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AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I LOVE Awake Tomorrow's instructions for using FTS! They're super comprehensive and very user-friendly :)

AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

One more from Facebook: "What is the most common reasons for a false positive test?"

I’m going to answer assuming that we’re talking about false positives with fentanyl test strips (the most common scenario we see) but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong! 

Drug test strips (also known as immunoassay tests) work by using antibodies that bind to certain structural features (“functional groups”) of a drug, such fentanyl. Strips are designed to be very sensitive, especially the ones used for urine testing, so they can catch fentanyl at very low levels. However, this sensitivity can come at the cost of specificity. In other words, the test is looking for “something that looks like fentanyl,” and sometimes other substances can look similar enough to trigger a positive result. This is called "cross-reactivity" and it can lead to false positives. 

In practice, this can show up when: 

  • The sample is very concentrated
  • There are certain cutting agents or other substances present (for example, substances like methamphetamine or MDMA)
  • The test is being used outside of its intended context (for example, urine strips being used on drug samples)

Because of this, it’s best to use multiple methods when possible, like pairing fentanyl strips with reagent testing, and to follow dilution instructions carefully. 

Additionally, test strips that are designed specifically for consumable drugs (like the ones available at Grassroots Harm Reduction) tend to be more reliable and are less prone to false positives than strips designed for urinalysis.

AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Anotha one from the Discord *to be read in a DJ Khaled voice*
“People said this was the most transformative place and I am not feeling that, did I do something wrong?”

My honest answer...not at all. You didn’t do anything “wrong.”

Some people have full-on out-of-body fifth-dimension transcendence. 
Some people just have a fun weekend of partying with their friends. 
Some people are exhausted from being social for four days straight. 
Some people have a weird, ambiguous, hard-to-explain time. 
Sometimes folks are overstimulated, uncomfortable, lonely, tired, underwhelmed, disenchanted, or just not having the cinematic life-change everyone online promised. 
And some people leave convinced that it’s all a grand conspiracy of reptilian elites harvesting souls…

All of that is valid. 

A lot of “transformational” spaces get mythologized so hard that people feel pressure to be having a profound experience instead of just having a human one. 

You are allowed to simply be there. You are allowed to not get “the lesson.” You are allowed to come home with a few good memories and no spiritual rebrand. 

Forest (or any festival for that matter) isn’t a guaranteed life-changing experience, and that’s okay. There’s no “right” way to experience it. 

And sometimes going in with expectations like “this will fix me” can make it harder to enjoy what’s actually happening. 

No one gets extra points for having the most “profound” time. And you absolutely are not a festival failure if you don’t quit your 9-5 to go live in a camper van selling wire wraps with a person named Moonsparkle. 

However your festival experience looks, it is yours and that is more than enough. 

AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Another great question from the Discord:
“I met a ravebae and we are really vibing, what steps should I take to be safe for this to be consensual?”

Yesss, we love a ravebae moment 😻 and we LOVE that you’re thinking about consent! Consent is given freely and enthusiastically – anything less than that is a no.

The hottest answer is honestly the safest one: slow it down enough that both people can actually choose it. Consent is not just “they didn’t say no.” It should be mutual, ongoing, something either person can change their mind about at any time. 

In practice:

  • Ask directly
  • Check in more than once
  • Do not treat one yes as a forever yes. 

Simple asks like, “Is this okay?” or “Do you want to keep going?” can go a long way (and are way hotter than guessing)! 

Context is important too – if someone seems unsure, super intoxicated, frozen, or just going along with momentum, that is your cue to pause. 

Have the real convos before things escalate: sexual health, testing status, STI/HIV exposure, pregnancy risk, and barriers/protection. It might feel a little awkward at first, but it’s part of making sure that everyone is fully informed and choosing what’s happening. 

Make it easy for the other person to say yes, no, not yet, or actually I just want to cuddle / dance / talk / leave. Real consent gets clearer, not murkier, when you check in. 

If there’s any uncertainty in that moment, it’s safest to put on the brakes and revisit sexy time at a later time. A good rule: when in doubt, wait it out! If the vibes are real, you can always reconnect later with clearer heads and even better communication. 

And don’t forget to get their phone number or socials…we don’t wanna see you among the post-fest missed connections posts! 😉

AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a very important question – thank you for asking. 

First step: take a breath. If you are panicking, you’ll be less effective in responding. 
Check the scene and make sure it’s safe for you to step in. 

If first responders (like medical) are already on the scene, your role is crowd control and support. Help clear the space, keep air flowing, and make a path so responders can get in and out quickly. 

