Heat Illness

Law Requiring Training in Heat Illness for all California Coaches

On June 1, 2018, AB 2800 - California High School Coaching Education and Training Program: heat illness, was signed into law by Governor Brown that requires coaches when renewing their CPR/FIRST AID, Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) certification that they also complete separate training in the signs and symptoms of heat illness.

A FREE online course “Heat Illness Prevention” is available through the CIF and NFHS, and will satisfy this mandated requirement by California law.

Heat illness is a preventable tragedy. It is imperative that school leaders ensure, that those adults working directly with our students have the knowledge and ability to minimize risks and reduce injuries for the students they serve.

A proper acclimatization plan is essential to minimize the risk of exertional heat illness during the early season practice period. Gradually increasing athletes’ exposure to the duration and intensity of physical activity and to the environment minimizes heat illness risk while improving athletic performance. California has a wide range of environmental factors (beaches, mountains, deserts) that face schools and student-athletes and the acclimatization period is vital to minimize the risk.

WHAT IS HEAT ILLNESS?

Exercise produces heat within the body and can increase an athlete’s body temperature. Add to this a hot or humid day and any barriers to heat loss such as padding and equipment, and the temperature of the individual can become dangerously high. If left untreated, the elevation of core body temperature can cause organ systems to shut down in the body.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES ARE ALL PREVENTABLE

There are several ways to prevent heat illness from occurring:

Adequate Hydration

The athlete should arrive to practices, games, and in-between exercise sessions well-hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration
Water should be freely accessible and water breaks should be given in the shade if available at least every 15-20 minutes and should be long enough to allow athletes to ingest adequate volumes of fluid. Unnecessary equipment should be removed during breaks.

Gradual Acclimatization

Intensity and duration of exercise should be gradually increased over a period of 7-14 days to give athletes time to build fitness levels and become accustomed to practicing in the heat.
Protective equipment should be introduced in phases.

Additional Prevention Measures

Provide appropriate medical coverage during exercise.
Encourage hydration status record-keeping. Athletes can weigh-in before and after practice, ideally in dry undergarments in check hydration status. The amount of fluid lost should be replaced by the next session of activity. An athlete should drink approximately 16 oz of fluid for each kilogram of fluid lost (1 kg = 2.2 lbs).
Eat a well-balanced diet which aids in replacing lost electrolytes and avoid drinks containing stimulants such as ephedrine or high doses of caffeine.
Alter practice plans in extreme environmental conditions. Coaches should ideally be aware of the Web Bulb Globe Temperature which measures not only temperature and humidity (the "heat index") but also wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. The WBGT is the most accurate measure of environmental heat stress. For example, the higher the temperature and humidity, with minimal wind and cloud cover, and with sun directly overhead at 12 noon, the higher the WBGT and the more difficult for the body to cool itself. Knowing the WGBT using a device, or an estimation (go to "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Monitoring" below) will guide precautions for athletic activity. Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities especially in hot and/or humid conditions.