Avoid the heat of the day: Practices should be scheduled for mornings and/or late afternoons, when possible and no strenuous outdoor activity should be required between 10a and 2p when heat is an issue.

Extreme heat calls for extreme measures: High heat and humidity (above 90 degrees and/or 85% humidity) may require practices to be modified, moved or cancelled. If a Coach is asked to make a practice change by Mr. Hossler, ATC, it must be understood that practice time can be made up and the health of the athlete must be the first priority. In questionable weather conditions, practice times must be limited to 2 hours with scheduled rest/water breaks out of the sun at least every 20 minutes. Football players must remove padding (helmet/shoulder pads) every 45 minutes to allow body cooling.

Read the Signs: Signs of dehydration include weakness, dizziness, irritability, headache, cramps, nausea/vomiting, and/or an inability to perform as expected. Athletes showing these signs should be removed from participation, given cool fluids, and moved to a cool area under supervision. The Athletic Trainer should be called for evaluation. No athlete removed from participation due to these symptoms should be allowed to return to play until evaluated by Mr. Hossler, certified athletic trainer and the athlete's physician.

Hydrate, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!!!: Hydration plays a key role in the prevention of heat-related medical conditions.     Your thirst cannot be relied upon to  indicate the need for water. 

·        All athletes should be encouraged to "pre-hydrate" before practices and games, by drinking 16-20 ounces of fluid (water or "sports drink") 2-3 hours before activity and an additional 8-10 ounces before taking the field.

·        During participation, water must be brought to every practice and game (never assume the other team will provide water on away trips and never start practice without water available).

·        All athletes are encouraged to provide their own water bottle (to prevent cross-contamination-"sharing" should not be permitted) at practices and games and these can be refilled from provided water coolers as needed.

·        Water breaks should be scheduled at least every 20 minutes and athletes should be encouraged to drink at least 8 ounces each break. Athletes should never be denied water if they ask for it.

·        After participation, re-hydration is of major importance. Athletes should be reminded to re-hydrate at the rate of 16 ounces of fluid for each pound lost during participation.  The athlete's  should  check urine color  as a means of evaluating their status (proper hydration=clear urine; dehydration =dark yellow/brown urine)

Remember- come to practice already hydrated, don’t look to get hydrated during practice !! 

 

Copy-and-paste this link for additional information--http://www.fhsaa.org/health/pdf/parentandcoachesguide.pdf