Posted on May 17, 2001 at 9:00 a.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — UAB’s emergency medicine department will be in charge of treating injuries and illnesses at downtown Birmingham’s City Stages music festival May 18-21. The department will work in concert with the Alabama 1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team under the auspices of the UAB Center for Disaster Preparedness and the VA Medical Center in Birmingham.
Dr. Guillermo Pierluisi will direct the two aid stations and coordinate efforts with Birmingham Fire & Rescue Department. “We are happy to provide these services at major community events such as Do Dah Day and City Stages,” Pierluisi says. “We will be equipped to handle everything from foot blisters and drug overdoses to heart attacks and major falls.”
The Fire & Rescue paramedics will provide initial assessment and stabilization of patients around the festival, and transport to the aid stations via stretcher-equipped golf carts. At the strategically located aid tents, care will be provided by UAB physicians, nurses and paramedics, Pierluisi says.
Experience at such events leads him to believe the most common problems will depend on the weather. “If it is hot and humid, we will be especially watchful for heat illnesses.”
“To reduce their risk of heat problems, people should wear brimmed hats and light, loose clothing to the festival,” he said. Everyone needs to drink plenty of water if it’s humid, and be moderate in alcohol consumption and activity level.”
Common sense and moderation should rule the day to assure a safe, enjoyable festival experience, he says. “You want to have fun, but with the crowded conditions and likely hot weather it’s no time to go crazy.”
Loud Music Endangers Hearing
Audiologist Margaret Springfield of the Kirklin Clinic advises people attending music festivals such as City Stages to use ear plugs to avoid the risk of permanent hearing damage from loud music amplification.
“If the sound is hurting your ears, you’re very likely experiencing damage to your inner ear,” Springfield says. “You may want to move away from the speakers and use ear plugs.”
Ear plugs can be bought at most drug stores but some are better than others at protecting hearing. “Make sure you get the ones that are soft and can be collapsed between your fingers and rolled into a tube. Carefully place the plug in your ear canal, where it will expand to fit your ear.” Frequent concert-goers and musicians may want to consider custom hearing protection, which can be provided by an audiologist.
According to Springfield, hearing damage is cumulative, not reversible, and can lead to a profound hearing loss, such as found at an early age in many musicians who don’t use hearing precautions. “If you are planning to attend City Stages or other music festivals, enjoy the music, but also take wise precautions to protect your hearing.”