Cosplay events: Things we need but lack

[KirinBoy]

Greetings to all SGCafe members who are reading this, I am KirinBoy, a simple photog and fellow member of the community.

It might seem like a joy buster, or maybe some readers will disagree, but today, AFAX, a few particular chain of events had me realising a few things about cosplay events such as today, and Cosfest or other similar events. Do note: by cosplay events, I mean events that mainly revolve around anime, games and manga, even though their intention may not be just mainly cosplay.

As a member for nearly a year, I noticed a few things:
1. Cosplay events often get bigger, and with more attendees as time pass.
2. Attendees often like to spend their time together, and look after one another.
3. Most importantly, attendees are responsible for their items' and own well-being, not the event organiser.

Normally, I feel that such rules are fine by me, I mean, we can take care of ourselves right?

But today, I found out something is lacking during our events; essentials that could save a life.

[KirinBoy]

Namely, I meant that such events are often lacking in one or more of the following; first aid stations, lost and found and security.

Now before people think, "Hey, you said members are responsible for their own safety and items, so these are simply contradictory.", I will want to share something that happened to me today.

Firstly, my friend lost her phone. She was panicking, and the founder apparantly took out the sim card and claim it for his or her own use. Later that day, I picked up a lost phone, and have no idea how to return to the owner, due to obvious reasons. Turns out, I turned it in to one of her relatives who happened to be in the area.

Now, people might feel, "Dude, they are being careless, how is it our problem?" I then will want to ask, what if it was you who lost it? What if, it was something you needed, like medication, or money you were supposed to give to a team member for supplies?

Most importantly, what if someone picked it up, but have no idea what to do?

Thus, I believe, every event, should allow a method for lost items to be turned in, and people who lost their items can check. This is a simple, yet helpful service, and although most might have a service as such, it will be helpful if attendees know where to go to.

[KirinBoy]

Next, first aid care available for members.

As we all know, sometimes, cosplay might bring about some accidents (a cut from a prop, or maybe a bad trip) or maybe unexpected conditions might occur (allergies, asthma attacks).

Such things are truly events we have no idea when and where it will happen, and it happend to me. A friend of mine starting out cosplay, suffered from photosensitive epilepsy due to an overpowerful flash from a camera. To those who don't know, it's a form of seizure that occurs, when one is exposed to lighting that one may not be used to, and the body and brain goes to shock.

She was weak, and have quick breathing, pulse rate and due to the number of photographers in the area, the constant flashes made it worse.

But what was the most dangerous part was, no one amongst us know what to do, and I was panicking and decided to do things one at a time, moving her to a quiet spot with less lighting, letting her rest and eat some sugary items to help her body adjust to the sudden seizure. Thank the gods that it worked, and she's now much better.

But after that scare, I realised, what if something like these happened again? If someone didn't know they had such a medical condition, and went into a seizure or worse, what will their friends do? If someone was badly injured, and no one had medical supplies at hand, what might happen?

As such, I believe that hazardous health conditions might occur out of the blue, even more so than we think, and a first aid station with trained medics and supplies might reduce the chances greatly.

[KirinBoy]

-ress-

[KirinBoy]

-res3-

[Haldir]

If for Cosfest, you're suppose to go look for Downtown East Security Guard as I'm sure they have a First Aid Room somewhere, and there should be a First Aid Kit at their Information/Ticketing Booth. Some of their Full-Time Front-Line Staffs should also be trained in Basic First Aid.
(I worked at another local attraction so aware of this tho' we may try to fix simple ones like little cuts ourselves as some of us carry our own Band-Aids etc)

For events like AFA, Teenage Day Out etc, because Cosplay is only part of the event, they may not put into thot having a proper nearby First Aid Room unless the event organizer have it done since the begginning or "kena" before. Or there may be one for the convention centre but with the security guards concentrated on Level 1, the "temporary" door/security guard at the event might not be aware of it.


What you can do since we got another event coming up, STGCC, with Cosplay being a segment of it, is to write in to the organizer to have a proper First Aid Booth near one of the Entrances. I will also try to encourage my friend's and my group booths to carry some form of First Aid Kit for humans (we usually carry one for our Armors and Costume ) especially some of my friends may be certified First Aider or even work in the field as Medic, this STGCC tho' we have no idea yet the location of our booth.


For Lost & Found, usually the Information Counter or Stage Front is the place to go for. This is what it is at many Attractions and the "more valuable" the item is, they have to be sent to the Visitor Service Centre or Front Information Counter where announcement over the PA System about it can be done or Lost items reported and owner contacted should it be found later.

[Invinc]

The first aid one makes sense, though First aid normally falls under the jurisdiction of the location owners rather than the event organizers.

I'm sure a good email to Suntec might help.

Oh, funny enough, there was a medical convention on the 4th floor. Flooded with real life doctors. xD

[KirinBoy]

Ironic scenario indeed

[soon]

Oh, funny enough, there was a medical convention on the 4th floor. Flooded with real life doctors. xD

Lol

Anyway, KirinBoy, I agree with you.

Especially some cosplayer's costume, there is absolutely no pocket. Then where should they placed their wallet and phones?

About the photograph seizure part: I am aware of this condition and I hardly use flash. I knew quite a number of cosplayers who didn't like big flash guns at all. So they turn to look for me instead.

And yeah, some photographers are annoyingly aggressive, not sure why.

[jonny_fyy]

I share the same thoughts with you KirinBoy.

=== Below comment may be off-topic ===
In the recent light of gang attacks, i've posted a thread asking the AFA with regards to safety & security measures. To date, my thread was not answered.

http://forums.sgcafe.com/afa-x-discussion/7...ency-plan.html

[Haldir]

Hai.....please dun expect the Organizer to provide everything for you......

Dun tell me the new generation is all about "spoon feeding"? The recent Gang-Attacks are RARE cases in Singapore and look at when it's happening? And it's not like the government/police is not doing anything about it to make sure it dun happen again, or catch the culprits ASAP?

And the police is just a phone call away and the Security at Suntec is just 3 levels below the AFA Convention Halls.

[jonny_fyy]

Haldir >>> Nope, I wasn't expecting "spoon feeding" from the organizers, just some thoughts in terms of prep for unexpected situations.

Back to KirinBoy, I still agree with his list of improvements on the organizer's part...
A clearly stated map & label of station for
1) First aid
2) Security, lost and found

On the cosplayers' part, it is important to always keep watch of his or her own belongings. Putting their belongings beside others doesn't guarantee 100% security. If you can't carry it along, get your trusted buddy to carry it for you.

In terms of 'lost in the crowd' when hanging out with friends, always set a default 'meet-up' area before entering a crowded event in case you're lost and the phone is with your buddy.

It would also be helpful if you're planning to cosplay to scout around the event area in advance before it starts. That was you're better able to know the potential areas to rest, take a breather, get out from the crowd or get help.

[Invinc]

Its not AFA's responsibility. Its Suntec's.

Srsly.

[jonny_fyy]

Invinc >>> Roger tat bro. Now back to KirinBoy's topic...

[Lord_Angelus]

This is life. We can't make everyone happy.