Hey i'm a paramedic, but i may be a little drunk at times!! but if you collapse near me i should be able to help a little!!   
Agreed with *red* don't attempt wierd first aid manouvers if you don't know what your doing, it might get you arrested!  
It is a good thread, and should prove helpful.

Don't often post on here but noticed this thread - wondered where is the best place to store my medication + my hubby's? we have to take anti-depressants + anti-convulsants X2 a day and vitally important we don't miss doses (nasty side effects, I could end up having fits even though I'm not epileptic!). I was thinking of getting a locker and keeping them in there, is that the best idea?

Also, how do security react when they come across the meds in a bag search? I will keep all pills in their original packaging with the pharmacy labels on stating who it is prescribed for, but I will have to carry some diazepam around with me for panic/anxiety for worse case scenarios and I'm concerned the security staff may think I'm a druggie or dealer & take it off me! :(

xx

Just wanted to say that I'm a little worried by the amount of posts I've read around the forum with people saying they're going to leave their sun cream and such at home since it looks like it will be raining.

Idiots!

Standing around all day even in cloud and rain can STILL get you burnt. The sun is still very hot and if you look on metcheck along with the weather, the UV rays are still up to 7 or 8 on some days and others around 4 or 5 (that is out of 10 btw, so you can still get very burnt)

PLEEEEAAASE take sun cream along with your wellies!!! Don't be dumb!

Also another thing I just thought of- even if your not a first aider and see someone fall pick them up! If they have fainted the best thing to do is get some people to help you lift them up and get them to the front. There are firstaiders at the front and they will know what to do. It happened a few times last year and as soon as I lifted them up the air hit them and woke them up .
They may not at first appreciate being moved from the front but if they are unconscious it's the best thing you can do.

And if someone generall falls pick them up. I have dyspraxia and fall alot. I fell at download last year and had a few occasions when people trampled all over me. I know it's difficult but look out for others- you never know when it may be you!

Some tips for you;
 
* When hung over, drink one of the fruit smoothies.. honestly, they saved my life last year.  Caffeine is bad, and considering how high temperatures can be, you don't want a bad headache.
 
* Buy a cowboy hat or something and sunglasses, they're legend for the sun.
 
* Use the times where you can't be arsed seeing a band to top up your water supplies.
 
* Before you get too drunk (if you ever get sober) hide some money so you don't spend it, especially if you're one of these idiots who pay for a clump of mud or a kiss or something.
 
* Have a biiiig crap every morning, try using something to enhance its effect.
 
* Take some bin bags.  I know it may seem like you can't be arsed, but it soon becomes too much to bare.  You can pick up sanitary gloves in welfare if you're desperate, but try and take your own because they can be a bit shirty.
 
* It's up to you, but some times it's better buying crates up there, it makes your shopping before hand and journey up there less hassle.
 
* Eat well, it means you can drink a lot more and stay awake more (there's nothing "hardcore" about passing out and being a lightweight at a festival)
 
* Wear a bandana over your mouth when walking to the main arena, it helps you from getting throat infections and it also helps you when you want to sing along to bands when you see them.
 
* For God's sake, don't forget to put sun cream on (and don't let your mate have some, because they'll empty the contents of the bottle all down your back and on your hat, if they're an utter dick.
 
 
Just thought I'd give my two cents. ;)
 
 

i ended up with bad blisters on my heels cause im a nob & wore new trainers so blister plasters are a must in my download pack now just in case

Im taking old trainers so wont have to worry about blisters hopefully, might take my old wellies if it looks like rain, lots of socks aswell.
 
Cowboy hat or sombrero would be a good idea. Sun-cream too, Ive had sun stoke and it was awfull.

Im having a worry Thing is im rocking a huge scar on my chest (from hart op) and this year I intend to kinda strip off more in the sun now am not fat and am kinda proud of what ive done and accomplished.

So am kinda worried about how the sun and its radiation will affect it with it been baby soft kinda skin and if its a good idea i will use sun cream anyway.

I did see a few girls with low cut tops and them rocking a big scar like my to but cos i really freak out around girls that I dont know i didnt say or ask anything.

so what can people suggest and all that jazz  

please to anyone thinking about leaving sun cream at home DON'T DO IT!! and please take a hat or something..ever last person i was with last year had a burnt nose...even if the hats just on when waiting for the next band!!

I've read this entire topic and have found it to be very helpful. I'm a first aider due to my line of work and the advice on here is great. Some stuff I didn't know myself.

One thing I didn't spot is advice on choking. If you experience a situation where someone may have something lodged in their throat, follow these steps:

1) As with all first aid situations GET SOMEONE TO SEEK HELP. Even if its over when the medical staff arrive, you'll be thankful to see them. Also with first aid, don't put yourself in danger. I doubt such dangers will present themselves at Download or indeed any festival or concert but always make sure of that.

2) Give up to 5 back slaps with the palm of your hand to the centre of the back between the shoulder blades. After each blow, either yourself or someone else check the casualtys mouth to see if the object has become dislodged. If not, carry on to step 2. 

3) Give up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Place a clenched fist between the belly button and the bottom of the breast bone and pull inwards and upwards. Again check the mouth after each one. If these steps do not work, redo the process until medical assistance arrives.

Other random advice I can give through my own experiences at Download:

*If someone looks upset or is crying, there is nothing wrong with asking if they are OK. Look out for others.

* If you see someone clutching their leg or arm and appear in pain, offer them assistance to the medical tent.

*And finally, whilst moshing your heart out in the insane pits, if someone goes down, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO???

Good advice. I had really bad hay fever back in '07 and forgot to take any medication with me :( But luckily the couple pitched next to me in the campsite helped me out. Won't make the same mistake again though!

Great post.

