First Aid Point, located next to The Watch tent at the corner of Brewers’ Road and St. Lawrence Way, is open 24 hours a day.
All services provided by ANY agency at First Aid Point are provided free of charge.- First Aid Point is staffed by Ross/West View EMS personnel, who are on-site 24 hours a day for the duration of the Pennsic War. Doctors from Allegheny General Hospital are generally on-site from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Medical providers are able to provide treatment of both minor and more serious illnesses and injuries.
- If it is determined that the condition is life-threatening, or that it is in the patient's best interest to be seen in an emergency room, then the patient may be taken by ambulance to the most appropriate facility.
- Patients with less urgent injuries or chronic illnesses will be evaluated and given the option as to appropriate care.
Over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, and medical supplies are not available at First Aid Point. Some of these items can be purchased at the Cooper's Lake Camp Store.
- Hand washing stations
- Adhesive bandages
- Ice packs
- Triple-filtered drinking water
- Misting tent
Life-threatening injuries and illnesses will always be treated. However, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not allow for medical personnel to treat minors for minor illnesses or injuries unless a parent or legal/notarized guardian is present. In any event, if you are in doubt, medical staff will evaluate the patient and will assist in making that determination.
If you have a medical condition about which EMS personnel should be aware, we strongly recommend that you wear a commercially available Medical Notification/Alert bracelet or necklace at all times. Additionally, you should always carry any prescribed emergency medications with you. Carefully plan your medication needs prior to arriving to Pennsic. Prescriptions that are written out-of-state may not be able to be filled in Pennsylvania, and on-site doctors are not generally able to write prescriptions for existing medical conditions.
Note: The Pennsic War cannot provide refrigeration service for individuals needing storage of medications. If you must bring sensitive medicines that need refrigeration please take that into consideration when making your Pennsic plans.
- Hydrate often with non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic liquids.
- Apply sunscreen often.
- Carry emergency medications with you and wear a medical alert tag.
- Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! This includes food preparation. Wash your hands frequently.
- Keep lids closed on toilets to discourage disease-carrying flies. This also reduces odors, as the Porta-potties are designed to vent through an exhaust vent that runs to the roof.
- Above all else, bring your common sense to Pennsic!
