Healthcare at Download

this is really good advice cos i doubt if anyone would rally know what to do if they witnessed someone having an epileptic fit.
 
this is something i was just wondering about but nt sure if its one of those old wives tales, so please forgive me for being a bit ignorant - but is it true if someone is having a fit you have to put something had in their mouth to stop them choking on their own tongue - like the handle of a fork- cos if you putyour fingers in their mouth theyre likely to bite fingers off???
 
again sorry if im being ignorant on this, oh you mentioned GENTLY holding limbs, what about securing the head from thrashing about?? or should we just put padding (jacket etc) underneath???

Yes that is an old wives tale. It is impossible to swallow your tongue. Its one of those old wives tales that has been around for ages and causes well-meaning people to do ill-advised things.

Usually holding their limbs puts a stop to the thrashing around but the head also jerks around so putting something soft under the head will most definitely help. With epileptic seizures, one of the most important things to do is to make sure the person doesnt bang their head.

Honesty is not ALWAYS the best policy.

thanks for that hun  its one of those things that unless you know someone with the condition, or unless someone tells you what to do/expect you really could do more harm than good.
 
its usefull to know in everyday life as well.  I feel i know more than i did and confidant enough that if i were to witness this in my town centre id be able to help, even if its just offering my jacket to go under the head and call for medical assistance  good stuff x

wow there's nothing like planning for a festival to make you realise how little you know about medical conditions! i certainly wouldnt have been able to recognise an epileptic fit or probably even someone suffering from low blood sugar!
 
this has been really helpful guys thanks a lot!
 
i dont suffer from any medical conditions but i like to think now i can help in whatever way i can if anyone's in trouble.
 
a quick note on sunstroke aswell guys - its AWFUL. i got it REAL bad in 07 and nearly missed MH and Slayer because of it. stay hydrated and wear a god damn hat!

LET FREEDOM RING WITH A SHOTGUN BLAST.

i suggest not holding down limbs at all!  rather guide there limbs as u may cause injury to said person.  try and protect the head and wotever you do dont put ur hands or fingers in there mouth as they may clamp down on you. x [8D]

I always thought the best method is clear the area, protect the head where possible and don't put your hand in their mouth. Also, not sure if it's mentioned, is treating burns on there?

ORIGINAL: Bleedmeister

Yes that is an old wives tale. It is impossible to swallow your tongue. Its one of those old wives tales that has been around for ages and causes well-meaning people to do ill-advised things.

 
Yes, it is impossible to actually swollow your tongue, but it can choke you,
as my boss and friend died because he had an epileptic fit and the term the paramedics used was
"he died because he swollowed his tongue"
 
and one of my close friends suffers for epilepsy, luckily she had a fit while she was at
home when i was there, but i was lucky to have her father in the house too,
he showed me what to do,
he did not put his fingers in her mouth because he said that she could bite them,
but what he did was move everything out of the way
and turned her onto her side like in the recovery possition,
because he said "there's less chance of her choking on her tongue"
 
and then left her to finish fitting,
the paramedics were called and they said he obviously knows what he's doing
as she had been a sufferer since she was a child..
 
you do not hold down their limbs or put your hands anywhere near their mouth,
just turn them on there side, make sure their head
is supported then leave them to stop fitting.
 
 

Thanks for this.. very handy.

I find this stuff really good for hangovers, especially if I remember to have one before I  go to bed, and then if necessary, one the morning after too:

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/pics/products/2108/2/Resolve_10x.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_2108_resolve-10x.html&usg=__1QR6o67hIbyMEMnDFrOzyx5a-QM=&h=285&w=220&sz=22&hl=en&start=2&sig2=GEvLqhgyTOpm0S6_vH1rJQ&um=1&tbnid=q-6wBiVMVl1p-M:&tbnh=115&tbnw=89&ei=W0mySbmpNIPL-Aa02tGBAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dresolve%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUK254%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1

I don't suffer so much with headaches, more queasiness and nausea.. but this seems to work

.... although nothing can beat lots of water before bed, and a good night's sleep!

my brother is going to download for the first time this year, but he is a type 1 diabetic, i dont live with him so  im not sure how most of it works, but im worried about his insulin pens? dont they have to be at a certain temperature, as he keeps them in the fridge at home. he gets quite ill quite fast when he misses one, whats the best advice i can give him?

red 2009

Make sure he takes spare insulin (cartridges, pen and needles!), make sure his friends know he's diabetic...some sort of warning bracelet may be useful for if he gets separated.

