Summer is here, ushering in the unofficial festival season. Island Health has tips for festival fun to help keep the vibes high and risks low.
“Attending outdoor festivals can offer health benefits. Listening to live music can relieve stress, and dancing can improve your mood,” said Dr. Carol Fenton, medical health officer, Island Health. “It can also help social well-being if you have a good time with your friends.”
Outdoor events can also pose health risks, but with knowledge and preparation, most risks can be mitigated.
Heat
When the body heats up faster than it can cool itself, people can experience heat stress. Environmental factors that can increase the heat are direct or indirect sunlight, including the reflection off pavement; air temperature hotter than skin temperature; and high humidity, which can make it harder to cool down by sweating.
Individual/personal factors that may increase risk include excess/warm clothing, not staying hydrated, some health conditions and medications, and some substances like alcohol and MDMA. Physical activity like dancing can also increase how much heat the body produces.
Heat stress can lead to heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke. Symptoms include high body temperature, confusion, agitation, slurred speech, or irritability, change in sweating pattern, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing heart rate, and headache. If these happen, people need to immediately seek help from a first aid station.
Heat illnesses can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, protecting against sunburn, drinking plenty of water, and taking it easy during the hottest parts of the day.
Learn more about Heat Safety
Sun
Sunburn and damage can increase the risk of heat illness and is the main cause of skin aging and skin cancer. People should stay in the shade, especially between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., wearing UPF protective hats and clothing, and generously apply sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) to any exposed skin every one to two hours.
Learn more about Sun Safety
Noise
Exposure to loud noise at festivals can cause irreversible hearing loss. Don’t stand too close to the speakers and wear ear protection.
Measles
This year, there is an increase in the spread of measles in Canada, including in B.C. and Island Health. The measles vaccine is very effective at preventing illness. Getting immunized with at least two doses of measles-containing vaccine is the best way to prevent measles. People can check whether their immunizations are up to date online via Health Gateway.
Safer sex
To reduce the risk of infection, condom use is encouraged. Many festivals offer free condoms at hospitality tents or first aid booths.
Pharmacies also offer free emergency contraception which can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or failed birth control like if a condom breaks, up to five days after sexual activity.
Where to get tested:
- Find a clinic via smartsexresource.com/clinics-testing
- In Greater Victoria or Duncan, and no symptoms: GetCheckedOnline.com
- Options Telehealth service
- For ages 12-24: Island Health Youth Clinics & Foundry Virtual BC
- Or visit a family doctor, walk-in clinic or sexual health clinic
Consent to sex is a freely given enthusiastic yes, is ongoing, continuously discussed and can be taken away at any time. Even if someone has consented to sexual activity in the past, consent must be asked for each time and for each activity. There is no voluntary consent when: someone is asked repeatedly until they provide the response the person wants to hear, someone uses their power or authority to manipulate the answer, or when the person is intoxicated or incapacitated.
If someone is sexually assaulted they should go to their nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible, and connect with VictimLinkBC for information and support by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or emailing VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca.
Safer substance use
The science (Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health) shows that even small amounts of alcohol can be damaging to health. Amounts of any alcohol more than one to two drinks per week can increase health problems like injury and violence, cancer, heart diseases, and stroke.
Harm reduction services like drug checking are available at Island Health facilities and through the mail. A peer-run non-profit, WILD: Collaborative Harm Reduction Association, will be offering free, non-judgemental harm reduction services, at select festivals this summer (events listed in below).
WILD: Collaborative Harm Reduction Association at a recent local festival
For those who choose to use unregulated substances, it is recommended to:
- Have a buddy or download the free Lifeguard app
- Don’t mix substances including pharmaceuticals and alcohol
- Use less and pace yourself
- Carry Naloxone and know how to use it
- Access overdose prevention services and supervised consumption where available
- Recognize the signs of an overdose: slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to awaken, or non-responsive
If someone overdoses:
- Call 911 first
- Give one breath every five seconds
- Give Naloxone
Learn the signs of an opioid poisoning and how to respond with rescue breathing or a Naloxone kit.
Local events list
Check out a list of local events where WILD Collaborative Harm Reduction Association is offering harm reduction and/or drug-checking services.
- Pachena Bay, Bamfield July 18-20
- Sunfest, Lake Cowichan July 31-August 3
- Laketown Amphitheater, Lake Cowichan August 8-10
- Phillips Reverb Backyard Music Festival, Victoria August 8-10
- Rifflandia, Victoria September 11-14