Festivals – the most common cause of collapse

Did you know the most common cause of collapse at music festivals isn’t usually directly due to substances people have taken, but because of one they haven’t – water. According to one of our team, a veteran paramedic regularly working at these events, the majority of people requiring medical treatment at festivals are suffering from acute dehydration.

The importance of staying hydrated

Many teenagers are just not aware of the importance of drinking water – particularly in hot sweaty conditions and when drinking alcohol or taking drugs (both powerful diuretics). Festival conditions conspire to make drinking water less of a priority. Food and drink prices can be high at festivals meaning cost-conscious teenagers may want to save their funds to buy alcohol. The excitement and distraction of live events can make it hard for teenagers to remember to stay hydrated.

And at a festival it can be even more crucial to top up your H20 levels to boost water lost through drinking alcohol and taking drugs which can cause overheating and serious dehydration. Or to combat dehydration caused by too much sun. Add to this staying up late, partying hard and camping – it all takes their toll on self-care.

These days many festivals, such as Reading and Glastonbury, have their own mobile on-site A&E units. This is where festival goers who collapse are treated. They are given water to rehydrate them and a cool place to recover. Many of them are also suffering from heat exhaustion and receive advice on how to stay hydrated for the rest of the festival.

Symptoms of dehydration

The symptoms of dehydration are: feeling thirsty or tired, headaches, passing dark or strong smelling urine, feeling dizzy or light headed, peeing little – fewer than 4 times per day, suffering from dry mouth, lips and eyes and collapse.

Your risk of becoming dehydrated is increased if you have drunk too much alcohol, taken drugs, been in the sun for too long or been vomiting or had diarrhoea – all highly likely at festivals.

At its most severe, dehydration can lead to confusion and disorientation, a weak and rapid pulse and seizures and requires hospital treatment.

If you feel you may be dehydrated, you need to up your water intake immediately. Make sure you drink fluids in small sips, increasingly your intake gradually. Try to eat high water content foods such as ice lollies or fruits such as watermelon.  Water itself is great, but you can also drink sports drinks or supplement with oral rehydration sachets.

Being aware of the risks and symptoms of dehydration can help festival goers stay safe this summer. Here at First Aid For Life, we run first aid courses for teenagers to give them the confidence of knowing how to keep themselves and others safe when it really matters.

We are also happy to run bespoke groups for teenagers to get them first aid trained and festival-ready.

So, if you are heading off to a festival this summer, or if you are packing off your teenager to experience their first festival, make sure that alongside the hot pants and wellies, you also pack sunscreen and plenty of water.

Want to know more? Read this extensive survival guide for festivals!

About us

Written by Emma Hammett

First Aid for Life and Online First Aid provide award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs. Please visit our site and learn more about our practical and online courses. It is vital to keep your skills current and refreshed. We are currently providing essential training for individuals and groups across the UK. In addition, we have a great range of online courses. These are ideal as refreshers for regulated qualifications or as Appointed Person qualifications.

You can attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in an emergency. Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.

First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals. They will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.

First Aid for life and Online First Aid provide this information for guidance only. It is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. We are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken on this information.