How to Rave Safely

Whether it’s EDC, an abandoned warehouse or a secluded forest, raves can be a lot of fun, and a little dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Follow these tips to ensure a safe time.

Go With Friends

Places with lots of intoxicated people are always a risk, so the best thing you can do is go with a group of friends, maybe even have a buddy system. For long festivals, agree on a time and place to meet up and regroup to make sure everyone’s good.

Drink Plenty of Water

Doesn’t matter if you’re imbibing alcohol or … something else, staying hydrated is always a good idea if you’re dancing a lot, especially if it’s under a hot sun. Most party organizers are proactive about this, offering free bottled water or refill stations.

Take Care of Your Body

If it’s sunny, wear sunscreen and reapply as you sweat it off. If you have breathing problems, outdoor dance floors can get dusty with all the feet kicking up dirt, so invest in a mask. You’ll find plenty of custom masks designed by members of the rave community. Outdoor ravers are also recommended to wear closed-toed shoes, given how a stubbed toe can ruin your entire day

Find the Chill Out Area

No one wants to listen to 4×4 kick drums for eight hours straight, let alone dance to it. Be sure to split up the sets with some time at the chill out area. Lots of events will have a spot for slow, relaxing music to keep people grounded.

Use a Test Kit

If you skipped D.A.R.E. class, then at least do so with caution. Have a trustworthy source and purchase a test kit from an organization like DanceSafe to make sure it’s pure.