Healthy Tips for U.S. Open Spectators from the Official Health Care Provider, New Island Hospital

The hundreds of thousands of spectators who have tickets to the U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park this year are probably busy planning how to make the most of the day - which golfers to follow, which hole to sit on, and even where to park.  However, there are also steps they can take to ensure that the experience is as safe as possible.  New Island Hospital is the Official Health Care Provider for the 2009 U.S. Open and offers the following tips for anyone planning some time on the Black Course from June 15-21.

Teams of volunteer nurses and physicians from New Island Hospital have been meeting regularly to prepare for the 2009 U.S. Open.  The volunteers have taken part in numerous training exercises designed to address a wide range of medical scenarios.  In 2002, the last time the U.S. Open was held at Bethpage, 777 of the 280,000 attendees utilized medical services.  Most were treated successfully on-site.  In fact, only two people had to be transferred to the Emergency Department for additional evaluation and treatment.  The most common medical complaints in 2002 were heat exhaustion, eye injuries and blisters. 

"The symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, headaches, thirst, nausea and excessive sweating," said Dr. Joe Bruni, New Island Hospital's Emergency Department Chairman.   "One of the best things that people can do to prevent this is to drink plenty of fluids all day - don't wait until you feel thirsty.  And, dress in layers so you can remain comfortable as the temperature rises."

According to Dr. Bruni, an outdoor event can easily lead to eye problems.  "Many people forget about protecting their eyes, but they are vulnerable and we recommend that everyone wear protective eye gear, such as sunglasses, throughout the day.  This not only helps to protect the eyes from debris that may be flying around, like dust, it also reduces the eyes' exposure to UV rays, which can cause blurry vision, redness and irritation."

The New Island Hospital volunteers also expect to treat blisters, both from the sun and from improper footwear.  "First and foremost, everyone should put on sunscreen before they leave the house and then reapply it several times during the day.  We also recommend wearing a hat with a wide brim," said Dr. Bruni.  "Foot blisters are another common complaint, but wearing shoes that are comfortable and made for walking can go a long way toward prevention.  You'll be walking up and down hills, possibly on wet ground, and some of that walking may be in rough terrain, so this is not the time to place fashion over function." 

No amount of preparation can completely eliminate the possibility of injuries or illness.  Anyone in need of medical attention at the U.S. Open should go to one of the many medical tents, which can be easily identified by a red flag.  Medical volunteers will also be stationed throughout the golf course and can be identified by their red shirt and khaki pants.