• If you feel dysphoric or disconnected, move to the edge of the crowd and find something solid to lean against
• Make eye contact and smile at one person near you — connection is grounding
• Dance smaller — tiny movements help you reconnect to your body without overstimulation
• Give yourself permission to leave the stage. The music will still be there

• 👁5-4-3-2-1 grounding — name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste

• 🫁Box breathing — breathe in 4 counts, hold 4, out 4, hold 4. Repeat 3 times.

• 🚶Move slowly to the edge of the crowd, find a wall or tree to put your back against

• 👥Text someone in your group your location right now

• 🏥Look for a RED CROSS sign or ask any staff member for help

• Light activity / mild weather: 8–12 oz (250–350 ml) per hour
• Dancing hard / warm day: 12–20 oz (350–600 ml) per hour with electrolytes
• Peak heat or back-to-back sets: sip regularly — don't chug huge amounts at once
• If you drank alcohol: alternate water, eat salt-containing snacks
• Signs you need more fluids: headache, dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth
• Signs of drinking too much water too fast: nausea, confusion, swelling — seek medical help

• Warning signs: heavy sweating then suddenly dry skin, fast pulse, cramps, nausea, confusion, fainting
• Move to shade or AC, loosen layers, fan the skin, sip cool water or electrolytes
• Cool packs on neck, wrists, and armpits help faster than ice on the whole body
• If someone stops sweating, seems confused, or won't wake fully — get medical staff immediately

• Use reagent kits or on-site testing when available — never assume purity
• Start low and go slow, especially if you haven't tested
• Tell a trusted friend what you took and when, in case they need to advocate for you
• Mix with caution — combinations multiply risk unpredictably

• DanceSafe — testing kits & education ↗
• DanceSafe substance info ↗

• Overdose signs: very slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or fingertips, limp body, gurgling, won't respond
• Narcan (naloxone) can reverse opioid overdose — carry it if you or friends use anything that could be contaminated
• Call for help first, give Narcan, then rescue breathing if trained
• A second dose may be needed after 2–3 minutes
• Stay with the person until EMS arrives — they can re-overdose when Narcan wears off

• Find Narcan near you ↗

• Get medical or security immediately if someone is unresponsive, seizing, overheating, or breathing oddly
• Tell medics what was taken and when — honest info saves lives and they hear it every set
• Assign one friend to stay with the person; another to find staff and bring water
• In the US, many states have Good Samaritan protections when seeking help for overdose — don't leave someone alone out of fear

• Grounding: name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear — breathe out longer than you breathe in
• Step to a quieter zone, splash cool water on wrists, eat something, and text one safe person
• If you're overwhelmed, it's okay to leave a set early — your peace matters more than FOMO
• Ongoing anxiety or low mood after the event: talk to a trusted friend or professional — aftercare is part of the journey

• Front-load rest, food, and hydration before doors — energy drinks aren't sleep
• Pick one stage or artist you love and go all-in on dancing — momentum beats FOMO
• Connect with other sober folks (meetups, pins, online groups) so the night feels shared
• Protect your ears, plan a ride home, and leave when your body says done — that's a win

• Check in with friends every hour — a simple "you good?" goes a long way
• If someone looks lost, confused, or alone, ask if they're okay — don't assume someone else will
• Walk people who are struggling to a safe space or medical tent — don't leave them alone
• After the festival: reach out to your crew. The days after can be hard. Connection helps

RaveAura is not a medical or mental health service and cannot replace professional care. Go to festival medical or security now. If you are not at a festival, use your local emergency number.