How to Not Die at Burning Man…as Told by Burners
Burning Man is an annual festival that takes place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert that attracts around 70,000 people a year.
With dust storms, mutant vehicles, giant art installations, fire art, and tens of thousands of people partying in the desert…
Burning Man can be considered to be a hazardous party environment.
On the back of your Burning Man ticket, you will see a liability waiver that says
“I acknowledge and fully understand that as a participant, I will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death…”
Tip #1: Water water water water water & a lot more coconut water.
Never leave your camp without water. Drink way more water than you think you need. Salt & gatorade too. When you’re out of water, party’s over & it’s time to go back to camp.
Tip #2: Light your monkey ass up at night – that includes your bike on the open playa – or get smashed by cool, fire-breathing art car.
Have at least one trusted bright light source available, as glowsticks and cheap toys fade through the night.
Tip #3: Art cars are still cars. Don’t jump in front of art cars. Don’t jump off of art cars.
Don’t disembark between a mutant vehicle’s truck & trailer. Don’t blind art car drivers w/ weird lights.
Only step on or off an art car (or between sections of a multi-part car) when it is at a complete stop.
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Tip #4: Don’t pass on the tiny desert road there, don’t speed, stay chill.
You’ll all wait in the same long-ass line to get in, so getting there faster won’t make a difference, but it will mean you actually get there.
Carpool to Burning Man. It makes the drive more fun & cuts down on fossil fuel consumption.
Tip #5: Buddy system, because sometimes you need a friend to say “what the hell are you thinking climbing up there after 9 shots?”
Make an agreement with your buddy to watch out for each other, including checking on your water supply, that you have all your stuff, & where to meet up again if you lose each other.
And did you know that text message works on the Playa?
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Tip #6:Don’t run into the fire of the man on burn night.
And if you must run into Man or Temple fires…wear a flame retardant suit.
Tip #7: If you can’t see where you’re going (i.e. a whiteout).
Stop & get somewhere protected. If you can’t see, neither can folks on bikes or driving art cars.
Download & use the iBurn Burning Man app to navigate to the nearest refuge via GPS. Do not “head for the music” as the music might be coming from a mutant vehicle on the move.
Tip #8: Talk to people you trust if you feel suicidal, or are feeling anxious / paranoid / overwhelmed.
Remember there’s a loving community around you when you’re in a bad mental state, many of us have been there, it can be a taxing environment.
There are mental health services on the Playa. The Zendo Project provides psychedelic harm reduction services & a supportive environment to transform difficult psychedelic experiences into valuable learning opportunities.
Tip #9: Avoid lying down with your playa dune costume & don’t pitch your tent near the road.
Know that anything that is not obviously visible or lit up may not be seen & therefore easily crushed by an oblivious moving vehicle. Use your car as your tent buffer. Be aware that tires can get caught in tie down ropes & tents.
Tip #10: Cover rebar, tent stakes & other sharp objects, & light up your tie down ropes.
Doll heads, tennis balls, & coconut water cans make great rebar tops.
Tip #11: Dress for 24 hours of weather & pack your camelback for overnight survival.
You never know where you will end up after leaving camp. Make sure your backpack is packed for overnight survival – water, goggles, dust mask, first aid kit, electrolyte tabs, headlamp, food, hand balm, lighter, contact lens solution, ear plugs, 5-hour energy…whatever you need to be comfortable & happy.
Tip #12: Only boof your drugs. Here’s where your asshole is your moist desert friend.
Fine Playa dust will wreck havoc on your sinuses & can make them bleed. If you intend to take powder drugs, consider an “alternative” method of delivery. Only consume drugs procured from trusted sources. Know your body & your drugs.
Legal disclaimer: EntheoNation does not recommend that you consume illicit drugs or do anything illegal.
And finally…
Tip #13: Accept the fact that part of you is going to die at Burning Man.
Remember…the most common Burning Man hazards are:
Be mindful of your surroundings, leave uncomfortable situations, practice radical self-reliance, avoid taking unnecessary risks & you’ll have a great time.
Have an amazing burn!
