Preparing for race weekend at IMS
SPEEDWAY, IN (WISH) –The 102nd of the Indianapolis 500 is just days away. Many people have prepared behind the scenes in anticipation for the race.
Some of those are medical professionals at the Indiana University Health Infield Care Center.
Inside the center, they are equipped for emergencies for both drivers and spectators.
“We see somewhere between 600-800 spectators on race day from year to year, depends a lot on the weather conditions. The hotter and more humid it is, the more people we see,” said Geoff Billows, Doctor of Emergency Medicine with IU Health.
During the month of May, IU Health has a rotation program where resident students can get specialized training in motorsports and event medicine. Residents get experience at different areas of the track that include pit medics on pit lane and emergency medicine in the infield care center. They make rounds through the crowds during the snake pit concerts, and also on the track surface with the safety crew who retrieve drivers after an accident.
Dr. Billows said there are things fans can do to prepare for the upcoming race weekend.
“We are concerned that people haven’t had a chance to acclimate. We would like people to be aware of their hydration status. Start hydrating a day or two in advance. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, electrolyte fluids, water. When you come to the race, wear sunscreen, reapply it frequently, make sure you protect your eyes, wear sunglasses, and make sure you protect your hearing,” he added.
He said heat exhaustion and heat related injuries are a big problem during a hot race weekend. The symptoms for those can be found here.