Not enough time to practice in new fursuit. Advice?

The first thing is...get a spotter that will pay attention...good attention to what is going on (don't get a person who is ditzy and easily distracted).

See if you can get some basic hand signals down too. That way if you can't talk in your costume due to it sounding muffled, you can tell the person with you what you need by signaling with your paws.

Also...be careful how you have your pack positioned. If you get a random glomp you don't want your pack to burst...I'm still worried about that actually. I bought a camel pack...three of them, one for me, and one for my best friend and one for her mate. The one thing I am concerned about is hydration and I don't want my pack to burst because someone decided "look, a furrie in costume, hug really really tight!".

That happened at Neko....

EDIT: Avoid drinking soda during the time of convention. Avoid anything that is loaded with suger, or carbonation or high levels of caffeine. Pay attention to what you eat. When I went to random B & G clubs while working with a certain program for kids, I had to wear multiple layers of clothing, without Air Condition while engaging in heavy activity to preform plays and stuff. When you are dealing with that much heat you don't want to eat or consume anything that will further dehydrate you or weigh you down.

A good trick to making sure that your camelbak does't bust open is only fill it about half way (you can probably get away with 3/4) and make sure that there is room for expansion if pressed or squeezed. Also, check where the cap twists on and make sure that it hasn't backed off to the point where the cap won't close all the way. Make sure the hose isn't freely hanging, as sometimes the end of the hose (the part that you drink from) tends to drip.

Also, a note on Hydration. Make sure you hydrate the DAY PRIOR, as it is already too late when you are feeling thirsty. This will help with those heat headaches that usually come about later on in the day:).

~SGTRedfield

Thank you much. My spotter will definitely be able to help me out, as we have known each other for awhile, and he's very mindful, not ditzy at all. He did mention something about these tablets to drop in the water that they use in the Army (as he is currently in said Armed Force) to help with hydration and electrolytes, if that's what he was talking about. Said they used it all the time, it works. So, I shall see.

He already knows about some things to look out for in regards about surprise hugs/glomps, as I have forewarned him about it and a suit's limited field of view. And, I forget what plan he has for the Camel-Bak, but I believe he'll be toting around a spare so that I can switch mine out and continue with hydration while he goes to fill the other one up. Not sure, we'll be working more on it as it rolls closer.

If anyone else has more advice, I'll gladly take it. Thanks for what was given.

We don't have built-in rear view mirrors! We can't see things to the side of us or behind us.

Even to my friends... please don't pounce me, as much as you want to. If I get a heart attack in fursuit, you won't know until I stop moving.

If you want a hug, just open your arms out to me, and I'll be more than happy to oblige. (Asking me might not work, since I may not hear you through a fursuit head.)

You can practice animation moves without a suit... thats fun. Then when you are in one its already down. I guess a good idea is to have repair stuff and sweat (head) bands handy, and whatever you may need for head padding just in case the fit is off.
Just don't over do it and if you go to any dances go real slow at first with the dancing or you will burn out almost instantly.

Jeefers