Ravers Told Not To Crowd Surf

With many music festivals preparing to roar into place this summer, fellow rockers and ravers have been advised on several issues. Don't drink, don't take drugs and most importantly, don't crowd surf.

Crowd surfing is as inevitable as muddy wellies and portable toilets at such musical gigs, but with a string of whiplash injuries and whiplash claims, music advocates are urging all party lovers to stay safe.

Crowd surfing is when a person is passed over the heads of the crowd, which usually takes place at a festival or music concert.

However, medics have stated that there is a huge risk of injury or even death to such behaviour and have warned festival-goers to think before they leap.

Sammy Margo, a chartered physiotherapist said that surfers can suffer sprains, bruises and whiplash injury if dropped. She stated that some women have even been groped as they were passed overhead.

The crowd is also at risk of injury if a person is dropped on to them, especially is they are wearing something heavy or sharp.

Crowd surfing as dangerous as surfing in the water

Joanna Squires, aged 30, from Essex, received personal injuries when she was knocked over and sustained bruising to her head, after a man clattered into her while crowd surfing, knocking her to the ground. Although not seriously injured, she said it did frighten her and she needed medical treatment for a panic attack.

"It happened when I was at Glastonbury and was part of a very large crowd. It was the type of crowd that keeps swelling; the whole crowd was going backwards and forwards. We were watching a band and there were some people crowd surfing and one of the guys happened to have steel toed boots on. He jumped into the crowd and bumped me on my head."

She continued: "I started to hyperventilate and had a panic attack and needed to go for medical treatment where they got me to breathe into a paper bag."

She added that anyone considering crowd surfing should think of protecting those below them. "I think it is important that people go to festivals and have fun. But they do need to be wary crowd surfing, especially if wearing jewellery and steel capped boots. Think about other people."

Try to stay on top of the situation

Sammy Margo agreed that there were a number of ways surfers can stay safe. She advised them to wear clothes that don't have sharp edges such as studs or zips, wear soft shoes, avoid wearing piercings or chains and to remove any valuables.

She said: "The concern is that you get carried away by the moment - you may well be intoxicated with alcohol, drugs or the atmosphere. Crowd surfing is not ideal but if it is going to happen you must try to do it safely."

In terms of whiplash injury, she stated that relaxing helps to lessen the severity of falls, minimising sprains, whiplash injuries and bruising.

"If you are accidentally dropped, try to relax into the fall instead of tensing up. You'll be more supple and less likely to fall awkwardly and injure yourself."

Airedale NHS trust in 2000 showed that at one three-day music festival in August 2000, with 60,000 people a day attending, there were 43 minor crowd surfing injuries.

If you have been affected by an accident, find out if you can receive a whiplash claim.