In the case of our regular festival we do have good assurance that the staff will keep things safe and orderly. The places where the few disasters listed have happened apparently do lack "something" that they're not taking care of.

Sometimes all it takes is for a few people to ask "how do you handle ..." to initiate a very significant improvement, and there are questions that need to be asked in advance, especially by those who, like us, need some "handicapped access" and support for medical devices/equipment. Our festival put new handicap ramps on a couple of stages last year after only a few requests from competitors who had difficulty getting on the stage for the contests.

In one instance, a TORNADO WATCH was announced, along with a warning about EXTREMELY HIGH WINDS, Heavy Rain and possible hail. The exertion of scurrying around to pick up and lash down apparently was a bit much for Lin so I found her in the camper, passed out in a diabetic coma. Rigid and jammed under the table where I couldn't even sit her up. Blood sugar low - OFF SCALE - on her glucometer, but barely registered 25 on mine (40 considered potentially fatal).

A call to 911 produced an ambulance that apparently drove directly to our inconspicuous camper in the middle of about 1200 others. EMTs (4 of them) managed to drag her out and got an IV started, and took off with her. Unfortunately they neglected to tell me where they were going, but I think they were in a hurry. I had to call 911 again to find out where the hospital was.

I met the chief EMS guy at the entrance to the hospital and he asked if I knew whether she made it, and said he was afraid she didn't; but by the time I got inside she was sitting up grinning and asking "Why'd you bring me here."

Do you KNOW that they even have an ambulance at your festival? Are fire lanes maintained open so the emergency vehicles can get to where needed?

Do you KNOW what security number to call when a diseased (apparently dying) racoon wanders in and lays down in the middle of a jam circle? (3 years ago).

Do you KNOW what the rules are about the little group that gets "rowdy"?

Do you know who to call about the stray armadillo under your camper? (5 years ago)

Do you know how to check the weather reports for yourself, for the immediate area of your festival? - if the power goes off or reception is bad and your TV won't work? - if the cell tower got hit by lightning and your phone's dead?

Being reasonably aware, in advance, is all it should take to be safe; but you need to be awake when you get there - or a little before - to make the best of it when the unusual thing hits.

John