Faces of BlizzCon: Convention floor tips from the first aid fix-it lady
by Lisa Poisso 
Oct 22nd 2011 at 12:30PM
What's the #1 physical ailment at BlizzCon 2011? Sore, blistered feet. WoW Insider visited with Sue, an R.N. who works at the Anaheim Convention Center's first aid station, for advice on what con-goers should do to make their time at BlizzCon healthy and comfortable.
"Don't wear new shoes!" exclaimed everyone at the first aid station in unison. "Most of what we're doing here today is Band-Aids," Sue adds, noting that the front hall of the convention center is one-quarter of a mile long. Don't try to get away with sandals or shoes with no socks, she advises. To make it through BlizzCon, you need the real deal.
After three years of working first aid shifts for BlizzCon, Sue is armed and ready for the entire range of common BlizzCon maladies. The usual suspects: overheating beneath cumbersome, full-body costumes; getting shaky or dehydrated after forgetting to eat and drink; and the queasy aftereffects of overindulgence in alcohol.
The artificial smoke/fog on the convention can also trigger breathing problems. If you have asthma or another breathing problem, Sue says, be sure to bring an inhaler.
The first aid team has a wheelchair and heads out onto the con floor itself when fans have troubles that keep them from coming around the first aid station -- but happily, the bulk of the staff's work seems to be random assistance like a safety pin for a wayward costume and helping passersby with "Where's the cafeteria?" and "Where's the ATM?"
And Band-Aids. Lots of lots of Band-Aids.
The news is out -- we'll be playing Mists of Pandaria! Find out what's in store with an all-new talent system, peek over our shoulder at our Pandaren hands-on, and get ready to battle your companion pets against others. It's all here right at WoW Insider!Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
viciouspen Oct 22nd 2011 12:33PM
No shoes, no Socks, no.....band aids...
No wait you get bandaids if you don't....wear them.
So no shoes, no socks, yes band aids!
Bronzey Oct 22nd 2011 12:36PM
/salute to Mrs. Sue and the other first-aid workers keeping everyone safe and healthy at BlizzCon. Lok'tar Ogar!
MusedMoose Oct 22nd 2011 12:45PM
Seconded, with a hearty "For the Alliance!" thrown in, because she's clearly someone who'll heal both factions. ^_^
For Ms. Sue: http://www.wowhead.com/achievement=4918
fudge Oct 22nd 2011 1:36PM
She's human, clearly Alliance.
RetPallyJil Oct 22nd 2011 12:38PM
She'll have First Aid maxed in no time!
Ok time for a "First-Aid Station" story. Embarrassment is: Being 17 and having to ask the incredibly hot fireman/paramedic guy at Cedar Point if he has anything to help with your horrific and sudden case of diarrhea.
You don't know what humiliation is.
Baelkash Oct 22nd 2011 1:13PM
"It's for my friend! Really, it's...for...my friend!"
Brendan Oct 22nd 2011 2:22PM
As an incredibly hot fireman/paramedic guy I assure you, diarrhea is one of the tamer things I have had to deal with when someones ass is involved.
Helper Oct 22nd 2011 1:00PM
I like this piece. It's short and fluffy, but just a nice human moment from BlizzCon.
And would have been more effective about two days ago, as most of the people at BlizzCon probably aren't reading WoWInsider at the convention. Still, I like the article.
detailbear Oct 23rd 2011 4:24PM
Agreed. Hope that one of the OCD-buffed staffers puts "Write a pre-Con survival guide" on their to-do list for the next one.
Shaun Synnott Oct 22nd 2011 12:57PM
lmao, i find this pretty funny, blisters are the number 1 ailment at blizzcon. i can picture it now, the ones who don't go outside at all, finally leaving the house to goto blizzcon, guys gets bad blister.
"NEVER AGAIN MAN"
Geoff Oct 22nd 2011 6:11PM
Thanks for the educational post while I get all excited about game news