The event organisers must ensure that all people who attend and are affected by the event are safe, and that their venue is secure. This includes participants, spectators and staff. It also includes officials, the media, and the general public.
If adequate medical care is provided at an event, the emergency response time can be reduced, ambulances need only be called out for those in real need, and emergency department admissions will decrease. All of this adds up into a successful event with less negative publicity and poor visitor experiences.
Minimise your risks
You can minimise risks by providing effective medical services for your event and ensure that people receive immediate medical care if needed.
Risks at Events: Here are some facts about it
- Injury is always possible when large crowds gather.
- Some sporting events are inherently dangerous.
- Alcohol is a risk factor for injury at any event. Alcohol can cause people to lose their inhibitions which can result in reckless and unpredictable behaviour.
- The weather can have an impact on your event and make accidents or medical episodes more likely.
- Some events are more dangerous than others depending on a number of factors.
Tips for Event Organisers on Medical Services
- The sooner a patient receives treatment in an environment with limited resources for health care, the greater their chances of recovering.
- If the event is large or dangerous, medical services should be available for the entire operation. This includes the setup and the breakdown.
- Attendees queuing up to enter and exit the event may also need medical services so don’t neglect planning for this area as well. For more information on Event Medical Cover, visit a site like https://privateparamedicservices.co.uk/event-medical-cover/
- You may require medical care around the clock if you are hosting a festival that lasts several days and attendees camp overnight.
- Visitors should be able to find the first-aid/medical team as quickly as possible.
- Attendees should be informed about the location of medical facilities. Print the information and use signs on tickets or programmes.
- All event staff, including the stewards, should be aware of where to find medical services.
- In the event that casualties are transported, ambulances and other emergency vehicles will need clear access into and out of your venue.
- Medics on foot, golf cars, mountain bikes, or motorcycles could be needed at events where there are large crowds and/or difficult access.
