Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by jonsteelson on Jun 14, 2011 15:04:32 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
First off - if you know how to get a hold of Bonnaroo's Human Resources, or anyone that I can thank for what was done please let me know. I'd like to write them a letter as well for the amazing job done by the volunteers and staff.
Anyways, here goes. This was my 3rd trip to Bonnaroo, and thanks to the Inforoo boards I not only got a ride from relative strangers, but felt prepared for just about anything that would come my way. Sometimes though, the unexpected happens and that's what happened to me.
Late Saturday night I thought it was my last big night to party, so I took a combination of corn that I thought would be fun. Unfortunately, the corn didn't quite sit right with me and while I was having a blast, my body and mind started to have a panic attack of sorts. I was completely by myself at String Cheese Incident, then felt my heart racing and shortness of breath kicking in. The warning signs were certainly there, and I started to feel scared as well as all alone in a sea of people.
Never having taken this particular combination of corn before I decided to do the safe thing and seek help. At first I was quite worried as to what would happen, but even in my altered state I knew my safety was most important.
After talking to some volunteers I was directed to a security guard in the VIP bleachers at Which Stage during SCI. I explained what I took in full and my concern. The guard was extremely kind and helpful, handed me a bottle of water, and asked me to wait for the medics to arrive. When they arrived, they spoke with me and told me I would be ok and told me to go on back to camp, but I assured them I was wigged out, scared, alone, and really needed help. They listened and did just that.
Both medics escorted me to the medical tent near the Other Tent entrance. On the way I got to walk through a parade which was pretty incredible. Meanwhile, both medics assured me everything would be fine.
Upon arriving at the medical tent I was greeted by more staffers that brought me ice cold water and offered me a cot, a blanket, and cold air blowing on me. When I laid down the corn went from bad to INCREDIBLE as I closed my eyes and absorbed all of Bonnaroo in that blissful environment.
I was woken only a few times by staff to check and make sure I was okay. One of which was Dr. Felix who relocated me to a more comfortable cot when the cold air got to be a bit too cold. She also took some basic info from me (Name, age, address, phone #).
All in all I got to rest until morning for a total of about 6 hours before I was ok enough to head back to camp.
I know Matt (CarpeDM) died last year, and I didn't want to end up another casualty of Bonnaroo. I decided to be safe, and the staff was extremely kind, helpful, and accommodating. They were not judgmental. They didn't preach at me. They didn't take my corn. In fact the nurse Nida (Or Nita?) told me to enjoy my trip as I laid down.
I had a few deeply introspective revelations as I laid down, one of which being I can be sober to have fun. I know I won't put myself in that situation again.
But for all the uncertainty I had about asking for help at the time and what would happen to me - well...I honestly believe the God of Bonnaroo saved me that night and I am still profoundly at peace with myself 2 days later.
I thanked everyone that evening profusely, and I suppose that's why they let me stay for so long. But I can't thank them enough. Although I only remember 2 of the names I really hope everyone involved receives some sort of recognition for their incredible handling of my situation. Some might say they were just doing their jobs - but I felt they went above and beyond to help me while making me feel at complete ease.
I spent Sunday sober enjoying the rest of the shows I wanted to see - and capped it off watching the Mavs win the finals. I don't know what would've happened to me that night, and I might've been just fine. But I didn't have to wonder because Bonnaroo saved me.
Thank you SO MUCH Bonnaroo and all of your volunteers, staff, and everyone involved. From the bottom of my heart I can't thank you enough. Your grace and kindness will not be forgotten.
Post by Funky Munky on Jun 14, 2011 15:20:10 GMT -5
This is the kind of personal responsibility and humility we could all strive to emulate. None of us are invulnerable to bad decisions and dangerous environments. Being humble enough to ask for help, even when you're scared, can change your life. Thanks for having the courage to share your experience Jon.
this is amazing, im so happy to hear they didnt judge and helped you out, thats how it needs to be! i would be terrified to ask for help when having a bad trip because god knows what could happen from that.
Post by kikosanchez on Jun 14, 2011 15:50:52 GMT -5
That's awesome man. Definitely always take your safety concerns first. Don't worry about getting in trouble, they just want to help you and they are there for your safety, not to indict you.
Thank you for sharing this, Jon. I'm glad you came through that experience safely and wiser for it. You just proved what so many don't realize: there's no shame in asking for help.
You seem to have a great outlook and awesome attitude. That makes me smile! Keep taking care of yourself so we can all see you on the farm next year.
Thank you for the responses. I really hope everyone reads this too. Especially someone that can get the word back to the people who helped me. Dr. Felix talked to me for a bit and I had no idea she was a doctor until I read the tiny dr. on her name tag. She was dressed like someone from the fest and just as cool. She told me it was her first year there as they had a need for her. I hope she gets to be there as much as she wants!
I had a few deeply introspective revelations as I laid down, one of which being I can be sober to have fun. I know I won't put myself in that situation again.
