NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (July 8, 2019) — Every year, good music, tasty food, fun rides and games draw large crowds across the region. Although fun, these outdoor summer events can present certain preventable health and safety hazards. Mobile Life Support Services, the largest emergency medical service provider in the Hudson Valley, offers tips for concertgoers and festival and fair attendees to stay safe and healthy.
When outdoors, it’s important to stay hydrated – especially during the heat of summer. As the body sweats, it loses water and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium which are vital to the proper functionality of the human body. Without replenishing those lost nutrients, individuals can suffer electrolyte imbalances which may cause confusion, cardiac arrhythmia, syncope, muscle weakness or spasms, respiratory distress and, in some severe cases, kidney dysfunction and even death. Additionally, an electrolyte imbalance coupled with stimulants such as alcohol or other drugs can raise one’s body temperature, leading to a dangerous condition known as hyperthermia. The combination of hyperthermia and electrolyte imbalance can cause organs in the body, including the brain, to shut down.
Mobile Life encourages residents to adhere to the following safety precautions when attending any outdoor events or festivals this summer:
• Don’t underestimate the importance of water. Being outside in the heat takes a toll on the body. Replenish with water consistently; keep a few bottles handy and take advantage of any free water refill stations located throughout the concert or festival grounds.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is a great technique to be prepared for all-day weather, including cooler nights. Outdoor events often require a decent amount of walking, so a comfortable pair of shoes is also recommended.
• Look for shaded areas. In addition to using sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30, look for shaded areas, such as tents, to escape the sun throughout the day. Be sure to reapply sunscreen as directed.
• Use the buddy system. When traveling across fairgrounds, even to and from the bathroom during a concert, using the buddy system will improve your safety. Let a buddy know if you feel dehydrated and may faint.
• Don’t be afraid to visit the medical tent. A trip to the hospital may be costly, but medical tents located at outdoor events offer free care. Medical tents are well-equipped to handle a number of problems without requiring a hospital visit.
• Drink responsibly. For individuals over the legal drinking age of 21, remember to keep a one-to-one ratio in mind; drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed. Don’t take drinks from strangers nor leave your drink unattended.
Mobile Life provides emergency medical services at a variety of summertime outdoor community events throughout the Hudson Valley. Mobile Life offers onsite emergency medical care which can be tailored to the individual event’s needs and requirements, from a medical tent with cots, cooling stations, ice, IV fluids, water, oxygen, first aid and more, to specialty vehicles such as an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), golf cart, multi-passenger vehicle, an EMT/paramedic bicycle team and, the company’s newest addition to the Special Operations fleet, the ROC (Remote Operations Center).
To learn more about Mobile Life Support Services, visit www.mobilelife.com.
About Mobile Life Support Services, Inc.
Mobile Life Support Services, Inc. is a New York State Certified Advanced Life Support paramedic ambulance company that provides emergency services to communities and healthcare facilities throughout the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, including the counties of Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester. Founded in 1981 by Rick and Gayle Metzger, Mobile Life is composed of more than 500 EMS professionals across the region and operates a fleet of more than 60 ambulances and 26 stations. With a collective population of more than 1,000,000 residents, Mobile Life handles approximately 100,000 calls per year. For more information, visit www.mobilelife.com.
