In preparation for a weekend often associated with heavy drinking and wild parties, Dartmouth community safety and enforcement bodies, wary of the dangerous mix of frigid temperatures and alcohol, plan to take special measures to ensure student safety.
College Proctor and Director of Safety and Security Harry Kinne said that Safety and Security would be "beefing up" its on-call staff for the weekend.
"We are planning to have extra patrols on during the day and evening hours," he said. "We want to make sure we maintain a high visibility and that students don't hesitate to call."
This year's Winter Carnival will be the first that Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services, a group of EMS-trained and CPR-certified students, will respond to calls that might need quick or minor medial assistance with Safety and Security.
Dartmouth EMS began responding to Safety and Security calls during Homecoming weekend in the fall and has since operated every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.
Jiayi Hao '08, director of Dartmouth EMS, said that the students only respond to calls when Safety and Security deems it appropriate.
"Anytime a [Good Samaritan] gets called in, whether or not we are called is based on the discretion of the Safety and Security dispatcher," he said.
Dartmouth EMS members can gather valuable immediate information for medical personnel, Hao said.
"We are called sometimes along with Hanover fire, sometimes in lieu of Hanover fire," he said. "If it's serious enough that it warrants an ambulance, we can provide Hanover with the initial set of vitals."
Although EMS usually only operates on Friday and Saturday, the students will also be on call Thursday evening of Winter Carnival.
Each night will be divided into two shifts, one from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. and the other from 12:30 p.m. until 3 a.m.
During each shift, two New Hampshire-certified EMTs and one CPR-trained student will be on-call.
Because many students who are assisted by Safety and Security or EMS require further medical care, Dartmouth Health Services is also preparing for an increase in the number of students received over Winter Carnival.
Dr. John Turco, director of health services, said the facility will boast increased staff over the weekend.
"Although we don't always see a much greater number of cases, the head nurse usually puts an extra person on just in case," he said.
While many are admitted for alcohol-related illness, Turco said that health services also usually sees psychological admissions over Winter Carnival. He said many of these students become overwhelmed and require some rest and relaxation.
Given the cold temperatures characteristic of Winter Carnival, Turco said, students are likely to spend more time in enclosed spaces, which allows viruses to spread easily from person to person.
Turco also warned about the dangers of sharing cups, cautioning that the practice can spread germs from person to person and may lead to illness.
Although Safety and Security, Dartmouth EMS and Dartmouth Health Services all anticipate an increase in activity this weekend, Hanover Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone said that he does not expect a large increase in crime.
"The arrests or contacts are not any different than they would be on any other weekend," Giaccone said, "Consequently there will be no staffing changes."
Safety and Security and Hanover Police will also pay special attention to the polar plunge at Occom Pond because of its potential dangers.
