Health and Safety WYD08

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds, especially after using the toilet and before handling food.
• Cover your mouth, ideally with a tissue, and wash your hands when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by either not having sex or by always practising safe sex, such as using condoms with a water-based lubricant.

• Never use equipment (e.g., razors, needles, syringes, toothbrushes) that may have been contaminated with other people's blood.

• Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are infections that are carried by mosquitoes in rural areas of Australia, mainly in summer and autumn. Cover your arms and legs with long sleaves and pants, and wear insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites.
• If you get sick, see a doctor.

Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place with nine countries: New Zealand, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

If you are from one of these nine countries, you will be covered for medically necessary treatment while in Australia.

You will need to show your passport/health care card when you are treated, as proof of your foreign residency.

More details: Medicare Australia

Some people may feel overwhelmed by the impact of WYD08 events. It is important to understand that increased levels of stress and anxiety can be common and are not a sign of personal weakness.

People who use the support of family, friends, church or other organisations are generally found to recover well from stressful situations. However, there are times when extra support may be needed.

Contact free of charge the Mental Health Help Line: 1 800 469525 if you need mental health advice and support.

• The legal drinking age in NSW is 18. If you are under 18 years of age, it is illegal for you to buy alcohol or be in most licensed premises, such as pubs or nightclubs.
• It is an offence for anyone to drink or carry alcohol in an alcohol-free zone.
• The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that women drink no more than two standard drinks (equivalent to 10mg of alcohol per drink) a day and no more than four standard drinks in any one day.
• The Guidelines recommend that men drink no more than four standard drinks per day and no more than six standard drinks in any one day.
• It is important to have at least one to two alcohol free days a week.
• If you do intend to drink alcohol, drink a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic drinks and eat before you drink alcohol.

• Never accept drinks from people you do not know.
• Buy your own drinks and do not drink something you did not open, or see opened or poured.
• Always watch your drinks - do not leave them if you go dancing or to the toilet.
• If you suspect that your drink, or your friend's, has been spiked, seek medical attention.
• Report drink spiking or suspected spiking to venue staff or the police on telephone 000.

The possession and/or consumption of prohibited drugs such as ecstasy, speed, cocaine and marijuana is illegal in Australia.

Using these drugs on their own or mixing them with other drugs or alcohol puts you at risk of harm from acute health or mental health problems, injury and/or assault.

More information on drug use: NSW Health Druginfo

• Sexual assaults are often carried out by a person known to you, rather than a stranger.
• Sexual assault is a crime. This does not change even if you know the person.
• If you report an assault to the police and the assault has just happened, it is better not to change your clothes or wash beforehand.

Always have enough money with you for a phone call, taxi or public transport and carry the address and contact details for your accommodation and group leader with you.

Before you go out, always have a plan for getting home and tell someone where you are going.

More info: Go to WYDCA for transport and safety arrangements for WYD08

A number of special events have been organised for WYD08. Make your time at the events more enjoyable by keeping this advice in mind:

• Take your time, wait until the area has cleared, and move safely when entering or leaving a venue.
• Eat well and drink plenty of water.
• Wear sensible shoes - you could be in for a long day or night on your feet.
• Make sure you stay warm, particularly if you are sleeping outside. Sydney's average minimum temperature in July is 6.5°C (44°F). Appropriate clothing, a warm sleeping bag and wet weather gear are essential.
• If you need medical assistance, seek help from a first-aider or paramedic early. Don't wait until you feel really sick! In most cases you will be able to receive treatment on-site and return to your group.
• Make sure you know where your friends are at all times and decide on a meeting place.
• Don't look after other people's belongings and don't ask others to look after yours.
• If you see anything suspicious, let security or the police know.

WYD08 falls in the middle of the Australian winter. If you choose to swim at our beautiful beaches or waterways remember:

More info on water safety: Surf Life Saving Australia

• Before heading out, tell someone where you will be going, who is with you, what equipment you have and when you expect to return.
• Contact the park office to ask about local conditions, tracks, creek or river water levels and fire danger.
• During dry periods a Total Fire Ban may be declared in the park. At such times no fire or fuel stoves can be lit. You will need to bring pre-cooked or fresh food.
• Make sure you have at least three people in your group. If there is an emergency, at least one can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person.
• Allow plenty of time to finish the activity in daylight, and pack extra food and water in case of unexpected delays.
• Carry a first aid kit and know how to use its contents.
• Many parks have only limited mobile phone coverage.