CoTA unveils new medical facility

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Just days away from Austin's inaugural Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race, the Circuit of The Americas track on Tuesday offered a sneak peak of the new state-of-the-art medical facility to show just how prepared first responders are for the big race.

In the blink of an eye, emergencies situations can happen on an F1 race track. Medical officials say being prepared is key to a successful weekend of practice, qualifying and Sunday's big races.

"The reason for that is you don't want to waste time. You have very little time in a serious situation where you can save someone's life," said Dr. Stephen Olvey.

The race against the clock has CoTA going above and beyond to ensure safety for both drivers and spectators.

"You're probably better off having a heart attack here than you are at home," joked Olvey.

If the excitement gets to be too much for fans there are seven satellite aid stations set up around the track, along with a main state-of-the-art facility; equipped with local medical experts working overtime as staff.

"We could take care of full-blown cardiac arrests, for example, or major multiple trauma with one of the race participants," said Olvey.

If patients require serious medical attention STARFlight helicopters will be on hand ready to transport them to UMC Brackenridge in less than three minutes.

Drivers aren't the only ones getting ready for the big day. Paramedics went through rescue drills Tuesday as they prepare for an environment where the dangers are great and the risks are high -- realities that may set in this weekend.

"They're traveling at high speeds they're using highly flammable liquids that could easily ignite just off the temperatures of their engines," said Adan Torres, a Travis County paramedic.

And while first responders are equipped with technology, the know-how, and the manpower to handle anything that comes their way -- they say they're hoping they won't have to use it on Sunday.

"We don't expect anything to go wrong we would love to just sit out here and enjoy the race just as much as anybody else," said Torres.