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.

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!

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?

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

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: 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.