Music Festival Tips: 9 Ways To Stay Safe This Summer

As the summer approaches, many music lovers will be making their way to various festivals around the country including Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, The Meadows, Governor’s Ball and Lollapalooza.

With these festivals taking place during some of the hottest days of the year, Alex Pollak, the CEO and founder of ParaDocs Worldwide — which provides medical services to events — gave International Business Times some tips to keep yourself safe this summer.

1. Stay Hydrated

Temperatures during festivals can get close to the hundreds, so Pollak stresses that staying hydrated is the most important step you should take. “We always recommend that people stay hydrated by drinking lots of water or Gatorade or Pedialyte — electrolyte-filled beverages.” Pollak also recommends taking advantage of the free water refill stations that are located throughout many festivals nowadays and bringing your own water bottle, which many festivals do allow.

2. Protect Yourself From The Sun

As many festivals last from the early afternoon to night, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in the sun. Pollak recommends look for shaded areas, telling IBT, “Many festivals that we work at — including our medical tents — have shaded areas.” As for staying protected from the sun, Pollak recommends SPF 50 or higher and says to have some lip balm with SPF on hand as well.

3. Bring The Right Set Of Clothes

While putting on your best festival outfit may seem fun the day before the festival starts, Pollak reminds people to bring layers of clothes for when it gets cooler at night. “I tell my staff and I tell festival-goers bring layers of clothes so they can always put something on,” he said. “I see a lot of people in tank-tops or bikinis. I think it’s important they bring layers of clothes for later in the evening.”

The CEO also tends to see a lot of people not wearing shoes during festivals, which he calls a “terrible idea” because there may be glass or debris on the floor. And since you’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing, Pollak advises that you wear a comfortable pair of shoes.

As for dealing with the heat, workout gear that wicks sweat such as Nike’s Dri-Fit clothes or Under Armour’s HeatGear are good choices to wear.

4. Bring Cash

Millennials may decide to leave their cash in their bank accounts and only carry around credit cards. While some festivals have gone cashless and now allow you to load money onto wristbands, Pollak advises that you also bring some cash in case of an emergency. “I think it's always important to have a little bit of pocket change or cash on you,” he told IBT.

5. Have A Buddy System

Not all festivals last only one day. For festivals such as Bonnaroo and Firefly, which allow guests to camp overnight, Pollak recommends parking your vehicle near a lamppost or landmark — something you can easily find at night. But if that’s not an option, Pollak says to create a meeting spot with your friends and make sure you have a buddy system. “Going to a festival in a group and having some friends and creating a buddy system where people are responsible for each other is helpful,” he said.

A buddy system can also come in handy during times when you don’t feel well. If you feel dehydrated or think you may faint, Pollak says to tell your friends and let them know what is going on.

6. Write Down Your Emergency Contacts

Pollak likes the idea of festival-goers having what he calls a “festival dogtag” — somewhere where they can write down their emergency contacts, things their allergic to and more. “Too few people do this and it’s super important to me because it helps with the care and we have rapid response time.”

7. Don’t Be Afraid To Visit The Medical Tent

While a trip to your local hospital may be costly, Pollak said the medical tents you see located throughout festivals offer free care. “We are paid by the festival and therefore any medical care [you] receive at a festival is free,” he said. “Don’t be scared to see us or come to us if you have a headache, you’re a little dehydrated or nauseous.”

Pollak also wants attendees to know that ParaDocs Worldwide hires local staff medical staff and doctors, meaning that his medical tents are well-equipped to handle a number of problems without having to send you to the hospital.

8. Stay Safe While Drinking Alcohol

Everyone wants to have a good time at festivals but if you’re going to be drinking alcohol or liquor, Pollak says to keep a one-to-one ratio in mind. The ParaDocs founder advised to have “a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage or maybe even two.”

9. Avoid MDMA

According to Pollak, he has seen an increase in MDMA usage at festivals and advises festival-goers to stay away from the drug. “That definitely can cause fatally high core body temperatures. We definitely recommend 100 percent against that.”