Kacy Maska For Health and Physical Education Teachers K-12

As a Health & Physical Education teacher, it is your job to know and be able to educate students about safe and effective exercise *Exertional heat stroke results in thousands of emergency room visits and hospitalizations throughout the nation each year. *NFHSlearn.com

The ability to recognize the signs of heat illness Conditioning students for high intensity outdoor physical education activities such as the mile run *NFHSlearn.com

Teaching students how to properly train, especially athletes trying to condition for a sport or those setting up a personal fitness plan Setting up safe practice plans if coaching *NFHSlearn.com

High intensity outdoor activity/sports in hot & humid weather Being out of shape Being large or overweight Wearing sports equipment (such as football pads/helmet) *NFHSlearn.com

Not being properly acclimatized to heat Dehydration ADHD medication use Recent Illness Sickle cell trait *NFHSlearn.com

Physical exertion and training activities should begin slowly and continue progressively An acclimatization process must occur for at least two weeks for the body to adjust to exercising in heat *NFHSlearn.com

Be aware of temperature and humidity levels If coaching, always check wet bulb on your field for the relative humidity Don’t just trust the local weather report

Do not assume that the temperature and relative humidity in any indoor facility or gym you are exercising in will be adequate for intense exercise Drink a lot of water! Being properly hydrated decreases the risk for exertional heat illness

Deterioration in performance with signs of struggling (moving more slowly, bending over with hands on knees) Pale or bright-red flushing of the skin Dizziness Headache *NFHSlearn.com

Lightheadedness Dizziness Unusual fatigue Racing heat beat *NFHSlearn.com

Remove person from activity and immediately move him/her to shaded or air-conditioned area Remove excess clothing and equipment Have person lie comfortably Drink cold water or sports drink If unable to drink, Emergency Medical System should be activated *NFHSlearn.com

Severe Fatigue Stumbling Vomiting Collapse *NFHSlearn.com

Obvious behavioral changes Confusion Loss of consciousness Seizures *NFHSlearn.com

Whether coaching an outdoor sport or setting up an outdoor fitness program, these are the basic 7 fundamentals of heat illness prevention to follow while you are supervising any such activity: Fundamental #1 Fundamental #2 Fundamental #3 Fundamental #4 Fundamental #5 Fundamental #6 Fundamental #7 *NFHSlearn.com Sources

Physical exertion and training activities should begin slowly and continue progressively. A person cannot be "conditioned" in a period of only 2 to 3 weeks. Back

Keep each participant's individual level of conditioning and medical status in mind and adjust activity accordingly. These factors directly affect exertional heat illness risk. Back

With an increase in heat/humidity, especially if the heat and humidity level is a significant change from the previous few days: Decrease intensity of activity Increase frequency/duration of rest breaks Reduce uniform/equipment Continue to closely monitor players in these changing conditions Back

Participants must begin practices and training activities adequately hydrated. Back

Recognize early signs of distress and developing exertional heat illness, and promptly stop activity for affected players and treat accordingly. Do not delay first aid! Back

Recognize more serious signs of exertional heat- related distress. Immediately stop activity and seek medical attention by activating the Emergency Medical System. Begin on-site rapid cooling immediately. Back

Develop an Emergency Action Plan with clearly defined, written and practiced protocols. This should be in place before any emergency happens. Back

"Heat Illness Prevention." Learning Center. NFHSLearn, Web. 10 Feb