Concert Ambulance and Medical Services

What health risks occur at concerts?

Concerts are events where large numbers of people gather in a limited space within a short time. This density can lead to a range of different health problems occurring at the same time. Common situations on site include:

• Fainting and dehydration due to standing for long periods, heat and crowding
• Crush injuries, falls and compression injuries in the dense front-of-stage area
• Health problems related to alcohol or drug use
• Flare-ups of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease
• Dizziness or seizures triggered by loud sound and lighting effects
• Workplace accidents involving the technical crew during build-up and tear-down

Some of these risks can be prevented; others can only be managed in time by a well-prepared team. A good medical plan takes both into account.

Front of stage, backstage and evacuation

At concerts, the medical team is placed according to how the venue flows. The front-of-stage barrier zone is where the crowd is densest and where intervention is hardest. A team positioned behind the barrier in this zone works with security staff to quickly reach people pulled out of the crowd. On the backstage side, separate medical support can be planned for performers, dancers and the technical crew.

The ambulance position is chosen so that a patient who needs to be transferred can be taken out of the area without passing through the crowd. For this reason, keeping the ambulance approach route clear throughout the event is planned in advance with the organizer and the security team. The medical team's role in the emergency and evacuation plan is also clarified.

Indoor arena and open-air concerts

At indoor concerts, ventilation, the temperature inside the hall, stairways and narrow exit corridors are at the center of the plan. The first aid point is usually set up in the foyer or near the main entrance, while the ambulance is positioned near the building door best suited for transfers. At open-air concerts, sun, rain, cool night air and ground conditions come into play. To reach an audience spread over a large area, the number of foot teams and their assigned zones become more important. At stadium concerts, separate teams may need to be planned for the stands and the field.

On-site communication and incident logging

It is important for the medical team to communicate with security, production and event leads over a shared communication channel throughout the event so that response is not delayed. How and to whom security staff should report an audience member who has become unwell is clarified in the pre-event briefing. Every case treated on site is logged. These records are used both to pass on information when the patient is handed over to the hospital and for post-event reporting. For situations such as a lost child, someone separated from a companion in the crowd or an audience member who has forgotten their medication, the meeting point between the medical team and the event team is also set in advance.

What organizers should keep in mind

When planning medical services for a concert, sharing the event date, times, expected audience size and venue information early leaves enough time for the site survey and planning. Obligations regarding medical services may vary depending on the type and scale of the event and local regulations; you should check with the relevant authorities on this. Net Ambulans takes this information into account when preparing the plan.

For multi-day events or events with campsites, you can explore our festival medical services; for corporate parties and launches, our event ambulance services. Drawing on experience gained since 2015, Net Ambulans takes site survey and quote requests at 0212 912 51 84.

Concert medical plan step by step

• Site survey: The venue is visited or reviewed from plans; gates, the ambulance approach route, the front-of-stage area, backstage and first aid point locations are identified.
• Risk analysis: Factors such as audience size and profile, event duration, indoor or outdoor setting, weather and alcohol service are assessed.
• Team plan: The number of ambulances and staff, first aid point locations, foot team zones and hospital transfer routes are turned into a written plan.
• On site: The team takes up position before the gates open, communicates with security and production, and stays on duty until the area has cleared.
• Report: Numbers of interventions and transfers, along with risks observed on site, are reported to the organizer, with personal data protected.

Sample team and vehicle plan by audience size

The table below is a sample planning table; the final team and vehicle plan is determined by an event-specific risk assessment and the regulations in force.