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An Effective Risk Minimization Strategy Applied to an Outdoor Music Festival: A Multi-Agency Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2018

Matt Luther ,
Fergus Gardiner Open the ORCID record for Fergus Gardiner [Opens in a new window] ,
Shane Lenson ,
David Caldicott ,
Ryan Harris ,
Ryan Sabet ,
Mark Malloy  and
Jo Perkins
Matt Luther
Affiliation:
Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia St John Ambulance (ACT), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Australian Catholic University, Dickson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Fergus Gardiner*
Affiliation:
Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Shane Lenson
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University, Dickson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
David Caldicott
Affiliation:
Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Ryan Harris
Affiliation:
Youth Health Services, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Ryan Sabet
Affiliation:
Event Director, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Mark Malloy
Affiliation:
ACT Ambulance Service, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Jo Perkins
Affiliation:
St John Ambulance (ACT), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
*
Correspondence: Fergus Gardiner, BMSc, MBA, PhD(c) Emergency Department Calvary Public Hospital Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia E-mail: gus_gardiner@hotmail.com
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Specific event identifiers

a. Event type: Outdoor music festival.

b. Event onset date: December 3, 2016.

c. Location of event: Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park.

d. Geographical coordinates: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia (-35.289002, 149.131957, 600m).

e. Dates and times of observation in latitude, longitude, and elevation: December 3, 2016, 11:00-23:00.

f. Response type: Event medical support.

Abstract

Introduction

Young adult patrons are vulnerable to risk-taking behavior, including drug taking, at outdoor music festivals. Therefore, the aim of this field report is to discuss the on-site medical response during a music festival, and subsequently highlight observed strategies aimed at minimizing substance abuse harm.

Method

The observed outdoor music festival was held in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory [ACT], Australia) during the early summer of 2016, with an attendance of 23,008 patrons. First aid and on-site medical treatment data were gained from the relevant treatment area and service.

Results

The integrated first aid service provided support to 292 patients. Final analysis consisted of 286 patients’ records, with 119 (41.6%) males and 167 (58.4%) females. Results from this report indicated that drug intoxication was an observed event issue, with 15 (5.1%) treated on site and 13 emergency department (ED) presentations, primarily related to trauma or medical conditions requiring further diagnostics.

Conclusion

This report details an important public health need, which could be met by providing a coordinated approach, including a robust on-site medical service, accepting intrinsic risk-taking behavior. This may include on-site drug-checking, providing reliable information on drug content with associated education.

LutherM, GardinerF, LensonS, CaldicottD, HarrisR, SabetR, MalloyM, PerkinsJ. An Effective Risk Minimization Strategy Applied to an Outdoor Music Festival: A Multi-Agency Approach. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):220–224.

Keywords

education, pharmacyemergency medicinefestivalfirst aidrisk reduction behavior
Type
Field Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , April 2018 , pp. 220 - 224
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2018 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: none

References

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