AT least 350 Formula One fans were treated for heat-related illness during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
In temperatures that hit as high as 37C yesterday alone, people had to be treated at the medical team’s 11 spectator clinics peppered throughout Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), with some even fainting at Saturday night’s concert due to low fluid intake.
However, all medical complaints have been mild and none have required urgent medical attention or transfer to hospital, said BIC chief medical officer Dr Amjad Obeid.
“Altogether, 350 spectators were treated and all of them had minor complaints that did not require urgent medical care or transfer to the hospital,” Dr Obeid told the GDN.
“Some people fainted at the concert because they were there for long hours, some weren’t eating or drinking enough, but once they come to the spectator clinics, they just get some fluids and rest for a while and they’re fine.
“I’d say less than six people fainted, but it was something like that.
“It was really crowded, it got hot with so many people, and some people in particular were standing from early in the day to be able to stand at the front of the stage. Those in particular may have not had enough food or drink.”
While only 40 people – out of staff, marshals, teams, journalists and spectators – visited the medical centre for help.
“There hasn’t been any need for medical help during the races, which is great, that’s what we want at the end of the day – a safe race where we’re not needed,” said Dr Obeid.
“I would say about 40 patients attended the medical centre, whether marshal, mechanic or competing team members.”
Dr Obeid also said that thousands of samples of sunscreen were distributed to marshals throughout the weekend.
“The day is long, some people were here from early morning till midnight, so if you don’t have enough food and rest, you’ll be exhausted,” he explained.
“Race day was more pleasant than Saturday’s heat, despite the dust, because it’s not that bad.
“We told marshals to drink fluids and Gatorade, and salt-containing drinks, to avoid dehydration.
“There have been mild heat-related illnesses, varying from mild sunburns to patients complaining of headaches and dizziness. This was simply controlled by encouraging marshals and organisers to increase intake of fluids and salt-containing drinks.
“The major challenge in Bahrain is to run the event without a compromise because of the warm weather.
“This was overcome, though, by having people stay in the shade and distributing sunscreen.
“I brought 2,500 samples of sunscreen myself and distributed to the marshals to ensure that they had the right measures in place.”
He added that he would be putting forward a proposal to increase vending machines or ways in which to distribute water at next year’s F1 weekend.
“I think we need to have more vending machines, especially for times during concerts where it’s crowded,” he said.
“It’s a valid point that we need more points in the vending area for drinks machines, I’ll be putting that suggestion forward in an e-mail.”
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