Your full guide to spotting, preventing, and treating heat stroke at music festivals.

🎵 The Heat is On – But So Is the Risk

Festivals like Steelhouse, Download, Bloodstock, and others can be sun traps – especially if you’re rocking out all day on a hillside, wearing black, and sipping cider in the blazing sun.
Heat stroke is real. It’s dangerous. But it’s also preventable.

🧠 What Actually Is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat-related illness, and it happens when your body temperature hits 40°C (104°F) or higher. Your internal cooling system fails – and without quick action, it can lead to organ damage or death.

☠️ It’s a Medical Emergency – Not Just a Bit of Sunburn.

😬 Warning Signs of Heat Stroke

Keep an eye out for these signs – whether it’s happening to you or your festival buddy:

  • 🌀 Confusion, agitation, slurred speech

  • 🌡️ Body temp above 40°C (104°F) (hot to touch)

  • 🧍‍♀️ Dry, hot skin – even though it’s boiling

  • 🥴 Dizziness, headache, or fainting

  • 🤮 Nausea and vomiting

  • 🫀 Rapid heart rate

  • 🧊 Lack of sweating (even though it’s hot out!)

  • 😵‍💫 Collapse or seizures

🚨 What To Do If Someone Has Heat Stroke

Whether it’s you or someone else, act fast:

1️⃣ GET HELP

Find a festival medic or first aid tent immediately. If you’re in a more remote spot, call 999 and explain it may be heat stroke.

2️⃣ GET THEM OUT OF THE HEAT

Move the person into shade, a tent, or anywhere cooler – even the loos if it’s the only dark place nearby!

3️⃣ START COOLING

  • Remove excess clothing

  • Use cold water bottles, soaked towels, or water sprays

  • Fan them (or get ten mates to do it while shouting “stay with us!”)

  • If possible, place cold compresses on neck, armpits, or groin

4️⃣ DO NOT:

  • Do not give paracetamol or ibuprofen – they can make it worse.

  • Do not dunk them in ice water – risk of shock.

  • Do not force fluids if unconscious

5️⃣ HYDRATE IF ABLE

If they’re alert enough, give sips of cool water or an isotonic drink. No booze. Sorry. 🍻✖️

🛡️ How to Prevent Heat Stroke (Like a Festival Legend)

💧 Hydration Is King

  • Bring a refillable water bottle

  • Use the free water refill points

  • Alternate alcohol with water

  • Add electrolyte tablets or hydration sachets

👒 Dress For the Heat

  • Wear light-coloured, loose clothing

  • Ditch the leather – we love your battle jacket, but maybe not from 10am–5pm

  • Wide-brimmed hats, bandanas, or even a parasol? Tidy.

☂️ Seek Shade Often

  • Watch one band in full sun, the next from the shade – balance it out.

  • Use a UV umbrella, or hide under a merch tent (convenient and stylish!)

🧴 Don’t Forget Sunscreen

  • Reapply SPF 30 or higher every couple of hours

  • Don’t forget ears, nose, scalp and back of neck

  • Lip balm with SPF = very smart

😎 Know Yourself

  • Take breaks

  • Don’t ignore dizziness or fatigue

  • Keep an eye on friends who look worse for wear – be their festival guardian angel

🎪 Steelhouse-Specific Tips 🌄

  • The mountain gets hot AND exposed – there’s not always a lot of shade unless you’re in the VIP/bar tent

  • Bring your own shade: A lightweight sun shelter, umbrella or poncho you can sit under

  • Set up a “cool-down” point at your tent: reflective blanket, shade tarp, and extra water bottles

🧾 Final Checklist – Don’t Get Burnt:

✅ Refillable water bottle
✅ Electrolyte tabs or sachets
✅ Hat or bandana
✅ Sunscreen (and reapply it!)
✅ Cooling spray or fan
✅ Know where First Aid is
✅ Know your limits – don’t push it

💬 Last Words from the Pit

Festivals are meant to be loud, proud, and full of life – not near-death!
Take the heat seriously, look after each other, and party smarter. Because no set is worth collapsing for. Be the hero with the water bottle, not the one being stretchered off the hill.

Bendigedig! Iechyd da! Stay hydrated, stay metal! 🤘💧☀️