Heat and hydration

This page has safety advice that hasn't yet been checked by our safety reviewer. Treat it as general guidance, and follow your game's, venue's or product's own safety rules first.

A plain-language guide to recognising and preventing heat-related illness at outdoor and summer larps, for players of all experience levels.

This entry offers general guidance on heat and hydration at outdoor events. It is not a substitute for any game's own safety policy, medical brief, or site-specific rules. Always follow the instructions given by your event organisers and listen to their safety team. Your body works hard at a larp. You may be wearing layers of costume, carrying props, walking uneven ground, and staying in character for hours at a stretch. In warm or humid weather, that combination can lead to heat exhaustion or, in more serious cases, heatstroke, faster than most people expect. The warning signs to watch for in yourself and those around you include heavy sweating, a flushed face, dizziness, a headache, nausea, or confusion. Confusion in particular is a sign that someone needs help right away. If a player or crew member seems confused, collapses, or has hot skin and stops sweating despite the heat, that can be heatstroke: call the emergency services, get them into shade, and cool them while you wait. The single most effective thing you can do is drink water regularly throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. Thirst is a late signal. Many experienced larpers set a quiet personal reminder to drink at regular intervals, regardless of how they feel. If your game runs long without a scheduled break, it is always acceptable to step aside briefly for water. Most events also allow players to carry a small, in-character-looking container so hydration fits the fiction. Salty snacks can help your body hold onto the fluids you take in, which is worth knowing if you are sweating a great deal. Costume choices matter more than many new players realise. Dark colours absorb heat, heavy synthetic fabrics trap it, and a full helmet with no airflow can raise your temperature quickly. Where your game's costume guidelines allow it, lightweight natural fabrics, loose fits, and good airflow under armour all help. A cooling cloth or small handheld fan kept off-game in your bag can also make a real difference during breaks. If someone calls a Hold during an event, that is the moment to check in with people around you, not just to manage any in-game situation that prompted the call. A Hold pauses everything, and part of its purpose is to make sure everyone is physically well. If you are struggling with the heat, a Hold or an out-of-character signal to a marshal or safety officer is the right move. No story moment is worth someone's wellbeing, and experienced players and crew will always take a heat concern seriously.