Experience is the best teacher. It sounds like your situation was handled professionally and positively. A question... Did you happen to witness others in the same condition as you receiving equally good treatment? This, I think, can have a reinforcing effect.
My name is Rob, I worked with Bonnaroo medical as an Emergency Medical Technician, this year, and last year. I was scowering through the forum, just lurking and found this post. I am glad that you are okay. While I can't really discuss bonnaroo medical operations (due to NES media policy), I can say that the woman's name is Nita. While I don't feel comfortable giving out her contact info, I will tell you that I just passed a link to this post to her.
Again, it's great to hear that you are okay. I hope you have many good bonnaroo's to come, my friend.
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So glad you're ok, Jon. A friend and I were just talking earlier about no matter how prepared you are, something can still go wrong so easily. Thankfully, your situation wasn't one of those. We owe a big thank you to those who volunteer their time to help with Roo...without them, we'd wind up in some really bad situations.
Glad you're alright John. And good job being upfront with the medics- people should know that lying about what you have taken can make things 100X worse!
Post by jonsteelson on Jun 16, 2011 14:49:09 GMT -5
Thanks again everyone for all the great responses. I really appreciate them all. I mentioned my story on Twitter to a few Bonnaroo people, and Superfly responded to me yesterday thanking me for my story.
riburroo: Other people were receiving great treatment. Although I don't think they were all in as good a mood as me at the time, and some had friends that looked disappointed they let their friends even end up there. There was a girl next to me being held down by 3 medics and she was obviously having a bad time. I felt bad for her, but thankfully my ear plugs let me sleep through her panicked screams. Overall though, everyone seemed to be taken care of really well.
medirob: Thank you for all the work you've done, and thank you for letting Nita know. I hope that Dr. Felix can get to see this as well. That's her first name anyways. I asked her who I could thank above her and she didn't really know, but I promised her as I left that the right people would know. Her and the staff deserve a lot of praise.
Post by myscatterheart on Jun 16, 2011 18:14:56 GMT -5
Kudos on doing what you knew in your heart you needed to do to keep your cool before it got bad. Knowing yourself and your limits is something that I saw a great lack of at Roo this year. Good to hear the staff was doing what they were there to do with kind hearts.
medirob: Thank you for all the work you've done, and thank you for letting Nita know. I hope that Dr. Felix can get to see this as well. That's her first name anyways. I asked her who I could thank above her and she didn't really know, but I promised her as I left that the right people would know. Her and the staff deserve a lot of praise.
You are welcome, buddy. You did the right thing. Please everyone know that our only concern is your safety, we are not there to judge you or preach. If you get into a situation you cannot handle, you can always come to us. Please, never be afraid to call on us for help. We truly enjoy being a part of Bonnaroo and want every one to have a good time. We do not think of you as an inconvenience or an annoyance. Your well-being is our only concern.
I hope you all have a safe Bonnaroo 2012, make sure to wear your sun screen and stay hydrated (even when you dont think you need to drink).
I can't remember the exact brand, but the ones pictured above are the type we use. However, we usually don't take a temp until we have them in one of the medical tents like Centeroo or main medical. The medics will transport them either by cart or walk them up to the tent. Usually the medics on foot don't carry any equipment other than maybe a pen light, maybe a stethoscope.. The medic carts have things like C spine collars on them, but not really much more than that and a spine board. The actual medical supplies are in the medical tents, that is where we have our IV therapy equipment, BP Cuffs, Pulse Oximeter, etc.
Post by thisismyname on Jun 19, 2011 1:26:06 GMT -5
Hey medicrob, thanks for all the hard work over the weekend. Everyone really does appreciate what you guys do, even if it isn't said/recognized enough. Keep up the good work.
You are welcome, but it isn't just me, the credit goes to the fine team that National Event Services has put together, and the bonnaroo staff who get us to the patients and get them to us.
medirob: Thank you for all the work you've done, and thank you for letting Nita know. I hope that Dr. Felix can get to see this as well. That's her first name anyways. I asked her who I could thank above her and she didn't really know, but I promised her as I left that the right people would know. Her and the staff deserve a lot of praise.
You are welcome, buddy. You did the right thing. Please everyone know that our only concern is your safety, we are not there to judge you or preach. If you get into a situation you cannot handle, you can always come to us. Please, never be afraid to call on us for help. We truly enjoy being a part of Bonnaroo and want every one to have a good time. We do not think of you as an inconvenience or an annoyance. Your well-being is our only concern.
I hope you all have a safe Bonnaroo 2012, make sure to wear your sun screen and stay hydrated (even when you dont think you need to drink).
Post by barthvader on Jun 23, 2011 15:49:14 GMT -5
What a positive thread! It's good to know for future years that I can trust the medic team if something goes wrong like that. I had a bad time on some corn this year too, and luckily I was able to finally get it under control because I probably would have been to nervous to go to the medic tent if it got worse. I'm glad to hear that you're ok!!!
