Type 1, tents, take‐aways and toilets: how to manage at a music festival

Maintaining optimal glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes is challenging. Attending a weekend music festival encompasses lifestyle activities that increase the challenge. These include: increased exercise, and changes in eating and alcohol consumption. The practicalities of blood glucose monitoring and insulin injections are also a consideration.

The aim of this project was to identify realistic problems for people with type 1 diabetes attending a music festival, and to review current written advice and available literature in order to provide relevant information.

No literature was identified. Fifty people with type 1 diabetes aged 18–40 years were randomly selected and sent a questionnaire enquiring about experiences.

Thirteen responded (26%). The mean duration of diabetes was 11.7 years (range 1.5–28 years). All 13 respondents had attended a music festival; of these, 46% had attended one for the first time. Some of the concerns included: hypoglycaemia (31%), lack of food (23%), losing insulin and equipment (23%), and maintaining blood glucose levels (23%). Anxieties regarding hypoglycaemia resulted in 38% running blood glucose levels higher than normal. Thirty‐eight percent experienced hypoglycaemia, the reasons being: increased activity (38%), eating less carbohydrate (8%), and reduced blood glucose testing (8%). Twenty‐three percent attended the first aid tent: 15% regarding injections and 8% for non‐diabetic reasons.

An information leaflet regarding managing diabetes when attending a festival has been designed which includes feedback and tips from patients. The leaflet was evaluated by 50 people with type 1 diabetes, and 20 health care professionals.

Currently, negotiations are underway with Diabetes UK, T in the Park festival organisers and the St Andrew's Ambulance Service to have an advice stand at the festival. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons.