U-M's 'Big House' ready to host football crowd on 90-degree day
(This story was corrected to reflect that free water was being offered to fans at water stations inside Michigan Stadium during the game.) Scorching temps, alcohol consumption and stadium seating: it’s a typical mix for a opening day at Michigan Stadium, but also a recipe for emergency room visits.
University of Michigan fans and football players cheer at the Sept. 4, 2010 opening game against UConn. The game proved to be too much to handle for 13 individuals who were transported from the stadium to area hospitals. U-M is prepared to treat patients Saturday at the stadium.
Last year’s 3:30 p.m. opener against UConn drew a record 113,090-person crowd to a renovated Big House. The game also sent 78 fans to seek medical treatment at the stadium; 13 of them were transported to area hospitals, said Diane Brown, spokesperson for the U-M Department of Public Safety.
On Saturday, Emergency medical staffers will be stationed at north side of Michigan Stadium, while Huron Valley Ambulance and American Red Cross personnel will roam the stands looking for fans in distress.
Mark J. Lowell, an ER physician and professor at U-M, is stationed football Saturdays at the stadium.
The older fans he sees more often get in trouble with heat-related illnesses, while younger fans are more likely to fall victim to overconsumption of alcohol.
Fans might need some relief from the heat. It’s going to be a scorcher, with a high of 90 degrees and a heat index of 95, said Matt Mosteiko, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's White Lake office.
There’s also a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms, possibly severe, between 3 and 10 p.m., Mosteiko said.
Lowell recommends fans take common sense precautions to deal with the heat and watch out for symptoms of heat-related illness.
“Keep yourself well hydrated, wear light, loose clothing, sunscreen of course, and if you feel yourself getting too warm, get out of the heat and into the shade, pour some water on yourself and put yourself in front of a fan - the kind that blows air not the kind that cheers for Michigan," he said.
"If you are sweating a lot, feeling pale, nauseated, weak, dizzy or have a headache, it’s time to seek medical medical attention or get into air conditioning to see if that helps."
If the AC doesn't make you feel better, seek medical attention, he said.
Starting in fall 2010, fans were banned from taking water bottles into the Big House.
U-M officials said water stations were set up inside the stadium to offer free water to fans. Bottled water also was available for sale.
The Red Cross also urges individuals to learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness:
• Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat exhaustion occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke, or sunstroke, is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 105 degrees.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
So all this talk of restrictions and security.... But the real pink elephant that has been ignored seems to be the lightning risk. The expansion of the stadium from 2 stories high to 8 stories has made it a much taller target. Where do all those people go for shelter during a 30 minute delay?
Tom Joad
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
Glad I gave my ticket away. You see it was easy...check the weather forecast. My brother who is at the game reported people "passing out left and right" (unsubstantiated)
dogman32
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Re: the continual errors in the use of common English and other facts, that's what happens when you let go all of the Copy Editors. Spell check only looks for grammatical mistakes, not the context within which the proper wording should be used. It's been this way since the onset of A2.com.
10dz
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
it's 100 degrees right now with the humidity. Add 110,000 fans in all that concrete and metal and it will feel like 110 degrees in there. But it's MICHIGAN football, so we will be there. I will bring my block of ice. Good suggestion!! GO BLUE!!
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 4 p.m.
I found the water loophole. Nothing in the rules prohibits you from bringing in a block of ice. Does Downtown Home and Garden sell those giant ice tongs?
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
I heard of a store that might have them. It's called "Bongs and Tongs" Anyone been there?
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
It is interesting to note that for the NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway, they allow people to bring in coolers with BEER and food. And they allow re-entry. You can go in and out to fill up your cooler with more of your own "free" BEER. These are events that have in the past attracted approximately 200,000 people. And yet, somehow, you can't bring even an empty plastic water bottle into Michigan Stadium. Guess they need to pay for the new suites and scoreboards somehow.
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
"FREE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT!" Hang in there! Help is coming! Amnesty International will be along shortly to take your complaint. Doctors Without Borders is flying in. Turkey is sending an aid ship to Ann Arbor.
15crown00
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Hey Murrow they'll rip u off any way they can. The day is upon us for the recovery to begin.
Ross
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
FREE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT! Shame on the university. The entire athletic department has become a disgrace. That said, go blue.
