MU Health Care reminds football fans to drink water as the Tigers kick off their season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Tigers football season kicks off on Thursday night and the extreme heat has MU Health Care preparing to help out especially for heat-related illnesses.

MU Health Care Medical Director Joshua Stilley said there are roughly 30 medical personnel located throughout Memorial Stadium. There is also 3 aid stations located on the East, West and North end zone of the stadium.

"We have first aid stations and a large number of medical crew here to help support the fans and the medical crew station," Stilley said.

When tailgate parking opened at 2 p.m., there were not as many tailgaters rolling in to start the gameday, and Stilley said he believed most people were holding back due to the extreme heat.

For those tailgaters have been outside all day, Stilley recommends to enjoy Game Day while also staying safe and drinking water throughout the day.

"Like any other great Missouri day, if you are drinking alcohol, make sure to use a lot of water in between. So for every alcoholic beverage, one or two, the equivalent volume of water is definitely a good idea to try to make sure you stay hydrated," Stilley said.

ABC 17 News spoke with some people tailgating who described the extreme heat and said how they were staying cool.

"It's a Missouri July in September," said Jessica Caldera, who is a frequent tailgater.

Caldera said her tent was equipped with fans, jugs of water, and plenty of shade to keep her and her friends cool.

Another football fan, Nicholas Rodriguez, also known as NicDanger, said this heat took him by suprise.

Before the game, MU Health Care confirmed there have been eight individuals treated at the stadium for heat related illnesses, and one person transported to the hospital.

"This heat feels like go in your house when you're about to cook some toast. Turn the oven on, let it warm up, open your oven and let that heat hit you in the face. And that's how it feels in Columbia, Missouri, today on this first game," Rodriguez said.

For those experiencing heat-related illness, or any other medical emergency, Stilley said there is a central communication system between staff in the stadium and to approach any of them to get the proper help.

"You can make your way to any of the helpers in the stadium. So that could be the ushers. Or if you see an EMS or fire personnel, you can contact them," Stilley said. "We all have a central operation center and the message can get relayed to EMS to get help."