The medics have facilities for storing medication in a fridge at their medical centre in the Village, and would be quite happy for him to store spare insulin there if needed.

hay also if anyone in your group does actually have some sort of first aid knowledge then let your group know so they know who to ask for help if needed.

my friend we took last year is type 1 and he had a braclet on him at all times and his pen also he kept a spare one in the car always good to have 2 pens not 1

my friend also has in his case the amount of insulin writen on paper that he needed in case there was an emergeny and medical staff needed to help him dnt know if this helps
 
edit lol
 
i was ment 2 say about the medical help bit but forgot

Life is always worth living no matter how hard it gets.

Blue camp 07 blue camp 08 roll on blue camp 09.

A small note to add, if your friends have any allergies, food, bees anything like that and they have a syringe for anaphylactic shock - make sure they have told you how to use it as the reaction can be fast, and indeed if you have an allergy be sure they know what to do as it can occur quickly and be un expected!

I shall be training my friend lol

awesome thread.
It's made me realise that I need to get a first aid pack sorted! 
Plus i'm trained in basic first aid from my courses at Liverpool Football Club so i'm sure they'll come in handy, incase they're needed (hopefully not)

OK, Taznemo, and everyone else considering it. If a friend has diabetes and gets in an emergency, NEVER, EVER,EVER give them insulin. (Unless your a doctor) THis is because it is terribly easy to mis-diagnose the symptoms, and if you give insulin to a person with a low blood sugar, you could easily make them A LOT worse. As a diabetic for 20 ish years, i have first hand expierance with that. As i said previously, CONTACT THE MEDICAL STAFF!!!!!! :)
 
Apart from all that, storing a spare set of insulin in the car, or in the med teams tent is a pretty savvy idea, i always store mine in the car.
 
As always, great thread though and great advice ont he epilepsy bit.
 
:-D

some kind of chapstick for your lips, last year my lips were so sore, the dust drys them out

ORIGINAL: Bloodred Nemesis

The 2006 generation of Boardies are blatantly the most pwn.

www.myspace.com/twisted_past

ORIGINAL: SYCORAX1985

good point i am also a diabetic and lucky enough my friends have been briefed many a times before festivals by me but cant stress it enough if you do not know what to do do not **** around get help it is very serious

I am diabetic also.. but 2 not 1.
So I am treated different [8D] I get run down and tired quick and need to be left alone if I am tired. HAHA... But yes seriously thos - if your levels drop which they do tend to do if your out all day at a gig or festival. You  do need to be mindful of this and make sure you have snacks with you or your mates do. I have to eat regular meals and I am faint/Headaches in the morning/ if I do not eat breakfast.

Most diabetics know how to treat themselves as said. They will just need help getting to somewhere to get food if they start to drop to much or someone will need to cook them something if they are feeling a bit bad..
 
I know with me - I am always getting ppl saying - come on have a drink... I may have been drinking earlier in the day or at the party etc.. but being diabetic you can not just keep going. You need to stop for food - have a rest - if  you get tired then game over for me at least.. then I need to rest up and get food and go to bed.
 
Festivals are hard sometimes as I am not always up for the crack ! all the time.

   

hey im abit concerned about this sunburn business. I have a olive skin, quite dark and i never burn.. ive been to st lucia and thailand and didnt apply sun cream or anything or even wear a hat and i didnt burn. But im definately going to take some suncream download with me but what factor should i take seeing as i dont usually burn? (theres always a first lol so im gonna be sensible and take something) and because ive never worn suncream im uneducated in factors haha. Also where can i get a cheap little first aid kit? wilko's or something?

thanks

will i have light skin and i dont tan, i just burn. when i take sunscreen, its the larger the screening factor the better.

