Staying safe at festivals
Festivals and other big events are both exciting and intimidating, and preparation is key to both having fun and staying safe. After all, the safer everyone is, the better time all round.
Plan ahead
Drugs are likely to be more visible than anywhere you’ve been before, so have conversations beforehand with your parents and friends about how to best handle this and stay safe. - Be aware of security measures. Entry checks usually involve bag searches, but there may be sniffer dogs, metal detectors, airport-style body searches and more, and being found with something could lead to a ban (which may extend to future events run by the same organiser).
- Don’t forget the law. Possession of illegal drugs is a criminal offence, and someone who has a significant quantity on them may be considered to have intent to supply, which carries even heftier penalties. The risk of arrest, criminal charges and all associated consequences are very real.
- Pack an old (non-smart) phone and/or an amazing power bank, and check your contract for data, text and call allowances. It is important to be able to contact friends and call home if needed, but with thousands of people trying to get onto any available wifi and grab whatever mobile signal they can, not only can batteries run out quickly but it can get tricky to communicate as you normally do.
- Take a big water bottle so you don’t have to refill it frequently. Queues for water can be huge, and dehydration is dangerous in more ways than one.
- Check out the event’s website, as it will have information about what you can and can’t take in (can camping chairs be taken in? how much alcohol is allowed?), what is and isn’t there (are there showers? drug testing?), any unexpected requirements (is proof of age needed?) and you may want to print off a site map.
- Practice pitching tents and breaking camp so you know exactly what you need and what to do.
- Pack for all eventualities – waterproofs and wellies, as well as suncream and a hat, for instance. Essentials include comfortable footwear, clothing that can be layered, first aid supplies including relevant medication, head torch, ear plugs, bin bags, wet wipes… the trick is to have everything you need but no more and certainly nothing of value.
- Learn some basic first aid and know the signs of a medical emergency.
When you get there
- Pick your camping spot carefully and ensure it is distinctive – use a flag or scarf so you can identify your tent from all the others as it will otherwise look like a bewildering sea of canvas!
- Get your bearings, including where the welfare and medical areas are, just in case you need them.
- Arrange a regular meet up point and times with your friends, in case you get separated and can’t connect using your phones.
- Don’t put your wristband on your dominant hand, as this increases the risk of it falling into the toilet when wiping.
- Carry your money, phone and any other valuables in a close body bag.
- Follow the event on socials so you are alerted to anything that may impact you.
Staying safe during the event
- Stick together and look out for each other – check in regularly with anyone who has been drinking or taking drugs.
- Be aware that heat and dehydration change the effects of substances. Knowing this and harm reduction measures matters.
- Buying drugs at festivals is even riskier than would otherwise be the case, because the dealers don’t know you and don’t care.
- Use drug checking services if available, and speak to the staff in and around their tent as they are extremely knowledgeable and will have insights into substances that are circulating and issues that are arising.
- Stay calm in crowds, moving to the side if there is a surge, and generally being considerate of others.
- Plan toilet trips (they can be a walk away and the queues can be considerable; don’t be tempted to use a quiet corner of a field because it gets nasty quickly if lots of people do the same), and have head torch, tissues and hand sanitizer ready.
- If anything goes wrong for one of your group (or you notice concerning changes or behaviour in someone else), seek help from a member of staff or the medical/welfare team.
- If you don’t feel good mentally or emotionally – sometimes festivals can be overwhelming or scary, and it can feel harder to cope when everyone else seems to be having a great time – find a quieter space and someone to talk to.
- Remember the same rules apply at festivals and other events, just as they do everywhere else. There can be a great sense of freedom and cutting loose, but there are still risks, and maybe even more than would otherwise be the case.
For more information
Our FAQs on our Keep up to date page – including staying safe (#23), drugs and alcohol first aid (#18)
festivalsafe.com
Festival Safe has lots of information and advice including on alcohol and other drugs
crew.scot
Crew is a great source for harm reduction advice
Check out our information on drugs and alcohol first aid here
Download the information on this page here