NiceMatters
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
I absolutely cannot believe that Dave Brandon and his Leadership team are not actively working on getting several watering stations set up at the stadium given the 90+ degree temps expected later today. To not make sure the fans are safe goes against everything they have been talking about as far as positively maximizing the "fan experience". Having free large "Go Blue" water cups filled with water on hot football game days is a great marketing effort for the brand. So what if they don't sell as many $5 bottles of water. What they gain in the positive fan experience is worth far more.
thecompound
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
agree. and there will always be those that prefer to have their water "out of a bottle" vs. tap
MjC
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
Um, er... water does NOT cost $5 in the stadium. More like $2. And there are drinking fountains and usually hydration stations available. Not to mention it's going to rain... I'm excited for the game, can't understand the haters, and all I can say is GO BLUE!
Ross
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Actually you are way off. It is 100% more than what you state, as of last season. The only water that can be purchased last season was 4 DOLLARS. And it is the crappiest tasting water that I've ever had out of a bottle. Absopure takes common swamp land ground water and performs the bare minimum filtering required. Then I'm pretty sure they salt it just a little to achieve minimal hydration factor, and get people to feel thirsty again.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
wondering why they ban a bottle of water doesn't equate to a "hater" anymore than not asking questions makes you a "sheep"
Wendell
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1 p.m.
Where can I find the schedule of busses running from Briarwood?
15crown00
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
now where do you think you might.use your BLUE BRAIN
musicnerdsftw
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
No more hydration stations?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
It must be the start of football season..... an article warning people that going to the game could be fatal with tips on how to mitigate the death option. Maybe what it would take would be a hot shot lawyer (call Sam's face) to sue the and win millions on behalf of the grieving family of their now dead from heat stroke loved one to get the U to rethink the wisdom of rationing water
MIKE
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
@Ross, what sort of legal case? Nobody is forcing anyone to attend the game, and water is being provided, both free and for a charge.
Ross
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2 p.m.
I'm thinking there is a serious legal case even before someone gets sick or dies from heat stroke. Water is a basic human right.
Ron Granger
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
Do not include the well-healed graduates who could afford the suites in your tally of those scrounging for water to survive. They'll be enjoying the game in air conditioned bliss, as they eat a catered meal. But rest assured, your willingness to obey the rules and pay $5 for water is what makes their luxury possible.
xmo
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
Western does have a Good QB and Michigan does have the 2010 September Heisman Trophy winner but is it really worth watching this game?
tom swift jr.
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
Do the math. 113,000 times $5 (assuming that one 12 oz. bottle of water will get you through 4 hours in 95 degree heat while you sit in a hole in the ground with 113000 other people. Let's make some other assumptions. Let's assume that that water is purchased by the vendors for, say, .25 cents per bottle. Let's assume that there are related costs to sell that bottle, I'll be generous and say another .75 cents per bottle. Let's assume that you buy two bottles today (it's gonna be HOT folks!), that makes for 226,000 bottles at a profit of $4 per bottle. Someone just made nearly a million $$$'s selling water, in one day. Do you REALLY think that "security" is the reason for the "no water" rule.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
No plans for free water? Can't bring in your own water? I guess getting $5 per bottle from the Michigan faithful is more important than insuring that they don't die of heatstroke today. This is unconscionable. Good Night and Good Luck
Ross
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
Agreed, totally unconscionable. I have tickets in hand for an upcoming game... but will likely sell them. If I can't bring my own water or access free water in the stadium.... kind of the last straw. FREE WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
Of course, one is the university, the other is the city. The one has no impact on the environment; the other has a huge impact on the environment. Otherwise, Mort, the two are EXACTLY the same. Good Night and Good Luck
golfer
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
just like the idle fines that are going to be here? who cares if you are waiting for you child to get out of school. in the winter. we need more money for art work.
SonnyDog09
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
"Last year's 3:30 p.m. opener against UConn drew a record 133,090-person crowd to a renovated Big House. " That should be 113,090 It's hard to take anything on this site seriously, given the number of errors published each week. Do you folks have any process in place to improve the quality of your product?
Juliana Keeping
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
Hi Sonny. That was a typo-it's been corrected-Juliana
A2comments
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
Yess wi due.
Halter
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.
Also, it's not "Attendants"....it's "attendees"
mg0blue
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
"There were no plans for water giveaways as of Friday, Brown said. Fans can drink at drinking fountains or purchase water bottles at the stadium." So, if there are no plans for water being given away and fans are forced to drink from the drinking fountains, what's the line for those gonna look like?!??! I mean the other option would be for everyone to fill up their water bot.....oh, nevermind, you can't bring those in the stadium. I guess the last option is probably the most feasible, spending $5 on a bottle of water, seeing as how our economy is in such great shape and we all can afford it, right?
A2comments
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
Lines are not permitted. For security reasons you must mill around until you spot an opening in the water line...