8 or 15 should do it - you should know your own skin tho.

   

think myns something like 40 or 60

ORIGINAL: Dazman222

Right guys. A note for all of you who come into contact with a Diabetic at the festival. (i e me, plus prob a few hundred others)  If they happen to become ill through thier diabetes, get medical attention IMMEDIATLY. Do not attempt to give them anything, especially if they are unconcious. You will most likely do more harm then good.
A few things to look out for to help your diabetic friends though.

1) If they start looking really pale, and their hands start shaking, help them to somewhere where they can get some food, something sugary but small to start off with (example...a mars bar), then something long acting, things like chips, pasta dishes ect. Under no circumstances should you force the to eat anything, they will know what they need but may just need help getting it.

2)As i said, if found unconcious, get medical assitance ASAP. dont f*"k around with this one, they may well be heading for a coma or worse, so get it sorted!!!!

3) If the diabetic person starts to complain of headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to bright lights, bad breath , then they may well have TOO MUCH sugar. At which case you may well need to get them up and moving, play a game of foot ball or something, burn some energy. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you give them an extra insulin injection. Someone done thins to me once and almost killed me!

4) before coming to the festival, make sure they have packed a blood sugar monitor, and their insulin pens, plus spares of both to leave in the car incase of damage. This is a MUST!!!!


So as i keep repeating, if you really aren't sure what to do, dont f*"k around, get help!!!!


Any questions , message me back!! :):)

i was diagnosed type one this year, so this will be my first download as a diabeticcc ! i think this should be added to the original post as its all good advice :}

quick question,

IF i managed to lose my anti-depressents and needed more (which i would... stopping them suddenly is BAD news) would i be able to get them anywhere at download? Are there any walkin center's or pharmacy's near by? I'm just thinking worse case scenario [X(]

CAMP CLITTER!!

So few people take first aid type things with them! This is all great advice.

In 06 my ex bf had sunstroke, hayfever and his asthma was bad. We ended up going to the pharmacy in Donington village. They were really helpful and gave us advice on what he should take etc and it made the rest of the weekend muchos more fun for both of us

I'd like to add, please don't attempt CPR if you don't know what you're doing. Chances are, there'll be someone quite nearby who does.

I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit.
But now I'm not legit. I'm unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit.

I always take first aid stuff with me I have all sorts of stuff like headache tablets, hayfever tablets etc.

For hayfever sufferers:

Superdrug currently have a load of stuff on Buy One Get One Free, and included in this is a pack of non-drowsy hayfever tablets. 14 to a pack, and they're £1.85 each - I've bought four packs (well, two, the other two were free [8D]) which should last me right through to Download.

I suffered from really bad vertigo just at gigs/festivals last year I was in a bad state with it i only bothered to do anything about it when it dawned on me that I would not be able to carry my gear, that and asthma apparently (only got diagnosed with that after the festival because I still couldn't walk straight or breath right when I got home) - the doctor said the noise and lights triggered the vertigo.  There are pills that help, but find they make me a bit drowsy so I just take them in case I am really bad, otherwise I just sway with the music. 

Does anyone else have this problem?

that pretty good advice nice to know someone cares
 

Some great advice on here, thanx guys, i'm just going to sit and write a wee list of healthcare essentials, so me and my son are not cought off guard. cheers.

I've got to teach my friends to use my epipens in case anything happens.

this is reli hopefull
 
sunstroke was my big prob tbh

I'm diabetic type 1. Knowing how rough low sugars can leave you, make sure you look after yourself as best as possible, being sensible when it comes to eating, drinking, and making sure injections are done! Also make sure your friends or whoever you're going with know how to deal with low sugars or stroppy diabetics. From past experience, low sugars at festivals are very disorientating and can be quite scary. Being drunk will not/did not help. 2007 being my first Download experience, finding out that the Medical tent was easy to find, and the people were really helpful in having somewhere to go take injections as its a hell of a lot easier sat in a little cubicle rather than in a bustling field of people.

