10 Ways To Ensure You Survive Summer Conventions

Hello hello! My name is DeAngelo and I attend a number of conventions throughout the year. Many of them take place in a state that is known for its intense heat, Arizona. I, like many others in our state, defy the sun regularly due to the best conventions happening during this time. Phoenix Comicon, San Diego Comic Con, Colossal Con, Mega Con, E3, and so many more take place during the hottest times of the year.

So how does one survive under such intense conditions while still being able to enjoy the events? That is where I come in!

Water

Forever and always will water be your greatest ally. It is best to always keep water in mind even when you feel as though you are totally fine. I have seen the greatest of men and women fall to dehydration to the point of needing emergency services. Most conventions will allow closed bottles of water so be prepared to bring at least three bottles if you have access to a backpack and make it a point to tear through them so you always remain hydrated.

Breaks

I know first hand how some of the best events can just sweep you off your feet to the point where you lose hours of your life in the blink of an eye. As the temperature increases, it will drain you just as fast until you hit heat exhaustion. If you have never experienced heat exhaustion, it feels a lot like being drunk without the fun aspects. In general you feel as though you are going to collapse because your body has just hit its limit.

You can avoid this by simply stopping to sit down inside for a good 10-15 minutes. This relaxation will ensure you cool off and last even longer throughout the day so that you can check out more of the night life! Might be a good time to drink water!

Eat

Unfortunate side effects from being in the sun too much can be a loss of appetite because your body is focusing on not becoming exhausted. This one can be rough because being famished on top of hot is a terrible experience and can only add to your discontent. I would recommend eating small meals through out the day, I typically have four meals during a convention that consist of three small snacks and then relax at night be eating something larger.

The food should give you a good boost of energy and help your body while it is out and about in the summer sun! I hear drinking water is also nice to do while eating!

Sun Screen

Although I was born with a +5 natural resistance to the sun, many others did not. As a result, our geeky brothers and sisters with fair skin tend to burn in the sun. To prevent this, you want to always wear sunblock even if you don’t plan on being outside for too long. Chances are you’ll have to wait in line for food trucks, registration, photo shoots, or even just walking from the parking garage to the venue.

Getting a sun burn on day one of the event and then having to deal with it all weekend is no bueno! Be sure to cover up, especially if you are planning on cosplaying something revealing!

Instincts

Often times before something bad happens we get a voice in the back of our head that whispers warnings. While most of the time we avoid these warnings in exchange for incredible times, you might want to listen to that voice while outside during summer. I remember during one convention in particular I had a friend who was decked out in cosplay waiting for a photoshoot and while I could tell she was getting heat exhaustion, she refused to let it stop her.

Fast forward to 20 minutes where I had to escort her to the nearest cosplay station so she could sit down and drain bottles of water to feel well enough to walk to her hotel to take off her gear. I saw the moment she realized something was wrong and still chose to continue, that poor girl got so red!

Vendor Hall

This might seem like a no brainer for conventions but staying inside during the hottest times of the day will make staying alive an easy win. The photo shoots might not be the best and you might walk in circles a few times but it will give you a chance to appreciate all of the vendors and their many wares. A lot of times I found some of the coolest swag hidden away just enough that I could have only found it had I taken the extra minute to browse.

Granted, this might not be good for your wallet but your soul will be happy!

Panels

Like the vendor hall, panels are a life saver! They are literally an event where you are encouraged to sit down and listen to entertaining folks talk for an hour. While many panels are focused on having a good time, there are plenty of panels that help with trade skills. I personally have attended a number of writing panels which have helped tremendously! Learning new techniques while in A/C is a great time compared to melting outside.

Gaming

Many conventions like to include gaming in their events from table top to video. Getting the snot beat out of you by 12 year olds at Super Smash Brothers is a great time! I have always enjoyed sitting down and playing a random session of a role playing game with strangers or friends. It is a fast way to make new friends and have a great time without your skin melting.

Dress Light and Bright

What you wear can heavily influence the amount of heat you intake whether it is because you wore black or a material that doesn’t breathe. For summer time it is always good to dress light with shorts and a short sleeved shirt or a cosplay that doesn’t require you to be smothered in foam. Although I say this, I can understand that a majority of the big daddy conventions take place during the summer times folks want to showcase their best work. If you do decide to cosplay as a Gundam, Lich King, or any other incredible cosplay that requires you to wear an oven I recommend not stopping for photos until you get inside, fans should understand your need for A/C and be able to follow and wait patiently.

The color in which you wear also matters as darker clothing absorbs heat while lighter colors reflect it. This might not seem like a big deal but any little bit helps!

Do This

Just do this until fall comes.

Thanks for checking out our list and I hope it helps you stay cool on all of your geeky adventures this summer! 😀