Heat Management and Prevention Guidelines and Recommendations
The Orange High School Athletic Department uses the NCHSAA HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION POLICY in determining exercise guidelines for early fall and late spring athletic participation. The use of heat stress monitors, local forecasts, current heat and humidity, current wet bulb globe temperature readings, as well as the interpolation of the data by the current Athletic Training staff determines the policy for each given day.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends that adolescent athletes should allow up to 14 days to become fully acclimatized, gradually building intensity and duration of work in the heat.
Here are some tips for coaches and athletes to play it safe during hot weather:
Recommendations for Athletes and Parents:
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends that adolescent athletes should allow up to 14 days to become fully acclimatized, gradually building intensity and duration of work in the heat.
Here are some tips for coaches and athletes to play it safe during hot weather:
Recommendations for Athletes and Parents:
- Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing; if clothes become saturated with sweat, change into dry clothes.
- Try to drink cold water as frequently as possible. During long bouts of intense exercise, it's a good idea to use a sports drink that contains sodium to replace the sodium lost in sweat. Most sports drinks contain adequate salt. Salt tablets are not recommended.
- Pay attention to early signs and symptoms of dehydration: Dry or sticky mouth, thirst, headache, dizziness, cramps, and/or excessive fatigue
- Don’t let embarrassment keep you on the field. If you feel dehydrated or sick, tell your coach right away.
- Sleep at least six to eight hours at night in a cool environment, eat a well-balanced diet, and stay hydrated throughout the day, even when you are not on the playing field.
- Track body weight to make sure you are properly hydrated. Your goal should be less than 2 percent body-weight change during a practice session.
Lightning Safety Policy
Lightning is the most frequent weather hazard affecting athletic events. Advance planning is the single most important means to achieve lightning safety. Removing individuals from activity in the event of inclement weather is a shared responsibility of the athletic director, athletic trainer and coaching staff. The following steps are recommended:
The Orange High School Athletic Department uses the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) and NFHS protocol for Lightning in determining exercise/competition during inclement weather. The use of local forecasts, as well as the interpolation of the data by the current Athletic Training staff determines the recommendation for each given day. The "30-30 Rule" is the standing policy as well as the use of lightning detectors on campus to assist in the recognition of the impending danger.
For further explanation or information, please follow the link.
NATA Lightning Safety Position Statement
NFHS Lightning Policy
- It is the athletic training/coaching/athletic staff’s responsibility to be aware of current weather conditions within the area and potential threats. Staff will then be aware of the possibility of a storm forming or moving into the area during the day.
- The athletic training/coaching/athletic staff should be aware of the signs of a nearby thunderstorm. It is important to understand that thunderstorms can become threatening in the matter of half an hour. In addition, lightning can occur even with the absence of rain.
- The athletic training/coaching/ athletic staff should also be aware of the closest safe shelter to their practice or game site and the amount of time it takes to reach the safe shelter. ( Safe shelter is defined as: any sturdy building that has metal plumbing or wiring to electrically ground the structure, and in the absence of a sturdy building or any vehicle with a hard metal roof (not a golf cart or convertible) with the windows rolled up.)
- Stay away from tall or individual tree, poles, metal objects, standing pools of water, and open fields. Avoid being the tallest object in a field.
- If there is no safe shelter within a reasonable distance, crouch in a dry ditch. You should crouch with only your feet touching the ground, keeping your feet close together. Wrap your arms around your legs and tuck your head. DO NOT LIE FLAT.
- If you feel your hair stand on end, your skin tingle, or hear crackling noises, immediately crouch as described in #5.
- Allow 30 minutes to pass after the last sound of thunder and/or flash of lightning before resuming any activity. Lightning can still flash even after the rain stops.
- Lightning strike victims do not carry an electrical charge. CPR/AED is safe and should be utilized immediately if warranted.
The Orange High School Athletic Department uses the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) and NFHS protocol for Lightning in determining exercise/competition during inclement weather. The use of local forecasts, as well as the interpolation of the data by the current Athletic Training staff determines the recommendation for each given day. The "30-30 Rule" is the standing policy as well as the use of lightning detectors on campus to assist in the recognition of the impending danger.
- Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming play.
For further explanation or information, please follow the link.
NATA Lightning Safety Position Statement
NFHS Lightning Policy