Staying protected at summer season music festivals: What to pack and tips on how to plan

Former triple j presenter Declan Byrne met his spouse at a music pageant.

“She walked in, sporting a foolish beanie with like a lion or a canine on it. We simply linked right away.”

All up, Declan reckons he is been to not less than 50 music festivals, together with round 15 multi-day tenting occasions.

He says there’s “a particular power at festivals,” and describes them as a spot to get pleasure from “three good summer season days, with all this nice music”.

There are some things to remember when partying within the crowds and the warmth, useful in case you’re a primary timer or have not been to a pageant some time.

Whether or not you are heading to Falls, Past the Valley, Misplaced Paradise, Laneway or some other place solely, here is tips on how to take care of your self through the summer season pageant season.

Preserve cool, hydrated and wholesome

Lara Bisley from St John Ambulance NSW says heat-related diseases are the most typical incident her crew sees at festivals.

She says it is actually vital to remain hydrated with lots of water, eat correctly, and never spend an excessive amount of time within the solar when potential. Warmth stroke might be life-threatening, so it is vital to take it significantly, and understand the signs.

And do not forget to examine the most recent COVID well being recommendation, which can vary from state to state, earlier than you go.

Groove to your individual moo

Ash King, a psychologist at music business charity Assist Act, has been to a ton of music festivals, and says listening to your physique is essential.

This could possibly be sitting someplace quiet and shaded for some time, heading again to your tent for a nap, or some festivals even have “sit back zones” so that you can take a breather.

Declan agrees there’s nothing flawed with taking a break to actually “do nothing,” or says there is perhaps some close by water the place you possibly can escape for a swim.

Look out on your mates

Alison Hutton from the College of Newcastle is a Professor in Nursing, specialising in mass gatherings.

She recommends understanding a gathering spot prematurely, in case you get separated out of your mates.

This could possibly be the doorway you got here in at, the sound sales space, or a tree someplace across the campsite.

Declan provides that having a method to discover your group in a crowd might be useful — whether or not that is by holding up a pool noodle, sporting matching garments, and even making a Jennifer Coolidge stick.

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What to contemplate with medication and alcohol

Psychologist Ms King says when you “need to have the ability to get pleasure from your self” at a pageant, you additionally “need to have the ability to bear in mind what kind of a time you had”.

Should you’re heading to a multi-day pageant, she says chances are you’ll not wish to lose a day to a hangover, and provides that “the bathroom state of affairs might be attention-grabbing”.

In an already overwhelming pageant setting, she says comedowns will also be further troublesome with out the creature comforts of residence.

Professor Hutton says in case you select to drink alcohol, it could actually assist to consider the way it impacts you.

“Should you usually want a nap after having a few drinks through the day, do not begin ingesting at 12pm.”

Should you run into hassle, St John’s Ms Bisley says to not be afraid to ask for assist, both by way of on-site first help groups, or by calling triple zero.

“It is a lot better to make [us] conscious of what you have acquired occurring and what it’s that you just [or your friend] has consumed, in order that we can assist you.”

No matter selection you make, Declan says “you are in all probability by no means going to remorse having one much less of one thing.

“I do not look again and cherish these nights at festivals the place I do not bear in mind the act.”

Is crowd crush a threat?

Whereas lethal crowd crush occasions like Itaewon and Astroworld have made headlines, Professor Hutton says Australian crowds are usually loads smaller.

“I am not going to say that it won’t happen … I simply do not assume it is one thing that’s the norm right here.

“Individuals who go to festivals are actually hyper conscious of their very own security, and in addition of others. We glance after one another.”

She says the important thing to crowd security is “do not be an asshole,” and to assist individuals up in the event that they fall down.

Should you begin to really feel overwhelmed in a packed crowd, you may ask safety to drag you over the barrier, or head out sideways – that manner, you are still close to the entrance, however can have a bit extra respiration house.

She says a warning signal there’s too many individuals in an area is when you possibly can’t bodily flip round to see behind you.

“Mainly, in case you do not feel comfy, you get out.”

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Your pageant packing listing

Whilst you’ll in all probability have your individual listing of cute outfits, your debit card and a cellphone charger, our consultants counsel packing:

• A water bottle
• Sunscreen (you may even hook a mini one on a carabiner)
• Moist wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Muesli bars, chippies, snacks
• Sports activities hydration drinks
• A torch
• Bathe thongs
• A mini-ice pack that cools once you crack it
• A transportable energy financial institution
• Your individual maintain cup (to assist cut back plastic waste when shopping for drinks)
• A printed listing of set occasions and a map