MU Health Care doctors warn football fans of heat illness during first Mizzou game
The Mizzou Tigers took the field for their first football game of the season at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The heat indices were near 100 degrees, and doctors with MU Health Care urged fans to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
“Signs to look out for that someone might need help would be if they start feeling they are going to pass out, they may feel like their heart’s racing, they may feel like their vision is closing in on them,” Dr. Christopher Sampson said.
Sampson said to prevent those symptoms, people should drinks lots of water, wear light colors and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Sampson said people drinking alcohol should remember to also drink water. He said once a person starts to feel thirsty, they are already “late to the game” for staying hydrated.
Fans going to the game are allowed to bring a factory-sealed water bottle so they can refill it for free and stay hydrated.
Sampson said a full medical staff and three first-aid stations will be available at the game.
ABC 17 News talked to Tiger fans before kick-off to see how they beat the heat.
MU fun Micahel Loos said it’s a family tradition to come to the MU home opener. He said this is the hottest game he can remember.
“We drink a lot of water obviously, find a shady spot under a tree or just under some tents or something like that,” Loos said.
Law enforcement said the temperature inside the stadium is at least 20 degrees warmer because there’s no air-flow.
That means fans were in triple degree temperatures cheering on the Tigers.
Some fans opted to have an all-day tailgate and stay in the shade under a tent instead of heading into the game to sit in the sun.
“It’s really really hot today and we have a tent, we have the TV showing the game and its just a little more comfortable out here,” MU Fan Trey Conklin said.
MU student Luke Fisher handed out free paper fans on popsicle sticks to tiger fans as they entered the stadium. Fisher is a part of the MU Wellness Resource Center, which has a grant that provides fans for those attending hot games.