I thought I'd post a link to the symptoms for sun stroke as it can have a rapid onset and the sufferer might not notice until they're well on the way.

Regarding sun screen.  Weather sites, such as Metcheck and  the BBC had the weekend last year as overcast and raining.  This was true right up until I left at 2am on the Thursday morning to head to the camp site.  Lo and behold, the sun was beating down like a MMA in the octagon.  I'd take it, even if the reports say it'll be teeming down.  It's a deffo must pack item.  Also, check you have packed the good old sunglasses and make sure they have UVA/B protection.  A mate of mine didn't and, after squinting in the daylight for a couple of days, ended up with itchy eyes.  A few eye drops helped but it would seem he had mild sun burn to his peepers!

For what it's worth, I noticed folks lying passed out on the grass in the blazing sun, gently cooking.  Lots of people passed by, but no one stopped to check if they were okay.

Top tip - If you see someone snoozing on the grass when on your way to get a beer/burger, and they're still there on the way back, give them a gentle nudge on the foot and see if they're alright.  No need to be their keeper for the weekend, but a quick tap on the leg and asking if they're feeling okay just might help someone's weekend turning from the best time of their lives into a frigging nightmare.

I didn't get a single bit of grief doing this and some were very appreciative as they hadn't realised they'd been asleep in the sun for quite so long.

It's all down to looking after each other.  For those who were rudely awakened by a hairy Scotsman asking if they were fine, it was possibly me

cheers for the info!

Hey

I found NoRinse waterless bathing product on e-festivals, and tried them in my tent, their a god send. Their liquids so you basically put it on, rub into the area ( I bought shampoo and body wash) and towel dry. I take it to every festival now. :-)

http://www.efestivals.co....;highlite=%2Bwaterless

or their website is www.norinse.co.uk

Sick, nice one for all posts dudes, I'm not gonna take any chances with 1: sun burn as last year were murder, and hangovers, touch wood past 3 years I just don't seem to get hangovers at festivals, but i think i'm gonna go with this berocca idea i've seen floatin about, that mixed with hair of dog, best!

Omega500

Im having a worry Thing is im rocking a huge scar on my chest (from hart op) and this year I intend to kinda strip off more in the sun now am not fat and am kinda proud of what ive done and accomplished.

So am kinda worried about how the sun and its radiation will affect it with it been baby soft kinda skin and if its a good idea i will use sun cream anyway.

I did see a few girls with low cut tops and them rocking a big scar like my to but cos i really freak out around girls that I dont know i didnt say or ask anything.

so what can people suggest and all that jazz  

I know this is a late reply but i have visible scars from ops, when i had the the specialist told me to try and cover the scar as much as possible and if i wanted to be in the sun use the highest factor suncream i could find as the sun can make the scar worse in the long run :)

Bleedmeister

Okay, this is the basic medicalert symbol http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/nonepilepticseizures/?action=view&current=emblem.jpg and that coupled with the words "epilepsy sufferer" on a bracelet is the basic alert to epilepsy. There is also the Lavender symbol which is basically a cancer awareness ribbon except that it is lilac. The symbol can be a charm on a bracelet or something like that.

Really, the only difference between epileptic seizures and drugs induced seizures is the bracelet or someone nearby who knows the person and can tell you whether they have epilepsy or not.

Symptoms: Loss of consciousness, shaking of limbs, eyes roll back into head, choking-like noises coming from their throat.

If you see someone who is having a seizure, make sure that they do not hit their head on anything as this can increase the amount of time they are having the seizure and therefore prolong the time that oxygen is not getting to their brain. Also make sure that nothing is obstructing their breathing. If they are thrashing about wildly, then it is a good idea to hold their arms or legs gently so they dont hurt themselves.

IF A SEIZURE LASTS MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES CALL AN AMBULANCE

When they come out of the seizure, their speaking will be slurred and they will most likely drift in and out of consciousness, not know where they are or be panicky. Best thing is to stay calm, give them a glass of water and try to obtain from them if they need any special attention as every epileptic is different with their medication.

Regarding the above message I am a nurse in a Neuro setting the information below has been issued by the Epilepsy Society, people having a fit should not be restrained, due to risk of injury to themselves or persons restraining them.
 
 

What to do during the seizure:

• try to stay calm;

• check the time to see how long the seizure

is going on for (because there may be a

risk of status )

• move objects, such as furniture, away

from the person if they might hurt

themselves. Only move them if they are in

a dangerous place; for example, at the top

their head, or cup their head in your hands,

happen;

is no danger of them swallowing their

tongue during the seizure; and

• try to stop other people from crowding

around.

A*J

Omega500

Im having a worry Thing is im rocking a huge scar on my chest (from hart op) and this year I intend to kinda strip off more in the sun now am not fat and am kinda proud of what ive done and accomplished.

So am kinda worried about how the sun and its radiation will affect it with it been baby soft kinda skin and if its a good idea i will use sun cream anyway.

I did see a few girls with low cut tops and them rocking a big scar like my to but cos i really freak out around girls that I dont know i didnt say or ask anything.

so what can people suggest and all that jazz  

Hi, I have a Heart op scar as well, last year (09) i was wearing low cut tops all wkend, I used factor 50 sunscreen and my scar was fine. I also used vitimin E cream at night. 

a friend of ours is a trainee doc and said when people come into a and e with alcohol poisoning they get some sort of vitamin b intravenously. so he advised us (for the huge amount of alcohol being consumed at download) to take some vitamin b tablets. nt sure how much it'll help but willing to try it to stop any bad effects.

thats some great info.. Id like to add get some factor 50  ((BOYS ESPECIALLY) and put it on your face!!
 all  my mates burnt their faces becuase of no suncream and no hats..!!

stupid really..

some foundation has spf in it!! thats got to be a positive!!

Rxx