Here is a list of things that we feel didn’t go well in 2008 and how we want to improve.

ENTRANCES

Problem

People waiting hours and hours to get in Boom festival.

Reasons?

• Boom was in a peninsula with only one road to get in and get out.
• A lot of people came many days in advance.
• Problems with traffic control in public roads and on our own entrances.

Solutions for 2010?

• We moved to another location – welcome to paradise!  (really!)
• We have now more entrances for the festival – public, emergencies and staff  have different road.
• We have a bigger entrance gate for the festival
• If you had problems with any aspect of Boom, please share them with us and help us find solutions! Contact us, we will try to solve your problems: solutions@boomfestival.org

And More…

• BOOM BUS: We are opening the gates on 17th August for Boom Bus users . This is a measure to motivate the use of collective transport.
• As tradition, Boom gates open one day before the program starts. Gates open at 18th and program at 19th of August.  You don’t need to rush to come, take it easy…

BOOM BUG

Problem

There was a severe outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting during the festival. This has been fully investigated.

The Results of the Investigation Were:

• That the Boom Bug, as it became known, was in fact  Bacteria Shigella which is closely related to Escherichia Coli This was identified by a laboratory in Sweden, but not until after the event.
• Shigella is transmitted from an infected person to another usually by a fecal-oral route. Shigella are present in the diarrheal stools of infected persons while they are ill and for a week or two afterwards. Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. 
• This happens when basic hygiene and handwashing habits are neglected.  Family members are at high risk of becoming infected. The spread of Shigella from an infected person to other persons can be stopped by frequent and careful handwashing with soap, practiced by all age groups.
• Part of the reason for the efficiency of transmission is because a very small inoculum (10 to 200 organisms) is sufficient to cause infection. As a result, spread can occur easily by the fecal-oral route and readily occurs in settings where hygiene is poor.
• That the problem escalated beyond the ability and the recources of the available medical assistance providers hás been accepted by the Boom organization.

The Following Steps will be taken to Prevent a Reoccurrence of this situation

• We will endeavor to ensure that satisfactory toilets are available in all areas of the festival site. With hand washing facilities
• All washing and water supplies will be organised to reduce any possibility of cross contamination.
• ANY PERSON (including BoomCrew) discovered to be defecating, urinating or disposing of any human waste in anywhere not provided for this purpose, will in the first instance, be required to clean it up, and may, at the discretion of Boom  Productions, be escorted off site, immediately, no refunds, or sympathy will be given should you disregard this advice. WE are ALL RESPONSE-ABLE for our actions, YOU will make your friends and family ill, so DO NOT SHIT IN YOUR NEST.
  Its not rocket science.
• All food outlets will be required to conform to appropriate hygiene standards and this will be monitored throughout the event.
• We will investigate the cause of any apparent outbreaks of  intestinal disease promptly.
• We now have established protocols in place. Any incidences of gastro intestinal disorders will be treated as a priority, sympathetically and effectively.
• We have significantly upgraded the Medical cover and facilities. The Boom now employs highly qualified specialist healthcare professionals with many years of experience caring for festivals, and party people.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Use the proper toilets
• Not pissing and shitting in the forests and in open air – it can increase focus for contaminations
• Wash your hands and take all measures to avoid eventual pathogens.

WHAT WILL WE DO

• Everybody that is caught pissing and shitting outside of a toilet will be invited to leave the festival site.

WATER

Problem

In 2008 there was some parts of the lake not in the best conditions for swim. Unfortunately in the old terrain cowfarming and agriculture exploration became excessive from one year to the other and that reflected in
the overall conditions of the shores; particularly in the bays and in places with less water circulation.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO GIVE THE LAKE BACK FOR BOOMERS?