caffeine or alcohol - both of which can make you more dehydrated.

Sports drinks or rehydration pouches can also provide electrolytes that may have been lost through sweating.

Manage your alcohol intake

If you choose to consume alcohol at your festival, you should take care to manage the amount of alcohol you drink to avoid accidents.

Tips include eating a meal before you begin drinking, stay in groups with people you know, and always avoid taking drinks from strangers while keeping an eye on your own drinks.

Consider packing a small first aid kit

Even when taking every step to stay safe, accidents can happen. That’s why it is vital to have basic first aid skills at least, this can include dealing with burns, small cuts or bruises, and choking.
View some of Imperative’s First Aid courses here. If you need to purchase a first aid kit, you can view some of our options here.

Know where your nearest defibrillator is

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death among young people in the UK., with around 60,000 SCAs taking place in the country every year.

Sadly, around 90% of people who suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest currently die due to lack of knowledge on how to react, and lack of defibrillator infrastructure. Defibrillators are now becoming increasingly available and accepted as a key part of first aid equipment, the festival you are at should have several defibrillators on site.

You can view your nearest defibrillator online through a website called the Circuit, this site also details hours of availability and whether the defibrillator is accessible to the public. You can view this here.