Festival Season Safety – First Aid Essentials for Large Crowds

Summer in the UK means one thing: festival season. From music and food festivals to county fairs and cultural celebrations, outdoor events attract thousands of people across the country — and Essex is no exception.

While festivals bring joy, entertainment, and community spirit, they also carry significant safety challenges. When large crowds, heat, alcohol, loud environments, and unfamiliar settings come together, medical emergencies can and do happen.

At Essex First Aid & Wellbeing, we believe that proper preparation — including trained First Aiders on-site and public awareness — is key to keeping everyone safe.

In this blog, we break down the most common festival-related health risks, what First Aid provision is needed, and how attendees and organisers can be ready for anything.

Why First Aid at Festivals Matters

Crowds of any size pose unique risks:

• Delays in reaching emergency services

• Limited access to clean water, shade, and medical supplies

• Higher rates of accidents and injuries

• Greater potential for panic or confusion

A trained First Aider on-site can make the difference between a manageable situation and a critical one.

Common First Aid Incidents at Festivals

Here are the most frequent injuries and health issues that occur at UK festivals, based on both our own experience and national data:

Incident Type	Common Causes
Dehydration/Heatstroke	Sun exposure, lack of water, alcohol consumption
Cuts and abrasions	Trips, falls, broken glass, camping gear
Sprains and strains	Dancing, uneven ground, overexertion
Alcohol/drug-related illness	Overuse, mixing substances, lack of food
Burns	Campfires, cooking equipment, fireworks
Asthma attacks/allergies	Dust, hay fever, food allergens
Panic attacks or anxiety	Loud noises, crowd pressure, overstimulation
Fainting/collapsing	Exhaustion, stress, overheating

The Role of First Aid Training for Festival Staff and Volunteers

Training festival crew, stewards, and volunteers in basic First Aid and Mental Health First Aid can reduce emergency service demand and improve overall event safety.

EFAW offers:

• Emergency First Aid at Work for event teams

• Paediatric First Aid for family events

• MHFA training for stewards, welfare teams, and security staff

• Custom workshops for event organisers and volunteers

What to Include in a Festival First Aid Station

For organisers or vendors, here’s a basic First Aid checklist:

• AED (Defibrillator)

• Trauma dressings and bandages

• Cold compresses and burn dressings

• Eye wash

• PPE (gloves, face masks)

• Oral rehydration salts

• Emergency contact log

• Mental Health resource cards or helpline numbers

Our team can help you set this up, or attend on-site as part of your safety provision.

Festivals are all about freedom and fun — but they also require responsibility. A single injury, untreated panic attack, or preventable emergency can derail an otherwise incredible day.

With the right First Aid provision in place, you can ensure:

• Faster responses to medical incidents

• Safer, happier attendees

• Compliance with legal duties

• Peace of mind for staff, volunteers, and families