At all times during the festival, we will be making the necessary precautions to encourage healthy hygiene and wellbeing. We ask for cooperation in this matter too.
Whether we’re blessed with hot sunshine or pouring rain, being outside, walking miles, camping and dancing means you need to look after your physical and mental health. Stay on form, feel good, keep everyone safe.
Festival Wellbeing Guide
• Be drink and drug aware – don’t overdo it.
• Look after your friends – make sure that everyone gets home safely at night and people are not left to walk back to camp on their own.
• Be a friendly face in the crowd – if you see someone you don’t know who looks like they are struggling or needs some help ask if they are ok. If you see someone alone and unconscious alert a steward or member of event staff.
• Pace yourself and know when to go to bed – have a good time, stay up all night if you are having fun, but there comes a point where you need to ask yourself: Is this fun anymore or do I need a bit of sleep?
• Avoid an upset stomach – you might be happy to dodge the shower for the weekend, but make sure you always wash your hands or use an antibacterial hand sanitiser before you eat and after you’ve used the toilet.
• Eat regularly and stay hydrated especially in warm weather.
• Love music? Love your ears! – exposure to loud music at festivals can cause serious long term damage to your hearing. If you do like to be right in the action, consider wearing ear protection. Small children have especially sensitive ears and should always wear ear protection when around loud noise.
• Protect yourself from the elements – wear sun cream to protect yourself, even if it’s cloudy. Always bring a pair of boots or wellies; white trainers + mud = bad times.
Festival Medics
If you need medical attention, make your way, if you can, to one of the medical tents. Medics are much better able to treat you in their own area where they have equipment and supplies so avoid calling medics out if you are able to go on foot.
In an emergency, approach a festival steward/security/member of event staff or police officer who will be able to call the medics for help. Only dial 999 from a mobile phone as an absolute last resort – this may not be the most effective way of getting help on a festival site. It’s best not to try and make your way off site to hospital. This could result in very long and possibly dangerous delays in getting treatment.
NHS 111 – If you require non-urgent health advice you can call 111 from any phone to speak to the NHS helpline.
Top 10 Festival Medical Complaints
- Sprained ankles: where sensible/sturdy footwear.
- Sunstroke, sunburn and general exposure: stay hydrated, wear a hat, cover up if it’s sunny and slap on a high SPF cream.
- Overdoing it from alcohol and other drugs: Start low and go slow. It is best to avoid other drugs.
- Minor wounds (often from falling over): stick to designated paths and don’t be tempted to climb over or crawl under fences. If you do hurt yourself and end up with a wound, make sure you clean it properly and then cover with a sterile dressing to avoid infections.
- Blisters: wear socks with shoes or wellies. Bring plenty of plasters (maybe even plaster up weak points like heels before a day stomping around in the fields).
- Hyperventilation: this is when someone breathes in excess of what the body needs. It can happen as a result of taking alcohol or other drugs, or if someone becomes panicked and overwhelmed. Try to remove yourself from any environments which may trigger this feeling; take a friend and find somewhere quiet to chill out. Keep calm and if needed walk to the festival welfare services where they will have a safe quiet area to sit and relax.
- Fainting: don’t underestimate the energy it takes to party all weekend. Remember: eat, sleep, rave, repeat.
- Bites and stings: minimise the risk of getting bitten by wearing insect repellent. It’s also a good idea to bring along some antihistamine in case you do get nipped.
- Upset stomach: pay attention to hand hygiene and make sure food is thoroughly cooked to avoid this one.
- Burns: take care when changing gas canisters on camping stoves.
Sexual Health
If romance blossoms in the fields then you want to be ready. Be prepared and always use contraception.
Consent should always be mutual and continuous. You should never feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to and have the right to say no or change your mind at any time.
Mental Health
Looking after our mental health and wellbeing at festivals is so important as it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Festivals should feel like happy, safe and exciting spaces but they can also sometimes be overwhelming. Getting enough sleep, eating regularly and pacing yourself are key if you want to stay on top form.
If you have an existing mental health condition remember to bring any medication you are on with you and remember to take it as prescribed.
For further information please look at the folloiwng website: www.festivalsafe.com/information/wellbeing
