Young people are known for taking risks. This is because adolescence is a time when individuals develop both cognitively and socially. This transformation often involves pushing boundaries, trying new things and developing a new sense of identity. The risks that young people take can be either positive risks or negative risks, and the reasons for taking these risks vary depending on the individual.

Research on risk-taking and young people has shown:

• Health risk-taking is highest during adolescence.

• Young people who participate in multiple risk-taking behaviours increase the likelihood of injury or death.

• Young women are increasingly participating in risk-taking behaviours.

• The prevalence of risk-taking behaviour may be linked to psychological factors such as stress and depression.

• Binge drinking is associated with multiple health-risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, unsafe sexual activity, drink driving, motor vehicle crashes, violence and antisocial behaviour.

• Females were more likely to binge eat, purge themselves and be dissatisfied with their body weight and shape.

• Young people were more likely to be involved in driver risk-taking if there were stressed or were habitual drinkers.

• Common outcomes of health-risk behaviour are mental health problems.

• Depression is linked to an increased incidence of risk-taking behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use.

Security 

When hosting a party, especially if it is one with a lot of people invited, it is a good idea to have security. Security can be hired from a local security company, which would involve professional security guards coming to the party and making sure no gatecrashers get in, as well as ensuring party-goers are behaving safely. Hiring security guards can be expensive, however so can be the damage done if a party gets out of control.

Having adult presence at a party is always a good start. They can supervise and ensure unruly behaviour is not tolerated. Unruly behaviour can range from under-age drinking and drug taking, to stealing, fights and assault. Having an adult presence can often be enough of a deterrent to uninvited people who want to come to a party and cause trouble. To make sure the party is as secure as it can be, it is a good idea to ensure that guests can only enter the party through one area. This prevents people coming in from all different directions and makes it harder for people who weren’t invited to enter.

Police notifications 

When hosting a party, it is always a good idea to notify the local police. If the police are notified, they are more likely to be understanding if they do get a call out to the party. They can give the host useful tips to keep the party safe and fun at the same time. They may even provide an officer to drive past the house at various stages of the night to ensure the party is not getting out of control. Parties can be registered online with the local police, and should be done so at least two days before the date of the party in order to allow enough time for the police to distribute everything the party host will need including information on how to keep the party safe and wristbands in case there is alcohol present and there are under-age people also present.

Partying and energy drinks 

Energy drinks like Red Bull, Mother and V have become very popular. Theyare increasingly being consumed with alcohol to enable drinkers to drink for longer and achieve higher levels of intoxication without feeling tired. 

Energy drinks contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng, and alcohol is a depressant, the combined effects can be very dangerous. The stimulant effects can mask how intoxicated an individual is and give the impression they are not impaired. 

It’s important to realise that no matter how alert one feels due to the energy drinks, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is still the same as it would be if the energy drinks had not been consumed. 

These are known concern the short-term effects of energy drinks: 

• increased heart rate and in some cases palpitations

• increased body temperature

• increased alertness

• stimulation of the brain and nervous system, which can lead to nervousness and agitation

• increased dehydration due to increased urination – this can lead to diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle cramp and a more severe hangover

• increased problems with insomnia 

• decreased ability to metabolise alcohol.

Concussion

Concussion occurs when someone is knocked hard on the head. Between the brain and the skull is a layer of fluid, and when a person is concussed the brain is essentially moving back and forth against the skull. Common signs and symptoms of concussion include a loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, loss of memory and irritability. If a concussion is suspected, follow DRSABCD. If consciousness decreases, the casualty should be placed in the lateral recovery position. The first aider should try to keep the head and neck in alignment. If the casualty is conscious, the first aider should reassure them, contact medical services and treat any bleeding.

Burns

Burns can occur from direct fire, from the sun, from boiling water or from any hot surface such as a barbeque or stove. Burns will have varying signs and symptoms, depending on how severe the burn is. If the burn is superficial, there is usually pain and redness to the skin. If the burn is partially thick, the outer layers of the skin will be broken, blistered and extremely painful. If a burn is full thickness, the deepest layers are affected and the nerve endings are destroyed. Because of the destroyed nerve endings, this type of burn is the least painful; however, it is the most life threatening. To treat a burn, follow DRSABCD. Cool the burn using large amounts of cool water. Cover the burn loosely using a non-stick sheet and reassure the casualty while waiting for emergency services.

Fractures of limbs

Fractures of limbs relates to when a bone is broken. If a fracture is present, the casualty will feel pain and they may have heard or felt a snap. Other signs and symptoms include swelling, deformity, unnatural movement and grating of bones on movement. If there is a fracture of the limbs, the first aider should follow a basic plan of DRSABCD, cover the wound/s, immobilise and restrict movement, seek medical assistance and reassure the casualty.

Cramps

Cramps are spasms or abnormal contractions of muscles. The blood supply is usually restricted or cut off to a muscle, therefore creating a great amount of pain. They usually occur in the foot, calf, and hamstring or thigh muscle. If experiencing a cramp, one can expect abnormal contraction of the muscle, pain and the muscle will stiffen as it shortens and contracts. To manage a cramp, gently stretch the affected muscle, apply ice packs and massage gently if it assists in relieving pain.