What Is Rock Medicine?  http://www.RockMed.org

In 1973, the late Bill Graham asked the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics 
to staff a "medical emergency care tent" at Grateful Dead and 
Led Zeppelin outdoor concerts. Many of the clinicians who participated
had previously provided their medical expertise at rock concerts, 
but the level of planning for these events was unprecedented.

Since then, Rock Medicine has evolved into a full program of the Haight 
Ashbury Free Clinics, and has provided service at an increasing number 
of concerts, community marches, celebrations and fairs, circuses, 
and assorted other events. In recent years, its 400+ active volunteers 
have provided care at nearly 200 events in a single year. Since 1987, 
our patient load has almost doubled as more concert-goers, promoters 
and venues have become aware of our services.

Rock Medicine is a mobile facility. Its work areas range from dusty 
fields with nylon parachutes slung overhead to three rooms with three 
sinks, a bathroom!, and built in storage space. A comprehensive assortment 
of supplies, medications and equipment travels with Rock Medicine 
wherever it's sent in "road boxes" modeled on those the bands 
use to transport their equipment.

All sorts of people volunteer with Rock Medicine. In addition to doctors, 
nurses, EMTs, paramedics, psychologists and other medically licensed 
and/or trained staff, we have carpenters, architects, editors, 
accountants, computer programmers, lawyers, and auto mechanics. Anyone 
who is willing to help and learn can find a place in Rock Medicine. 
All volunteers are CPR-certified.

We embrace a philosophy which asserts that health care is a right, 
not a privilege, free at the point of delivery for all who need it. 
All of our services, from soothing a sunburn to stabilizing a heart 
attack, are free.

What Does Rock Medicine Do?

Some liken Rock Medicine to an urgent care center, a front line station 
where patients come for minor illness, injury, referral and/or transport 
when necessary. Its services range from public health to basic first 
aid to advanced life support. 

We routinely stock such items as bandaids, antacids, aspirin/ 
acetominophen/ ibuprofen, ear-plugs, sunscreen, condoms, and tampons, 
as well as safety pins and rubber bands for those emergencies which 
can ruin a good time. 

Most of our patients come to us due to overindulgence of some form. 
Some are simply overcome by the size of the crowd and the level of 
energy/excitement, while others have partaken too strongly and need 
to sleep "it" off. A small minority may be involved in a more 
serious situation and require repair of a cut. Others need confirmation 
that they have a possible sprained ankle and should get an X-ray as 
soon as possible -- while we provide ice packs and crutches on 
the spot. A very small number require transport to a hospital.

Rock Medicine also provides a strong element of emotional support 
for its patients. Volunteers are assigned to "talk-down" those 
who are overwhelmed or who may have taken consciousness-altering 
substances and need to be reminded that they're in a safe space. 
Some of these volunteers are professionally trained; others have 
learned their craft as part of their journey through life.

Over the years, Rock Medicine's staff have developed specific 
treatment modalities. Working an event like a large heavy metal 
concert can be good experience for handling the problems that will 
arise in the event of a disaster. Other concerts provide an 
education in public health. Rock Medicine handles in unique 
ways situations that are demanding and unusual, while following the 
precept of "Do no harm." 

Establish a Meeting Place with Your Friends

Before you get caught up in the excitement of the concert, it's a 
good idea to make a few basic plans for after the show. We're not 
thinking of going out for coffee or a beer, but how to find your friends 
or ride if you get separated by some of those 5,000-15,000 other folks 
at the concert (up to 65,000 if it's a big stadium show).

If you've driven, make a mental note of where you've parked the car 
or even write yourself a note. Six to eight hours later you'll be 
trying to find your way in the dark, from the other direction. It's 
also a good idea for one person who knows how to drive to be the 
"designated driver," and agree not to drink or do any drugs. 

When you get inside the concert hall, decide on a place where you 
and your friends can meet if you get separated. We always have lots 
of concert-goers coming by looking for their friends. 

