Festivals will be an thrilling alternative for youngsters to department out. For a lot of, it will likely be their first time away from mother and father. With this, comes new challenges and risks. Alcohol can be concerned so it’s particularly essential to vigilant round what you might be consuming, even for those who assume it’s simply water.
This text will have a look at two widespread hazards when attending festivals: dehydration and spiking. It present methods to identify the signs of every and in addition the best way to cope with every challenge.
The significance of staying hydrated
The commonest reason for collapse at music festivals isn’t often straight as a result of substances individuals have taken, however due to one they haven’t – water. In response to our crew, a veteran paramedic usually working at these occasions, nearly all of individuals requiring medical remedy at festivals are affected by acute dehydration.
Many youngsters are simply not conscious of the significance of consuming water – notably in scorching sweaty situations and when consuming alcohol or taking medicine (each highly effective diuretics). Pageant situations conspire to make consuming water much less of a precedence. Foods and drinks costs will be excessive at festivals which means cost-conscious youngsters could wish to save their funds to purchase alcohol. The thrill and distraction of dwell occasions could make it onerous for youngsters to recollect to remain hydrated.
And at a competition it may be much more essential to high up your H20 ranges to spice up water misplaced by consuming alcohol and taking medicine which may trigger overheating and severe dehydration. Or to fight dehydration attributable to an excessive amount of solar. Add to this staying up late, partying onerous and tenting – all of it takes their toll on self-care.
Lately many festivals, resembling Studying and Glastonbury, have their very own cellular on-site A&E models. That is the place competition goers who collapse are handled. They’re given water to rehydrate them and a cool place to get well. Lots of them are additionally affected by warmth exhaustion and obtain recommendation on the best way to keep hydrated for the remainder of the competition.
Signs of dehydration
The signs of dehydration are: feeling thirsty or drained, complications, passing darkish or robust smelling urine, feeling dizzy or mild headed, peeing little – fewer than 4 instances per day, affected by dry mouth, lips and eyes and collapse.
Your threat of changing into dehydrated is elevated when you’ve got drunk an excessive amount of alcohol, taken medicine, been within the solar for too lengthy or been vomiting or had diarrhoea – all extremely possible at festivals.
At its most extreme, dehydration can result in confusion and disorientation, a weak and fast pulse and seizures and requires hospital remedy.
Up your water consumption instantly for those who really feel dehydrated. Ensure you drink fluids in small sips, more and more your consumption progressively. Attempt to eat excessive water content material meals resembling ice lollies or fruits resembling watermelon. Water itself is nice, however you can too drink sports activities drinks or complement with oral rehydration sachets.
Being conscious of the dangers and signs of dehydration may help competition goers keep secure this summer season. Right here at First Assist For Life, we run first help programs for youngsters to provide them the arrogance of understanding the best way to preserve themselves and others secure when it actually issues.
We’re additionally joyful to run bespoke teams for youngsters to get them first help skilled and festival-ready.
So, if you’re heading off to a competition this summer season, or if you’re packing off your teenager to expertise their first competition, guarantee that alongside the new pants and wellies, you additionally pack sunscreen and loads of water.
Spiking
While it is very important keep hydrated, it’s also crucial to pay attention to what you’re consuming.
You should have heard the horror tales about spiking incidents whereas at festivals however sadly increasingly more younger persons are changing into victims of this horrible type of abuse. Between Might 2022 and April 2023, the police acquired 6,732 stories of spiking, which included 957 needle spiking stories. On common, the Police obtain 561 stories a month, with the bulk coming from females who imagine their drink has been spiked – although spiking can have an effect on anybody. It is very important notice that needle spiking stories are considerably decrease than these reported within the autumn of 2021 and nearly all of stories are for drink spiking. Many extra instances possible by no means reported.
Ensure you know what to look out for and the best way to preserve your self secure.
So what’s spiking?
‘Spiking’ is when somebody places alcohol or medicine into one other individual’s drink or their physique with out their data or consent.
