Overview Iona College Sports Medicine recognizes the importance of closely monitoring heat and cold conditions for practices and competitions. Especially in extreme cases of heat or cold, athletes are at a much greater risk for injury or illness, and therefore special considerations must be taken. It is the policy of Iona College Sports Medicine that extreme heat or cold will warrant modified or cancelled practice or competition. Such modifications will be in line with policies and position statements posted by both the NCAA and the National Athletic Trainers Association. NCAA 2014-2015 Sports Medicine Handbook National Athletic Trainer s Association Position Statements o Environmental Cold Injuries o Exertional Heat Illness It will be the responsibility of the Sports Medicine staff to notify coaches of necessary practice modifications or cancellations based on these documents. Additionally, the Head Athletic Trainer, Athletic Director, and head coach will be responsible for coordinating decisions on the cancellation of athletic contests. Monitoring Weather The Sports Medicine staff will monitor weather conditions throughout the day using, but not limited to, WeatherSentry, and a Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter. The Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter is a digital handheld weather meter that has the ability to measure, among other things: Relative humidity Heat stress index Wet bulb temperature Wind chill Air, water, & snow temperature Current wind speed Average wind speed During days that extreme weather may call for altered practice conditions, a member of the Sports Medicine staff will take appropriate measurements using the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter. This measurement will be taken midfield of the practice site to guarantee the most accurate information. 1
Cold Weather Policy In addition to the following policies, it is imperative that student-athletes participating in outdoor practice/competition be appropriately dressed for the elements. If any individual is determined by the Sports Medicine or coaching staff to not be adequately dressed, he/she will be removed from practice. Wind Chill Chart The National Weather Service Wind Chill chart will be used as a reference for potential modifying conditions. The current cold weather guidelines were developed using this chart: Cold Weather Guidelines Wind-Chill Temperature Adjustment 30 F 25 F Total exposure time: maximum of 2 hours 25 F 15 F Cover all exposed skin as possible Rewarm: every 20 min for at least 10 minutes Total exposure time: maximum of 60 minutes 15 F 0 F Consider limiting or modifying activity to limit exposure Rewarm: every 15 min for at least 10 minutes Total exposure time: maximum of 30 minutes < 0 F Cancel practice 2
Hot Weather Policy Practice or competition in hot and/or humid environments can pose special problems for student-athletes. Heat illness, which primarily affects those participating outdoors, can also affect those participating indoors with poor air circulation. Prevention Since it is not practical to cancel or reschedule practice/competition every time the temperature is above 90 or the humidity is above 70%, prevention is the primary goal. In situations where heat illness is of concern, it is important that student-athletes wear proper moisture wicking clothing, and adequate rest periods are scheduled to allow for heat dissipation. Water breaks should be given more frequently, and water should be made available at times between breaks. Lastly, all efforts should be made to allow for acclimatization. The Sports Medicine staff will monitor weather conditions throughout the day, using, but not limited to, WeatherSentry, and a Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter. In addition, the Heat Index reading, and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), will be used to determine if and what changes need to be made to practice plans. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature The following chart, which was adapted from the NATA Exertional Heat Illness Position Statement, will be used to determine risk based on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature: WBGT Level of Risk Comments <65 F Low Risk low, but may still exist based on risk factors 65-73 F Moderate Risk level increases as event progresses through the day 73-82 F High Everyone should be aware of injury potential; individuals with added risk should not compete >82 F Extreme or Hazardous Consider rescheduling or delaying the event until conditions are safer 3
Heat Index The National Weather Service Heat Index Chart will be used as a reference to determine potential modifying conditions: Once the Heat Index reaches 90, changes will be considered, and may take place based on the current status of the event. At a Heat Index of 105, all events will either be delayed or cancelled. 4
Lightning Policy Lightning is recognized as a significant threat to the safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff members, and spectators. As such, the following policy has been developed to promote the safety of all individuals involved in athletics in an outdoor environment. Monitoring the Weather It shall be the responsibility of the Sports Medicine staff to monitor the weather report on a regular basis. This will be done using both a local weather forecast, as well as WeatherSentry. It is also monitored with the use of a portable lightning detector available in the Athletic Training Room. When thunder storms or severe weather is predicted for an area, it shall be the Sports Medicine staff s responsibility to closely monitor and alert if the situation so calls for. When to Stop Play Lightning can be judged using a Flash-to-bang ratio, where the individual counts the number of seconds between a lightning strike and the sound of thunder. A flash-to-bang ratio of 30 seconds and 45 seconds for the Softball field will signal cessation of all play outdoors. By the time a flash-to-bang ratio of 30 is obtained, all players, coaches, and spectators should have cleared the field. Consideration of proximity of the playing field to a safe structure will be used to determine when to clear fields. A safe structure is defined as any building enclosed by solid walls normally occupied or frequently used by people, which contains electrical wiring and plumbing that acts as a ground for the structure. (See Emergency Action Plan for safe structures for each playing site). During a lightning storm, avoid use of land line telephones, showers, and any water-filled apparatus (including swimming pools). Enclosed vehicles (cars, vans, etc) can be utilized as safe structures when no building is available. All windows should be closed, and occupants should avoid touching any metal surfaces in the car. Resuming Play When a storm passes an area, special caution should be used before returning to play. Although blue skies may appear overhead, lightning strikes still pose a significant threat in the first few minutes after a storm. For this reason, a time of 30 minutes must pass between the last visible lighting strike and/or sound of thunder before play can be resumed. 5