Heat Illness Prevention

Kacy MaskaFor 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

It is important to know the facts about heat illness for… *

*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

It is important to know the facts about heat illness for… *

*NFHSlearn.com

*Higher Risks for Heat Illness

• 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

*Higher Risks for Heat Illness

• Not being properly acclimatized to heat• Dehydration• ADHD medication use• Recent Illness• Sickle cell trait

*NFHSlearn.com

*Start slow, then progress• 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

* Prevention• 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

* Prevention• 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

*Early Warning Signs• 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

*Signs of Dehydration• Lightheadedness• Dizziness• Unusual fatigue • Racing heat beat

*NFHSlearn.com

*If These Signs Occur…• 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

www.fitbie.com

www.healthfitnessmag.com

• Severe Fatigue• Stumbling• Vomiting• Collapse

* Serious Signs to Look for

*NFHSlearn.com

• Obvious behavioral changes

• Confusion• Loss of consciousness

• Seizures

* Serious Signs to Look for

*NFHSlearn.com

* The 7 Fundamentals 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.comSources

Fundamental #1

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

Fundamental #2

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

Fundamental #3

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 conditionsBack

Fundamental #4

Participants must begin practices and training activities adequately hydrated.

Back

Fundamental #5

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

Fundamental #6

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

Fundamental #7

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

Back

Works Cited"Heat Illness Prevention." Learning Center. NFHSLearn, 2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2015.