Chapel Hill High School Hot Weather
Guidelines and Procedures for Athletic Practice
Based on National Athletic Trainers Association Recommendations
The following procedure has been adopted by Chapel Hill High School in response to a request from the Georgia High School Association regarding practices and competitions conducted during times of extremely high heat and/or humidity. The head coach for each sport or activity shall see that this policy is distributed to all players prior to the first practice.
Sean Kelly Mickey Harper
Principal, Chapel Hill High School Head Coach/Director, Softball
(Sport/Activity)
GUIDELINES FOR TESTING
The following are guidelines for coaches and staff to follow. In responding to each situation that arises, coaches and staff should use their professional judgment.
Each head coach shall designate a person to monitor and record heat index levels. Approximately thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of activity, temperature and heat index reading should be taken at the practice
or competition site from internet sites such as www.weather.com www.accuweather.com or comparable
source.
In addition, a scientifically approved instrument that measures the heat index should be utilized at the practice or competition site and readings should be taken at approximately thirty (30) minute intervals.
The information should be recorded on the attached DCSS “Heat Index Measurement” form and these records shall be available for inspection upon request. Each head coach and/or designee will be required to submit this form to their local Athletic Director daily.
If a reading is determined whereby activity is to be decreased (at or above 95 Heat Index) then re-readings would be taken approximately every thirty (30) minutes to determine if further activity should be eliminated or preventative steps taken, or if an increased level of activity can resume.
Activity should be altered and / or eliminated based on the Heat Index as follows:
Under 95 degreesHeat Index
“Green Flag” / *All Sports
Ø Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available at regular intervals and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Ø Optional water breaks approximately every 30 - 45 minutes for approximately 10 minutes duration.
Ø Ice-down towels for cooling.
Ø Watch / monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
95 degrees to 99 degrees Heat Index
“Yellow Flag” / *All Sports
Ø Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available at regular intervals and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Ø Mandatory water breaks approximately every 30 - 45 minutes for approximately 10 minutes duration.
Ø Ice-down towels for cooling.
Ø Watch / monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
*Contact Sports
Ø Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety.
Ø Reduce time of outside activity. RECOMMENDATION: Practice should not exceed 2-1/2 hours. Consider moving practice to morning or later in the day.
Ø Re-check temperature and heat index approximately every 30 minutes to monitor for increased risks.
100 degrees to 105 degrees Heat Index
“Red Flag” / *All Sports
Ø Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available at regular intervals and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Ø Mandatory water breaks approximately every 30 minutes for approximately 10 minutes duration.
Ø Ice-down towels for cooling.
Ø Watch / monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
Ø Alter uniforms by removing items where feasible.
Ø Allow for changes to dry T-shirts and shorts.
Ø Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning is not available. RECOMMENDATION: Practice length should be 2 hours or less. Consider moving practice to morning or later in the day. Limited conditioning.
*Contact sports and activities with additional equipment
Ø Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. RECOMMENDATION: Football wears helmets, t-shirts and shorts.
Ø Re-check temperature and heat index approximately every 30 minutes for increased risks.
Above 105 degrees Heat Index
“Black Flag” / *All Sports
Stop all outside activity in practice and / or play and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COACHES
Ø Have water available and accessible
Ø Have emergency ice available on site
Ø Wear light color practice cloth/gear
Ø Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness
Ø Notify parents of any heat related problem
MANDATORY PRE AND POST WEIGHT-INS (FOOTBALL ONLY)
Ø Daily pre and post practice weigh-ins are required to be taken by all football players and anyone who is not at or above 97% of the previous day’s pre-practice weight shall be withheld from practice. Athletes who lose more than 3% of their weight during practice should also be counseled on the importance of pre-hydrating, drinking more fluids during the practice session and post practice re-hydration.
Ø A list of athletes most susceptible to heat illness must by maintained by the Head Coach, Athletic Trainer and or his/her designee. This list should include athletes with a medical history of heat illness, athletes losing more than 3% of their weight during a practice and athletes that have reported symptoms of heat illness during the season.
