Tips in the case of a heat wave

• Drink water regularly without waiting to be thirsty and drink alcohol in moderation.
• Refresh and wet the body (at least the face and forearms) several times a day.
• Do not forget to eat, especially fruits.
• Protect yourself from the sun, using sun protection and headgear
• Whenever possible, favor cool and shaded areas
• If you feel unwell, call 144

The dangers of alcohol

“Drink or drive, you must choose.”

How many times have we heard this advice without ever putting it into practice? In terms of road safety, there is no such thing as zero risk. It is therefore essential to maintain your reflexes and not to exceed the limit of 0.25 mg/l.

But are you aware that this limit does not depend solely on the amount of alcohol consumed? Other important factors such as stress, fatigue, diet, medication or illness can increase the effects of alcohol and dramatically increase its level in your blood.

The best way to enjoy the party while drinking alcohol is to designate a person who will remain alcohol-free during the party. If no person can be found, it is better to sleep on site or choose public transport or a taxi to return home.

First aid

The weather is nice and warm, you can enjoy a drink before cooling off in the water. Swimming and drinking alcohol are common activities in such an exceptional festive setting. However, the two combined increase the risk of drowning, hydrocution and injuries.

According to the Office of Accident Prevention (BPA), forty-nine people accidentally drown each year. Among the many causes: the drinking of alcohol or psychotropic substances. Being a good swimmer is just not good enough. Being under the influence, you tend to overestimate your strengths and, at the same time, underestimate your environment (the lake). Impaired vision and poor balance can make your movements in the water inconsistent.

The dangers associated with hydrocution are not negligible either: the alcohol-heat-swimming combination can lead to loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest brought on by a thermal shock, which can then lead to drowning.

Injury on the lakeside rocks is another risk factor when you are intoxicated. Falling over can cause cuts, fractures, even trauma.

HESAV students will raise awareness among the general public regarding these risks through an interactive game.

Support for volunteers and participants

Hundreds of volunteers and participants are an essential ingredient to the success of the Fête des Vignerons. HESAV takes great care in watching over their health. To help them fight against fatigue and stress, a relaxation and turbo-nap area will be available to them as well as back and hand massages.

A turbo-nap of 15 minutes: a catnap, which is highly recommended, is the ideal way to recover and restore energy before setting out on the festivities again.

Students are there to advise volunteers and participants about the nutrient content of different foods and energy drinks. In these periods of hot weather, recommendations will also be made for regular and healthy rehydrating snacks , with dried or fresh fruits, rich in water. To replenish your energy levels, apples graciously offered by the canton of Thurgau will be distributed throughout the event.

Prevention films

The students created these four prevention films that will be screened during the event. The first deals with the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in relation to road accidents and group solidarity during the festivities, and the second shows the consequences of prolonged exposure to the sun without sun protection or headgear, causing dehydration, sunstroke and sunburn.