Festival weather-yes, it's yet another list of do's and dont's...
You don't go to a music festival for the weather, you go for the music. As one die hard said recently
'if the weather is so important to people, then festivals in Britian
aren't for them'. Probably true, but the reality is that once you're there, whatever the weather does, you'll be affected
by it in some way. For most it's easy to cope but for some, especially those with particular needs or conditions, this can
be more of a concern.
Someone wrote on a weather forum recently '
'I have asthma to the point I go nowhere without my inhaler, though it's never that bad. Except
whenever I have been to Reading festival! I have had a nightmare the ten or so times I've been- it's the dust that causes
it. All the other festivals I go to they lay water on all the paths, but at Reading they don't (or didn't).
I've ended up in the first aid tent it's got so bad!'
And another wrote-
'My boyfriend gets an asthma attack if he hangs around a BBQ too long! You should have seen him at the Reading
Festival....he almost died on me due to BBQ smoke inhalation! One night that he turned green; we did not know he suffered
from asthma at that point but went to a pharmacy the next day and they had to give him an inhaler they were so worried! When
he got back he was diagnosed. Festival sites can be evil if you do have any breathing or lung issues!'
So take heed, if you know you are affected by certain things- pollen, smoke, excess sunshine or rain, insect bites
and so on then make sure you have what you need with you to combat these possibilities. Most sites have (and
are required to have) excellent first aid facilities now- boring yes, but better safe than sorry. We promise you'll
thank us for suggesting it when you're there!
So here are some tips on being a bit better prepared for most eventualities- (ok, yep, there are some you'll never be prepared
for..)
Hot weather
Water
- this seems so obvious yet dehydration is surprisingly easy when it's hot and your dancing a lot. You'll not
realise till you get a pounding headache and feel decidely off colour. Take lots of plastic containers and fill them up from
the taps (late at night is a good bet to save morning queues!)
Sun cream or lotion - again it seems obvious, but how often do we forget to slap it
on? You'll pay for it later. Necks and bare heads especially get a lot of sun at festivals, so be sociable and ask a
mate to slop it on - and don't forget to do the same for them!
A change of clothes -
they'll get sweaty, damp and smoky. You'll not care at 3am but the next day at 10am you'll will LOVE having a fresh set to
pull on! Trust us.
Barbie cooked food-
if you are eating food from stalls or cooking it yourself take care with food preparation. Make sure any meat is still fresh,
if in doubt ditch it. Cook it throroughly through. If in doubt - keep cooking!
Wet weather
A waterproof anorak -
after the sun can come the heavy thundery rain! Bring one or if desperate cut out a bin liner. Surprisingly effective
if all else fails.
A good pair of boots -
dont go in just your jellies- decent waterproof boots, (or even wellies) may well come in handy after a day
or so.
Other conditions-windy weather,
pollens, smoke
Any medications you need -
see above. These especially include inhalers, hayfever pills and headache tabs but insect repellant can be worthwhile too
though the smoke can be a good repellant at least for them!
Toiletries - yes guys!
A pain yes but trust us -soap, deodorant, toothbrush/paste and a small towel are worth their weight in gold, especially after
a few days if you're trying to half impress anyone!
Bring wet wipes and wash your hands-
there's a lot of crap around at festivals! If you can wash your hands or at least bring wet wipes so you can clean
up easily.
Though nearly all the major festivals have stalls selling
much of this kind of stuff now the prices are high so much better to bring them with you.
enjoy..