Crowd Syndrome

Many of the people we see at Rock Medicine come in simply because 
they're so overpowered by the event. What we call "crowd syndrome" 
is simply a combination of over-excitement and energy due to the number 
of people in the crowd, the flashing lights, the loud music and the 
heat. If you feel very hot and sweaty, short of breath and faint, 
you need to get away from it all for awhile in a (relatively) quiet 
place. Come by Rock Medicine for a cool drink and some fresh air. 


We recommend that you eat a good meal before a show and perhaps even 
bring a sandwich with you. It's generally a good idea to drink lots 
of non-sugary, non-alcoholic liquids to compensate for the heat and 
excitement you're about to have. Otherwise eat and party in style, 
rather than overindulging and maybe missing the whole show!

Everyone Wants to Get Front of Stage

When people rush up to the stage -- what we call FOS -- 
those who are in the very front row get jammed against the barrier 
in front of the stage. Imagine being pushed from behind by 5000 other 
people! If you're small, front of stage can be a very unpleasant place. 
We've seen many concert-goers overwhelmed by the crowd.

Concert security people sometimes have to help patrons over the barrier 
and hand them over to Rock Medicine. When they've caught their breath, 
security takes them back to the main hall. If this happens to you, 
we recommend that you try to find a less crowded place where you can 
sit down. You may want to find a less noisy spot out in a hallway 
and get a drink of water. We escort people who require more extensive 
examination or rest to the main medical area where they are checked 
out by a doctor and other medical staff.

Outdoor Shows

When Rock Med works a concert staged under the sun and/or stars, we 
find we need a lot more preparation than for other shows. You may 
want to do the same. We always tell our staff to bring hats, perhaps 
a bandanna for cooling off the back of the neck, sunscreen, and loose 
clothing that covers the arms and legs. If we'll be working into the 
evening,  we also bring sweaters or jackets for the temperature change.

Most outdoor concert areas don't have much in the way of shade, so 
it's important to take good care of yourself. Those with fair skin 
and light hair are especially vulnerable to a long day of sun and 
need to protect themselves with sunscreen. Make sure you drink plenty 
of liquids. Check before the concert to see whether you can bring 
along your own water container.

Do You Take Prescribed Medications?

If you have medicine that you should take on a regular basis, for 
example, if you're diabetic or asthmatic, bring it into the show with 
you. Don't leave it in the car or at home, because it's almost impossible 
to arrange for you to go get it once you have entered the concert 
hall. If you're afraid of losing it, you can leave it with Rock Medicine.

We stock many medications, but we are not a hospital pharmacy. Also, 
many conditions require more extensive tests than we have on-site.

Getting Home Safely

Again, remember to set up a meeting place with your friends before 
you enter the hall so that if you get separated you can find each 
other afterwards. Many people come by Rock Med looking for their friends, 
and we often have patients who don't know where to meet their friends. 
Make a note of where you leave your car. Some of our staff say bad 
words when you ask them to help find someone's car -- in the past 
they've spent hours searching the parking lots with patients, and 
that's when the person "knew" where the car was parked.

If someone is dropping you off, remember that when the concert is 
over, hundreds of cars will be trying to get out of the parking 
lot as your ride is coming in to pick you up. It may take an hour 
or even longer for the parking lot to clear, so take this into account 
when telling your ride when and where to pick you up. Neighborhoods 
near some concert halls are also not the greatest. Venue security 
usually maintain a skeleton staff until well after the show is over 
if you need a hand.

Rock Medicine is there to help, but everyone -- the bands, the 
promoters, the venues, and ultimately you -- would be much happier 
if we didn't have anything at all to do! 

Say, Thanks!

Rock Medicine is supported by donations. Because we are an affiliate 
of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, 
all donations are tax-deductible. Our continued existence is a direct 
result of the generosity of those we serve.


Thanks for helping me at ______________________________

Here's my tax-deductible contribution of $ ___________

Name _________________________________

Address ______________________________

City ______________________ ZIP __________

Mail to:

Haight Ashbury Free Clinics 
Rock Medicine - (RockMed.Org) 
612 Clayton Street
San Francisco, California 94117