High school students across the Triangle are starting outdoor practices this week during ongoing dangerous heat.
In response to one of the hottest summers on record for the state, the N.C. High School Athletic Association has protocols in place to protect student athletes from heat illnesses.
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Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
The NCHSAA implemented the following rules for outdoor practices this year:
- A license athletic trainer or first responder must be at practice.
- Students should have access to water with multiple breaks.
- Football plays need to start the season wearing minimal gear and acclimate to hot temperatures.
Willow Spring High School football players were up early Tuesday morning to beat the heat. Wake County Public Schools says, in the summer months, students do not practice between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Even before and after those times, a licensed athletic trainer is on the field constantly monitoring the Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer. The device tracks air temperature, humidity, air movement and direct sunlight.
"Every day, during summer, and even after summer starts, we use the wet bulb globe thermometer," Amber Breen, the Wake County Public Schools Senior Administrator of Athletics, said. "That number lets us know what we can and cannot do outside."
She said there are four ranges. The ranges dictate how much gear students can wear, how long they can stay outside and how frequent they should take breaks.
Janna Fonseca, the NCHSAA Director of Health, Safety, Wellness and Student Programs said it's important for parents to check on their child's school heat safety guidelines.
"Parents should be asking, whether it's the school or whether it's the youth organization, show me your heat activity guidelines," said Fonseca. What are you using to measure the wet bulb temperature? How you modifying guidelines based on what that reading is?"
She also emphasized that parents should ask schools what their emergency action plan is if their child does experience heat illness.
Fonseca said education about heat safety has evolved to emphasize education for athletic trainers, coaches and students.
"So it's multifaceted," she added. It's education and being able to recognize those signs and symptoms, certainly knowing what student athletes are maybe predisposed to heat illness, understanding that before practices even start."
Durham Public Schools Director of Athletics David Hackney says he's emphasizing educating athletes on signs and symptoms related to heat illnesses.
""I've tried to make sure that our trainers are making sure that they are educating their student athletes on what those signs are so that they can immediately let a trainer know or immediately let a coach know," said Hackney.
The NCHSAA advises parents to ask their child's school about their heat activity guidelines. They should check on the school's emergency action plan and make sure a licensed athletic trainer is on site.