Several types of spiking can embrace the next substances being added to drinks:
- Alcohol
- ‘Date rape’ medicine
- Unlawful medicine
- Pharmaceuticals (e.g. stimulants, tranquilisers, sedatives, opiates)
Drink spiking can occur to any kind of drink, whether or not alcoholic or non-alcoholic. This is the reason it’s so essential to be vigilant of what you might be consuming. Even if you’re attempting to hydrate your self, there’s at all times the hazard that somebody has slipped one thing into your drink.
There are numerous the reason why somebody would possibly resolve to ‘spike’ one other individual. It makes it simpler for somebody to commit a violent crime or assault their sufferer, or might be meant as a ‘joke’. Motives could embrace:
- Rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse
- Non-sexual assault
- Theft
Spiking is a criminal offense
It’s by no means the sufferer’s fault!
Spiking somebody with a purpose to commit a violent or sexual offence towards them is a severe crime – regardless of whether or not any sexual offence befell. It carries a most sentence of 10 years in jail in England and Wales.
If the aggressor additionally dedicated a sexual offence towards the sufferer they spiked, they are going to face extra prices.
Learn how to know when you’ve got been spiked?
The results of drink spiking range relying on the substance. Nevertheless, signs may embrace:
- Lowered inhibitions
- Lack of stability
- Feeling sleepy
- Visible issues
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
The signs will rely upon numerous elements such because the substance or combine of drugs used together with the dose, your measurement and weight, and the way a lot alcohol you may need already consumed.
Higher to be secure than sorry
- All the time purchase your personal drink and watch because the individual pours it.
- Don’t settle for drinks from strangers.
- By no means go away your drink unattended whilst you dance or go to the bathroom.
- Don’t drink or style anybody else’s drink.
- Throw your drink away for those who assume it tastes unusual or totally different.
What do you have to do for those who suspect somebody has been spiked?
- Inform a bar supervisor, bouncer, or member of workers.
- Calm and reassure the person.
- Maintain them heat and cozy in a secure secure location.
- DO NOT induce vomiting.
- Monitor the person and guarantee they’re respiration steadily and are conscious of you.
- Verify for additional accidents.
- Take them to A&E or name 111.
- If the person continues to deteriorate, loses consciousness, continues respiration irregularly, and even stops respiration name 999 instantly.
- If somebody is unconscious however respiration, and has no different accidents place them within the restoration place till assist arrives.
- If somebody stops respiration begin to administer CPR.
What can venues do?:
Some venues responded by introducing measures resembling protecting drinks covers, elevated entry searches, and ‘girls solely’ evenings.
Some competition organisers have additionally arrange tents the place you’ll be able to go to check your drinks for harmful substances.
In response to the rise in spiking, Nottingham Trent College by rising safety for occasions at its college students’ union. In addition they launched Secure Locations between 9pm and 9am throughout their campuses. Moreover they offered bystander intervention coaching to workers in college venues and night-time venues throughout the town to forestall sexual violence.
Wish to know extra? Learn this in depth survival information for festivals!
About us
Written by Emma Hammett
First Assist for Life and On-line First Assist present award-winning first help coaching tailor-made to your wants. Please go to our web site and be taught extra about our sensible and on-line programs. It is important to maintain your expertise present and refreshed. We’re at present offering important coaching for people and teams throughout the UK. As well as, we’ve got an excellent vary of on-line programs. These are excellent as refreshers for regulated {qualifications} or as Appointed Particular person {qualifications}.
You may attend a completely regulated Sensible or On-line First Assist course to grasp what to do in an emergency. Please go to https://firstaidforlife.org.uk or name 0208 675 4036 for extra details about our programs.
First Assist for Life is a multi-award-winning, absolutely regulated first help coaching supplier. Our trainers are extremely skilled medical, well being and emergency providers professionals. They may tailor the coaching to your wants. Programs for teams or people at our venue or yours.
First Assist for all times and On-line First Assist present this info for steerage solely. It’s not in any manner an alternative to medical recommendation. We aren’t accountable or answerable for any prognosis made, or actions taken on this info.
