Feeling unwell at an event is stressful. You are in an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by crowds, possibly far from your car or a comfortable place to rest. Knowing what to do, who to ask for help, and when to take action can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and something more serious.
This guide covers the most common reasons people feel unwell at events and what you should do in each situation.
Common causes of feeling unwell at events
Dehydration and heat exhaustion
By far the most common medical issue at outdoor events, particularly in summer. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and feeling faint. Your skin may feel hot and clammy, and you may stop sweating even though you are overheated.
What to do:
- Move to a shaded or cool area immediately
- Sit or lie down
- Drink water slowly. Small sips rather than gulping large amounts
- Pour cool water over your wrists, neck, and forehead if available
- Loosen or remove tight clothing
- If symptoms do not improve within 15 to 20 minutes, or if the person becomes confused, stops sweating, or loses consciousness, seek medical help immediately. Heatstroke is a medical emergency
Prevention is straightforward: drink water regularly throughout the day (at least a litre every two hours in hot weather), wear a hat, apply suncream, and take breaks in the shade. For more on this, see our guide to staying hydrated at events.
Alcohol-related illness
Events often involve drinking more than usual, particularly over a long day. Symptoms of overconsumption include nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of coordination, slurred speech, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
What to do:
- Stop drinking alcohol
- Drink water
- Eat something if you can keep it down
- Move to a quiet area and rest
- If someone is vomiting, make sure they are sitting upright or in the recovery position (on their side) to prevent choking
- If someone is unconscious or unresponsive, call for medical help immediately and place them in the recovery position
Panic attacks and anxiety
Crowded, noisy environments can trigger panic attacks, even in people who have not experienced them before. Symptoms include rapid breathing, racing heart, chest tightness, trembling, a feeling of dread or detachment, and a strong urge to escape.
What to do:
- Move away from the crowd to a quieter area
- Focus on slow, controlled breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds
- Ground yourself by focusing on physical sensations: the feel of the ground under your feet, the temperature of the air, five things you can see
- If you are with someone experiencing a panic attack, stay calm, speak quietly, and reassure them that it will pass
- Most panic attacks peak within 10 to 20 minutes and then subside
Injuries
Twisted ankles on uneven ground, cuts from dropped glass, bruises from crowd surges, and blisters from inappropriate footwear are all common at events.
What to do:
- For minor cuts and blisters, the first aid tent will clean and dress the wound
- For sprains and suspected fractures, do not try to walk on the injury. Ask someone to find a steward or call for medical assistance
- For any head injury, even if it seems minor, seek medical assessment. Concussions are not always immediately obvious
Feeling faint or actually fainting
Standing for long periods, especially in heat or a packed crowd, can cause fainting. Warning signs include tunnel vision, ringing in the ears, feeling hot and sweaty, and a sense that sounds are becoming distant.
What to do:
- If you feel faint, sit or crouch down immediately. Do not try to push through it
- If possible, lie down and elevate your legs
- Alert people around you. Saying "I need to sit down" or "I feel faint" will prompt those nearby to give you space
- If you are at the barrier of a standing area, signal to the security staff at the front. They are trained to help and will assist you over the barrier to the area behind, where medical staff are usually stationed
Finding medical help at events
Every licensed event in the UK is required to provide appropriate medical cover. Here is how to access it:
- Look for the medical tent. Marked with a red cross or green cross symbol on event maps and signage. Medical tents are staffed by trained first aiders and often by paramedics.
- Ask any steward. Stewards in high-visibility vests are positioned throughout events. They carry radios and can call for medical assistance or direct you to the nearest first aid point.
- Speak to security. Front-of-stage security are trained in basic first aid and can help people out of the crowd to get medical attention.
- Call 999 in a genuine emergency. If someone is unconscious, not breathing, having a seizure, or showing signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 999. Event medical teams are good, but they do not replace emergency services for life-threatening situations.
Medical treatment at events is free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Medical staff are there to help, regardless of the cause of your illness. Do not hesitate to seek help because you are embarrassed or think your issue is too minor. It is always better to get checked and be fine than to tough it out and get worse.
Helping someone else
If you see someone who appears unwell at an event, you can help in several ways:
- Ask if they are OK. A simple "Are you alright?" can open the door to helping someone who is struggling but reluctant to ask.
- Do not leave an unconscious person alone. Stay with them and call for help. Check that they are breathing. Place them in the recovery position (on their side, with their head tilted to keep the airway clear).
- Alert event staff. If you cannot help someone yourself, find the nearest steward, security guard, or any staff member. They can radio for medical assistance.
- Give space. If medical staff are attending to someone, move back and give them room to work. Well-meaning crowds hovering around can make things more difficult for first responders.
Knowing when to leave
Sometimes the right decision is to leave the event. If you are genuinely unwell, trying to power through often makes things worse. Trust your body. Missing the headliner is disappointing; ending up in hospital is serious.
Reasons to consider leaving include:
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
- A fever that will not come down
- An injury that limits your mobility
- Severe anxiety that is not improving with self-management
- Any symptom that is getting worse rather than better
Make sure someone knows you are leaving and how you are getting home. Do not drive if you are unwell. Call a taxi, contact a friend, or ask event staff for advice on safe transport options.
For more on keeping well at events, read our safety guide for large outdoor events and our guide to staying hydrated.
Events are meant to be enjoyed. Looking after yourself, knowing where help is, and acting early when something feels wrong means you can relax and focus on having a great time.