Ø If an athlete’s doctor informs the coaching staff or athletic trainer in writing that the athlete has suffered a heat-related illness during the season, the athlete MAY NOT participate until cleared in writing by the doctor.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLUID REPLACEMENT
Ø Athletes should be educated in the process of hydrating themselves as a 24 hour a day process.
Ø Before exercise:
o Drink 17 – 20 ounces of water 2 -3 hours before exercise
o Drink an additional 7 – 10 ounces of water 10 – 20 minutes before exercise
Ø During exercise:
o Refer to the above guidelines
Ø After exercise:
o Drink enough fluids to replace any weight loss within two hours of completion of activity
o Fluid replacement should be at a rate of 24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost after exercise
Ø Urine color is an easy method to determine hydration status. Light yellow to clear urine indicates a well-hydrated athlete.
HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION: THE THREE PERCENT LIMIT CHART (attached)
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
DURING EXTREME HOT AND HUMID WEATHER
1. Each school shall have and use a heat index monitor, or a similar device for measuring environmental factors.
1. All Activities: Monitor and follow all guidelines.
2. Football Only: Will be required to measure and document the Heat Index prior to outdoor practice through the month of August, during spring practice in May, and other times when conditions warrant. This can be done by the school athletic administrator, athletic trainer or a football coach.
2. Practices and games should be held early in the morning and later in the evening to avoid times when environmental conditions are generally more severe.
3. An unlimited supply of cold water shall be available to participants during practices and games.
1. Any request by a student to receive water will be granted without question by the coach or supervisor.
2. Hydration and fluid replacement is a daily process. Students should hydrate themselves before, during, and after practice. Meals should include an appropriate amount of fluid intake in addition to a healthy diet.
4. Give adequate rest periods.
1. Football players shall be allowed to remove helmets.
2. Shoulder pads should be removed if conditions warrant.
5. Gradually acclimatize participants to the heat.
1. Research indicates 80% acclimatization may be achieved in 7-10 days, but could take up to 14 days. In some cases, it may take several weeks to become fully acclimated.
2. The length and intensity of practice should be adjusted according to the WBT until acclimatization occurs.
6. Athletic participants should weigh in before practice and weigh out after to monitor water loss to identify those who are becoming dehydrated.
7. Participants should wear clothes that are light in weight and color.
8. Students who need careful monitoring include:
1. Overweight students
2. Weight control problems (fluctuation)
3. Those taking over-the-counter and prescription medication
4. Students who have done absolutely no exercise at all
9. Be familiar with all heat related symptoms and corresponding treatments.
10. Be familiar with any emergency and 911 procedures.
11. Be familiar with the Heat Index Chart and utilize guidelines determining length of practice and rest periods.
12. After each practice and/or game, coaches should monitor the dressing room to insure each student/athlete does not require medical attention.
HEAT ILLNESS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS
(As Recommended by the National Athletic Trainers Association, July 1999)
Heat illness is used to define several types of afflictions suffered when an individual experiences a rising body temperature and dehydration. Following are the different forms identified by the N.A.T.A.
Symptoms Treatments
Heat Cramps - Muscle spasms caused by an - Rest in a cool place
imbalance of water and - Drink plenty of fluids
electrolytes in muscles - Proper stretching and massaging
- Usually affects the legs and - Application of ice in some cases
abdominal muscles
Heat Exhaustion - Can be a precursor to heat stroke - Get to a cool place immediately and
- Normal to high temperature out of the heat
- Heavy sweating - Drink plenty of fluids
- Skin is flushed or cool and pale - Remove excess clothing
- Headaches, dizziness - In some cases, immerse body in
- Rapid pulse, nausea, weakness cool water
- Can occur without prior symptoms,
such as cramps
Heat Stroke - Body=s cooling system shuts down - Call 911 immediately
- Increase core temperature of 104NF - Cool bath with ice packs near large
or greater arteries, such as neck, armpits,
- If untreated it can cause brain groin
damage, and even death - Replenish fluids by drinking or
- Sweating stops Intravenously, if needed
- Shallow breathing and rapid pulse
- Possible disorientation of lose
consciousness
- Possible irregular heartbeat and
cardiac arrest