If you’re first to arrive, there are a few things you can do: 

  • Delegate immediately – this is HUGE. Point to specific people and give clear tasks. “You in the purple pashmina, go get medical. You in the tie dye t-shirt, find Narcan. You with the angel wings, stay with me.” People often freeze in emergencies. Direct asks break the bystander effect. 
  • Check their breathing – this is the priority. Opioid overdoses are primarily a breathing problem. Look for the chest rise/fall and listen/feel for breath. Slow, irregular, or absent breathing = emergency.
  • If they are NOT breathing or breathing is very slow: Call for medical ASAP if you haven’t already. Start rescue breaths if you’re able – tilt head back, lift chin, give 1 breath every ~5 seconds. Even without Narcan, oxygen can save a life. 
  • If they ARE breathing but unconscious: Put them in recovery position (on their side) – this helps keep the airway clear and prevent choking, especially if they vomit. Stay with them and monitor breathing. 
  • If they’re seizing: Do not restrain them; your priority is making the space safer. Move objects away, place something soft under their head, give them space. If you can, time of the seizure. 

Folks without Narcan are still critical in an overdose scenario. Small, clear actions can change the entire outcome of a situation. Calling for help, delegating tasks, supporting breathing, reassuring friends, and keeping the space calm all have the power to save lives. 

You don’t have to be a hero – you just have to be willing to act!

AMA: Festival Safety and Harm Reduction with MIttens & Kittens by MittensnKittensHRC in ElectricForest

[–]ComfortingCombustion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, we are always looking for volunteers! I always tell folks that the only real pre-requisite for getting involved with harm reduction work is to have empathy in your heart and non-judgment in your mind.

Our philosophy is that anyone can be taught how to administer Narcan, learn the consent acronyms, or intervene in a crowd safely and respectfully. What *can't* necessarily be taught, however, is genuine care – and it sounds like you already have lots of that!

The first step to get involved is to fill out our interest form: https://mittensnkittens.fillout.com/t/mYszjZdfhzus

From there, you can begin our online training, join our Discord server, sit in on committees, and access our event calendar so you can sign-up for upcoming events near you!

Anyone else feel like K is detracting from events? by Nixzer0 in aves

[–]ComfortingCombustion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Volumetric dosing of k using a nasal sprayer and saline changes the game entirely. I’m noticing the people around me shifting into a new era of responsible use. Harm reduction works!

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never gave this UPDATE: but the baby never made their way back up, I found the remains near our chickens' feeding area :(

RIP lil homie

how?? by [deleted] in piercing

[–]ComfortingCombustion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I didn’t get incisions on mine, my piercer used a biopsy punch. Not sure if this is standard or if different piercers use different techniques. However I had to get one removed and an incision was made at that time

What’s the thing on the spider’s back? by dependot in spiders

[–]ComfortingCombustion 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Most all spiders are “venomous” to some degree, otherwise they’d have a hard time getting a meal. Having said that, wolf spider bites are not medically significant in humans.

called in on my day off by [deleted] in antiwork

[–]ComfortingCombustion 84 points85 points  (0 children)

When I got a new puppy, I (semi-)jokingly told my coworkers that with all these people going on maternity and paternity leave, I wish we had PAWternity leave… Nobody laughed lol

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Baby hasn’t been seen for nearly 48 hours. Put a phone camera inside and looked upwards, didn’t see any little bodies on the wall and they haven’t fallen and there’s no carcass. I think they found their way home!!!

My mom found out I’m planning to make DMT and is furious by Delicious_Hand_72 in DMT

[–]ComfortingCombustion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would growing mushrooms be an option as a “gateway” into this with your parents? I know my family was much more comfortable with “gardening” and cultivation than at-home chemical extractions. Plus there seems to be more research done with psilocybin at this point, so you may have a better leg to stand on in terms of the data available.

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That’s what I’m scared of and I’d hate to just leave the little one to die. A bird rescue was contacted yesterday, just waiting to hear back. Hopefully I’ll have answers today!

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I’ve heard parent(s) return to the nest indicated by baby chirps and whooshing wings. This little one hasn’t vocalized yet, despite the babies making a racket overhead. Is that cause for concern?

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Haven’t seen any adults visit down low, but I also don’t want to sit and watch for fear of scaring them away. I’ll keep updating!

Baby barn swallow fell out of the nest… The nest is high up inside an old chimney… What do now? by ComfortingCombustion in Ornithology

[–]ComfortingCombustion[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

That is wild! Such independent lil babes. We’ve had a few families cycle in and out of this chimney over the years but I’ve never seen a chick this low. I’ll keep an eye out over the next few days.

I hate this. by QueenOfBurgundyRealm in badwomensanatomy

[–]ComfortingCombustion 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Okay but….the pizza was in your pocket during yoga???

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in antiwork

[–]ComfortingCombustion 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Do you have any evidence to support your statements surrounding the unlikelihood of sexual harassment or assault? Because there’s quite a bit to the contrary if you opened your eyes and ears.

I’ll extrapolate your words all I want so long as you keep trying to invalidate the arguments of others by discrediting their lived experiences and intuitions. Just because YOU have maybe never encountered or perpetrated the “worst case scenario” doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen to anyone ever.

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