On Harm Reduction
Photograph: The Bunk Police
Regardless of your personal habits, drug use can be prevalent at festivals. It's important to know the location of medical tents, to pay attention to your surroundings, and to look out for your fellow festival attendees the way you'd want them to look out for you.
I highly recommend getting trained in administering naloxone (Narcan). It prevents opioid overdose, and it's easy to obtain training and the medicine itself for cheap. I took mine through EndOverdose online. It took half an hour and cost $5. I liken it to knowing CPR or choking rescue; you hope you never have to use it, but it's really good to have the knowledge just in case.
I also recommend looking into drug testing kits. You can obtain these from The Bunk Police and DanceSafe. Fentanyl testing strips are affordable, and it takes little time to test any substances that may be around. Some festivals have vendor tents that will test substances with amnesty. It doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Finally, I recommend signing up for alerts from BunkBot when applicable. It's an emergency alert system that texts folks if dangerous substances are found. It adds another layer of harm reduction and helps you be extra alert when needed.
Stick Together
Since phone service can be spotty at festivals, and not everybody has a smartwatch, the buddy system is invaluable. My group sticks together when possible, and if someone has to separate, they make sure someone in the system knows where they're going. We also designate a meetup spot, both inside the festival grounds and outside of the gates, in case of emergencies. Pay attention to your surroundings, and don't be afraid to contact festival volunteers or employees if you need assistance.
Unfortunately, pickpocketing does happen. Make sure to set up stolen device protection on your compatible iPhone or Android phone. You might also want to set up a few Bluetooth trackers for your wallet, bag, or other necessities. Most major festivals have a dedicated lost-and-found program. Review the details of it before you arrive so you're familiar if need be.
Just for Fun
... continue reading