Attending concerts and music festivals can be a perfect way to enjoy yourself: hearing songs you love, spending time with friends, and meeting like-minded people. Yet they can also be dangerous.
Drug use, respiratory viruses, and crowds put attendees at risk—and at outdoor festivals, high temperatures can be deadly. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stay safe.
Read on to learn how you can plan ahead for a safer concert or music festival experience.
Make informed decisions about drug use
Music events like festivals and concerts are associated with higher-risk drug use behaviors, making overdose deaths more likely. Using harm reduction tools can reduce the risk of overdosing.
Drug test strips help people determine whether their drugs contain fentanyl or xylazine—two potent substances that increase the risk of overdose and are often unknowingly mixed with other drugs—such as cocaine, Adderall, and opioids, which are commonly used at music festivals.
These strips of paper can be purchased online and may be available for free through harm reduction programs.
Make sure drug test strips are legal in your state and in the state where you’ll be attending your event before purchasing and carrying them. Learn how to use fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips from NYC Health.
Carry naloxone
Naloxone—often sold under the brand name Narcan—is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and can be administered by any bystander. You can get naloxone for free from harm reduction programs in your area, or you can purchase it over the counter at pharmacies and some grocery and convenience stores. It may also be available at your event’s medical tent.
Some harm reduction programs like This Must Be The Place and End Overdose partner with music festivals and concerts and distribute naloxone to attendees. You can find out if either of these groups will be at your event by checking tour sections on their websites.
Learn how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and learn how to use naloxone from the American Medical Association.
Know what to do during a “crowd crush”
“Crowd crush” describes what happens when people are packed so closely together that no one can move. This can lead to feeling cramped as well as airway restriction, making it difficult to breathe.
If you’re unable to move in a crowd at a concert or festival or you’re caught in a stampede, the CDC recommends that you keep your hands in front of your chest, don’t resist the force of the crowd, and try to stay on your feet. If you fall and are unable to get up, curl into a ball until you’re able to stand again. When there is a lull in movement, work your way diagonally to the edge of the crowd.
Wear a mask
Wearing a mask reduces the risk of contracting and spreading respiratory viruses everywhere—including at crowded events. This is especially important as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise and cause severe illness, death, and long-term health complications.
N95 and KN95 masks offer the best protection.
Prepare for heat
Global temperatures have reached an all-time high, causing an increase in heat-related deaths.
Prolonged time outdoors at a festival can put you at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While heat exhaustion can cause weakness, muscle cramps, and dizziness, heat stroke can cause confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures and requires immediate medical attention.
People who use drugs like opioids, cocaine, and ecstasy may be more sensitive to heat exposure because these substances can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Some psychiatric medications can also make people more susceptible to heat-related illness.
You can prevent heat-related illness by seeking shade whenever possible, drinking water and electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated, and eliminating or limiting alcoholic beverages.
Most large music events have medical tents staffed with health care providers. If you or someone nearby starts feeling dizzy, nauseous, or confused, seek help at the medical tent right away.
Protect yourself from the sun
Being outdoors in the heat can also result in sunburn, which can be painful and may require medical treatment if severe. Moreover, a bad sunburn can cause sun poisoning, a reaction that can include fever, chills, dizziness, and other symptoms.
To reduce your risk of sunburn, use a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays) and with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours.
Wearing sunglasses will protect your eyes from UV rays, and a wide-brimmed hat can provide additional protection for your head, face, and neck.
For added safety, make sure your phone is fully charged, you know where exits are located, and you have a designated meeting spot in case you become separated from your group. Security personnel can also provide help or information.