• EMS ISD Athletic Department Environmental Policies

    Heat Policy for Outdoor Practices/Activities

    High temperatures can present a dangerous situation for student-athletes and coaches, but with reasonable precautions, those situations can be mitigated. The EMS ISD athletic department under the direction of the Athletic Director has adopted the following policies with regards to outdoor and non-air conditioned indoor activities. The athletic trainers at each high school can be consulted for the official temperature and the proper course of action for each day. Whenever possible, the head coach of any middle school or high school sport and athletic trainer should consult with each other as early as possible during an individual day in order for all concerned parties to be notified of possible changes to practice schedules/activities appropriately.

     
    It is not possible to prevent all heat-related illnesses in all athletes. Athletes have died from heat illness in 80-degree temperatures. The following policies are the minimum standard for all outdoor and non-air conditioned indoor activities within the EMS ISD athletic realm. The use of more stringent policies is up to each individual head coach. Outdoor sports include but are not limited to Football, Cross Country, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, and Track.
     
    Campus training staff and head coaches should collaborate prior to each practice to discuss specific conditions and planned activities for practice.
     
    When temperatures reach 96-99 degrees or heat index rises to 104 degrees.
    • All Outdoor Sports- Practices will include a 5-minute break every 30 minutes of practice in the shade if possible. 
    • Practice is not to exceed 2 hours total outdoor time.
    • Water should be available at all times during practice.
    • Football- Helmets off during breaks.
    • Cross Country Runners should run a course where all athletes can be viewed by a coach at all times, preferably on campus.

    When temperatures reach 100-103 degrees or heat index is between 105-109 degrees.

    • All Outdoor Sports- Grass fields preferred.
    • Practices will include a 5-minute break every 30 minutes of practice in the shade if possible.
    • Practice is not to exceed 2 hours total outdoor time.
    • Water should be available at all times during practice.
    • Football- Shorts and shoulder pads for practice. Helmets and shoulder pads off during breaks.
    • Cross Country- Runners should run a course where all athletes can be viewed by a coach at all times, preferably on campus.
    When the temperature is above 103 up to 105 degrees or heat index is between 110 -118 degrees.
     
    Middle School - ALL outdoor practices should be canceled or postponed.
     
    High School
    • All Outdoor Sports - Practice off of turf fields.
    • Practices will include a 5-minute break every 15 minutes of practice in the shade if possible.
    • Practice is not to exceed 1.5 hours total outdoor time.
    • Water should be available at all times during practice.
    • Football- Practices will be in t-shirts and shorts with helmet. Helmets off during breaks.
    • Cross Country- Runners should run a course where all athletes can be viewed by a coach at all times, preferably on campus.
    When the temperature reaches 106 degrees or the heat index is over 119 degrees.
     
    OUTDOOR PRACTICES WILL BE CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.
     

    Cold Policy for Outdoor Practices/Activities

    Due to the risk of hypothermia and frostbite during cold weather extremes, the following policy has been developed to protect EMS ISD athletes, coaches, game workers, and fans.  2:00 pm was chosen to provide ample time to contact all appropriate people to adjust plans for practices and games, and in most cases, the temperature will not increase significantly after this time of day.  In order to maintain consistency, all temperatures will be taken from the weather channel website using the zip code of the campus in question. 
     
    If the temperature is equal to or below 32 degrees F at 2:00 pm or during the time of activity prior to 2:00 pm as in the case of many earlier practices or tournament events, all outdoor practices and games will be canceled or moved indoors. 
     
    If there is a case where the above is not true, but the wind chill is equal to or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit then this will meet the same requirements as a 32 degree Fahrenheit temperature reading.
     
    As a general rule, anytime the temperature falls below 50 degrees it is strongly suggested that athletes and coaches wear appropriate clothing to protect themselves from the wind and temperatures whenever possible. This may include sweats, wind suits, and or under armor type gear.
     
    Lightning
     
    Purpose:   This policy is concerning lightning safety for outdoor sporting events, guidelines for the use of the flash to bang method, software programs,  and evacuation procedures applying to both local and district events.
     
    Statement Policy:   This policy is regarding lightning safety to be endorsed by the licensed athletic trainer, athletic director, principal, superintendent, and school board.
     
    Components of an Emergency Action Plan or Policy for Lightning Safety:
    1. The policy establishes a specific chain of command that identifies the person who has the authority to remove participants from athletic venues or activities.
    2. The policy establishes an appointed weather watcher who actively looks for signs of developing local thunderstorms, high winds, darkening clouds, and any lightning or thunder.
    3. The policy establishes that monitoring of the local forecast will be done through the use of weather radio, television, and the Internet.
    4. The policy establishes the definition and listing of safe structures or locations to evacuate to in the event of lightning. The lightning safe policy identifies the safe structure or location specific to each venue.
    5. The policy establishes a complete description for the criteria for both the suspension and resumption of athletic activities, games, or matches.

    LIGHTNING SAFETY POLICY:  FOR PRACTICES AND GAMES

    1. In the event that inclement weather is observed, the athletic trainer on duty will notify the affected coaches of that sport. If the weather becomes threatening, the coaches will be notified by the athletic trainer to evacuate the fields.
    2. In the event that inclement weather is observed during a game, the athletic trainer will notify the head coach, official, and if possible the visiting teams’ athletic trainer.
    3. The athletic trainer on duty will observe the weather through visual observation, monitor radar and media sites, along with lightening detection equipment. In the event that an athletic trainer in not present, this duty becomes that of the head coach. 
    4. The definition of a safe structure is any fully enclosed, substantial building. Ideally, the building should have plumbing, electrical wiring and telephone service. Safe structures would be the weight room / turf room with the doors closed, the gyms, the cafeteria, field house, and gymnastics gym. 
    The 30-30 Rule
    Criteria for suspension of activities:  By the time the flash to bang count approaches 30 seconds, all individuals should already be inside a safe shelter.
    Criteria for resumption of activities:  Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or observation of lightening before leaving the safe shelter to resume activities.
     
    Sky Scan
    The Sky Scan lightning detector is another device to measure lightening.  This device should only be used by individuals familiar with its function.
     
    3-8 Mile Rule
    Criteria for suspension of activities:   When the detector indicates at least two lightning strikes at a range of 3-8 miles all individuals should evacuate to a safe shelter.
    Criteria for resumption of activities:  Wait at least 30 minutes after the last indication of lightening in the 3-8 mile range before leaving the safe shelter to resume activities.
     
    30 Minute Rule
    The thirty-minute rule can be explained in another way.  A typical thunderstorm moves at a rate of approximately 25 miles per hour.  Experts believe that 30 minutes allows the thunderstorm to be about 10-12 miles from the area, minimizing the probability of a nearby and therefore dangerous, lightning strike.  Blue sky in the local area or a lack of rainfall is not an adequate reason to breach the 30-minute return to play rule.  Lightning can strike far from where it is raining, even when the clouds begin to clear and show evidence of blue sky.  This situation is often referred to as the “bolt out the blue.”  Each time lightning is observed or heard the 30-minute clock should be reset.
     
    Safe Shelter
    The definition of a safe structure is any fully enclosed, substantial building.  Ideally, the building would have plumbing, electrical wiring, and telephone service.  Safe structures would be the weight room, turf room with the door closed, the gymnasiums, cafeterias, and field house.  Shelters that would not be considered safe would be baseball/softball dugouts, under football stands, and any other structure that does not meet the above definition of a safe structure.

    COMMON SENSE RULE

    IF YOU SEE IT, FLEE IT

    IF YOU HEAR IT, CLEAR IT