i would give up on the quiet thing all together....get good earplugs....try them out before hand.

the medical tents are at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock plazas.

I dont think you are able to request a camping spot. the really quiet places, will be far from medical services....

it may be easier to find a medic who is willing to camp near you..

What is your medical condition - if it's ok to ask - do you need to be REALLY close to a medic tent for any reason?

Are you looking for quiet - or - proximity to the medic tent?

The Burning Man folks don't "issue" spaces per se, except for placing registered theme camps. If you are going as an individual or with a small group of friends and NOT with a registered theme camp, you park your buns wherever the hell you want (except in the registered theme camp areas). You don't have to request a space.

If you NEED to be camped close to the Center Camp medic tent, you might want to connect up with your ranger friends and find out how to go about that. ALTHOUGH - the reality is that unless you are going to sit in your camp all day and night, every day and night, you will most likely not be by the medic tent most of the time anyway. You will be out cruising the playa and having a great time, and you can go to the nearest medic tent if the need arises.

Good luck and see you at the burn!

If you use a good particulate respirator you will reduce irritation to your bronchial tubes, and it might make your experience more comfortable. If your condition is as serious as that, I would not go with one of the little painters masks like most folks do. You can get a good respirator online for a reasonable price. Just do a search on Yahoo or Google. A good pair of earplugs will ensure a good sleep. At least at night when it's cool.

You'll have a great time!

Sierra, as stated in these other responses, there are med tents at the 3 and 9 o-clock plazas. they are not stocked like the center camp med station, but are staffed 24 hours a day with immediate first aid and transport to center camp. Unfortunately none of these locations are what could be called quiet. the only quiet spot at Black Rock City is out in walk-in camp which is about as far as you can get from a med tent. Walk-in is approximately between 3 and 5 o-clock outside the last ring road around the city, towards the airport. My best suggestion is to get to the event early on monday and stake out a spot near one of the plaza med stations, you'll be near the porta potties and no more than 3 blocks from the esplanade , so you won't be far from the action. If you have a scooter and can get the medical exemption for using it, then bring it. everywhere is a long long walk and you'll appreciate having it , even if you camp close. Remember you have to have a way to keep it charged and running out there. the playa has a way of destroying things. Even if you never need the medical help, just being more confidant will make the whole week more comfortable for you.

as a burner who also has medical issues, which have also prevented me from going to BM at times, here's my advice:

I wouldn't rely on the med tents, nor camping near them. They're pretty much there for an absolute unmanageable emergency. Instead, assume you (and/or your budy) will need to take care of yourself without their help. I think relying on them, assuming you'll be able to get there if needed, assuming they'll take care of everything if you have an attack, assuming they'll have what's needed and won't be swamped with some other emergency, is a bad idea. Not that the med staff is untrained or unreliable, but that relying on the minimal infrastructure is both risky and against the princples of BM.

Take everything with you that you need to manage the most extreme asthma attack, and *very important* work on a buddy system. You'll need someone to look after you if you become unable to take care of yourself (due to passing out, shock, being unable to communicate, panic, etc.). I'd suggest camping with a trusted friend, and make sure they are briefed on what to do. Tell them how you react under stress, what an attack looks like, what you need when it happens, what triggers it, etc. both emotionally and medically.

If you can't bring a familiar friend you have several options. One, you now have about 8 months to find one. ;) Two, you can make sure you carry important info and meds with you at all times. You may want to make a small index card with important info and laminate it. You can then hand out that card to the person you're with should you become ill. Only a true jackass won't help. Three, you can inform your camp buddies and anyone you're hanging with for the day/night of your condition and give them brief info on warning signs and how to help.

If you're camping with a theme camp I'd suggest notifiying the camp leader of your condition so s/he is aware of what's happening should you have an attack. Having people look out for your means someone can check in with you now and then to see how you're doing. This is basic community courtesy that's done even for people who don't have a condition. Asking another burner if they've had water recently, or commenting that they look like they should sit in the shade for a few minutes should be standard practice regardless of one's health issues because the environment can be so harsh there. :)

Overall, I'd recommend thinking in terms of prevention. It's so much cheaper and easier to prevent an attack or emergency than it is to treat one once it's happened. Note what kinds of things weaken your body, what kinds of things stress you most. Not just your medical issues, but your whole self: mentally, emotionally, physically. And work on how to monitor and moderate them. It won't do you any good to be monitoring you specific conditio if you then run around dehydrated, overstimulated, strung out and stressed.

Keep in mind that if an official determines you need hospital care, you'll be transported out of the event, as is, at your expense. And from what I've been told, that's great expense. The nearest hospitals are not "near". Rather than risk that I think it's much better to bring everything you'll need to maintain and treat your health. embrace Radical Self Reliance to it's fullest in this case. :) I also think that will help assuage any fear, by makng you feel prepared and able.

Has anybody mentioned to you that some burners tend to get Playa Boogers?

lol

For some the crusty boogers can be a serious downer. Really, there's nothing like waking up and finding your nasal passages partially blocked.

Anyway a Black Rock ranger suggested we could minimize nasal problems by applying our favorite lip balm directly into our nostrils. Since my favorite is Carmex, I find the menthol-fragranced balm brings a welcome tingling to the cilia in my nose. The balm doesn't stop boogers from forming. But it does alleviate the unpleasantness of them (and somewhat keeps the nostrils moistened).

other than the dust storms there aren't many other allergens , other than those carried by fellow burners, that would bother an asthmatic.

If I might suggest.. an O2 bottle. a good respirator will help a lot; but if we have another 11 hour white out... you may need some of the benefits of O2's fresh air. not sure of the laws there.. in most states your doctor can write you a script for an oxygen bottle.



John ~ Camp Big Puffy Yellow
former EMT/Firefighter Baltimore, MD
living the life of luxury in New Orleans now...
(ok.. not luxury; but damned nicer than when I was up north.)