Festival & Event First Aid: Are you Covered?
Updated: May 29
Summer’s almost here. Whether you’re organising a village fete, a wedding
reception, a charity run, or a three-day music festival, first aid provision isn’t just a box to tick. It’s the difference between a smooth day and a crisis you weren’t ready for.
I know this from twenty years running venues with events on the premises. I’ve seen minor incidents handled brilliantly because we were prepared. I’ve also seen preventable chaos because someone thought “we’ll probably be fine.” You won’t be fine if you’re not ready.
Do You Legally Need First Aid at Your Event?
There’s no single “events first aid law” in the UK. But there is a legal duty of care. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, you, as the event organiser, must take reasonable steps to protect everyone who might be affected by your event. That includes staff, volunteers, and attendees.
The HSE doesn’t prescribe exact numbers or qualifications. Instead, you conduct a risk assessment. That assessment determines what level of first aid cover you actually need.
If something goes wrong and you haven’t done a proper risk assessment, you’re exposed. Legally and financially.
What Does a Proper Risk Assessment Look Like?
This is where most people get it wrong. A risk assessment for an event isn’t complicated, but it needs to be thorough. Ask yourself:
How many people are attending?
A village fete with 200 people has different risks than a three-day festival with 5,000.
What’s the nature of the event?
Is there alcohol? Live music? Camping? Extreme heat? Water activities? Each adds different hazards.
What’s the age range?
Are there children, elderly people, or people with pre-existing conditions?
What’s the location?
Urban park? Remote field? How far from emergency services?
What time of year?
Summer festivals bring heat exhaustion and dehydration. Winter events bring falls and hypothermia.
What’s the terrain like?
Uneven ground, mud, water hazards all increase injury risk.
Once you’ve answered these, you know what level of first aid cover you need. For larger outdoor events, the Purple Guide, originally published by the HSE and now maintained by the Events Industry Forum, is widely recognised as the key reference for event safety planning, including medical and first aid provision.
The Different Levels of First Aid Cover
Not all first aid cover is the same. Here’s the hierarchy, from basic to advanced:
Basic First Aider (EFAW or FAW trained).
Suitable for small, low-risk events. One or two trained staff with a comprehensive first aid kit.
First Responders.
Trained to manage medical emergencies like asthma attacks, seizures, or cardiac arrest. The minimum recommended level for most public events.
Emergency Care Assistants (FREC 4 trained).
Ambulance-level skills. Your people for medium to large events.
Ambulance Technicians.
One of the highest levels of non-registered medical professional. Often found at music festivals, large events, or remote locations.
Healthcare Professionals (Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors).
Essential for high-risk or large-scale events.
Always request to see staff qualifications and registration numbers. Some councils and insurers may require documented evidence of clinical competency as part of your event licence application.
What I Wish I’d Known Running Events
Heat and dehydration are serious risks at summer events.
Have water stations, shade, and staff trained to spot heat exhaustion. The signs are easy to miss: confusion, excessive sweating, nausea.
Alcohol changes everything.
If your event involves drinking, injuries increase. You need more first aid cover, not less.
Communication is everything.
Have a clear way for staff to call for help. Mobile reception might be patchy. Pre-write emergency contact numbers. Designate a communication lead.
Document everything.
Every incident, every treatment, every person involved. It protects you legally and helps you improve for next time.
Martyn’s Law and Events
If your event has more than 200 people, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, will apply once it comes into force (expected 2027). This will require you to conduct a security risk assessment and put in place measures to protect attendees.
For events with 200 to 799 people: public protection procedures including evacuation plans, staff training, and emergency planning. For events with 800 or more: enhanced measures including documented procedures and steps to reduce vulnerability.
Your first aid provision and emergency procedures must work alongside your security planning. They’re not separate. They’re part of the same response.
Your Practical Checklist
Before you open the gates, make sure you have: a completed risk assessment (written down, not just in your head), adequate first aid cover based on that assessment, a clearly marked and accessible first aid point, emergency contact numbers pre-written and accessible, staff briefed on emergency procedures, AEDs if your event is large or high-risk, clear signage for emergency exits and first aid locations, reliable mobile reception or a backup communication plan, a designated first aid lead and communication lead, and incident recording forms ready to go.
How to Know If You’re Covered
Use our free first aid calculator to work out exactly what level of cover you need based on your event size and risk profile.
Or book a free 15-minute provision check call with us. We’ll review your event plans, discuss your risks, and make sure you’re compliant and genuinely prepared.
Get in touch:
07494 904698
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I legally need first aid at my event?
There’s no single events first aid law, but you have a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. You must take reasonable steps to protect everyone affected by your event, including attendees.
How many first aiders do I need at my event?
This depends on your risk assessment: event size, type, location, age range, and alcohol involvement all factor in. Use our free calculator for a starting point.
Does Martyn’s Law apply to my event?
Once it comes into force (expected 2027), yes, if your event has a capacity of more than 200 people. You’ll need to have public protection procedures in place, including evacuation plans and staff training.
Can I just rely on calling 999?
No. In many outdoor or large events, ambulance response times can be delayed. You need on-site first aid provision to manage casualties until professional help arrives.
What is the Purple Guide?
The Purple Guide is the UK’s most widely recognised guidance document for health, safety, and welfare at outdoor events. Originally published by the HSE and now maintained by the Events Industry Forum, it covers everything from crowd management to medical and first aid provision, including a staffing matrix to help you work out the right level of cover. It’s available as a subscription at www.thepurpleguide.co.uk.
Running events is brilliant. Running them safely is your responsibility. Don’t leave first aid to chance.
Comments