ORIGINAL: xXMessedUpXx

quick question,

IF i managed to lose my anti-depressents and needed more (which i would... stopping them suddenly is BAD news) would i be able to get them anywhere at download? Are there any walkin center's or pharmacy's near by? I'm just thinking worse case scenario [X(]

 
I live pretty close to donington- you are probably ten mins drive from the nearest town big enough to have a docs/clinic/pharmacy in (Clifton) assuming you have a car to get there in - bit longer by bus link if not. From what I remember in previous years there isn't any dispensing pharmacy on site...

As far as lost medication is concerned, the medics in the Village would be your best starting point.

If they do not have what you need, they will be able to make sensible suggestions as to how best to replace your medication; this may include getting it ordered in for you, sorting out a prescription from the local pharmacy, or getting someone from home to post some to site by special delivery overnight (all things that have been done in the past).

ORIGINAL: Dazman222

Right guys. A note for all of you who come into contact with a Diabetic at the festival. (i e me, plus prob a few hundred others)  If they happen to become ill through thier diabetes, get medical attention IMMEDIATLY. Do not attempt to give them anything, especially if they are unconcious. You will most likely do more harm then good.
A few things to look out for to help your diabetic friends though.

1) If they start looking really pale, and their hands start shaking, help them to somewhere where they can get some food, something sugary but small to start off with (example...a mars bar), then something long acting, things like chips, pasta dishes ect. Under no circumstances should you force the to eat anything, they will know what they need but may just need help getting it.

2)As i said, if found unconcious, get medical assitance ASAP. dont f*"k around with this one, they may well be heading for a coma or worse, so get it sorted!!!!

3) If the diabetic person starts to complain of headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to bright lights, bad breath , then they may well have TOO MUCH sugar. At which case you may well need to get them up and moving, play a game of foot ball or something, burn some energy. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you give them an extra insulin injection. Someone done thins to me once and almost killed me!

4) before coming to the festival, make sure they have packed a blood sugar monitor, and their insulin pens, plus spares of both to leave in the car incase of damage. This is a MUST!!!!


So as i keep repeating, if you really aren't sure what to do, dont f*"k around, get help!!!!


Any questions , message me back!! :):)

This is great information for anyone going with Diabetics. I'm Type 1 myself and this is my first year camping, i've even made sure the people I'm going with have read it.
  And definately bear the last bit in mind, if you have no idea what to do, get help as quick as possible!

No worries dude, im here to help after all. I post the same sorta help thingy about this every year since 2005, and always gets deleted every year too when the boards move servers, so im always a newbie on the boards!! Blows!!!! lol. Any questions what so ever about diabetes care, advice or suggestions, feel free to contact me. :)

ORIGINAL: Dazman222

No worries dude, im here to help after all. I post the same sorta help thingy about this every year since 2005, and always gets deleted every year too when the boards move servers, so im always a newbie on the boards!! Blows!!!! lol. Any questions what so ever about diabetes care, advice or suggestions, feel free to contact me. :)

  If you make it known to one of the mods after the festival then they will save it and repost it - Do not assume we know about it or will automatically keep it.. just let us know and when we move the servers we can store this.
Yes its good info as I am also Diabetic.
 
CX

   

Cool, might just do that one day Jez. :)

awesome guide one thing aswell with painkillers and other tablets/medication make sure that your not overly intoxicated when takeing them as some do have really negative effects when mixed with alcohol common sence really tho

I'm a qulaified first aider and found this post really useful. I agree though that if your not a first aider please try and get someone who is to help you. Anyone who does not know what they are doing may make things worse.
Going to make my list of first aid items that I need to take including some platic gloves because you also need to protect yourself whilst treating others.

Again this is a great post and will probably print it out and put it with my first aid kit just in case.

Cheers