Per CIF Heat Illness Page
One of the major changes for the entire state of California is the transition to the new Health &
Safety Protocols around Heat Illness, Air Quality, & site-specific Emergency Action Plans.
Heat Illness Prevention: If your school site purchased a Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer
(WBGT), We recommend unpacking it and start tracking the WBGT Temperatures.
As per CA State Law AB 1653 and CIF Bylaw 503 K.1. – Heat Illness Protocol, all CIF member
schools must adhere to the CIF Heat Illness Prevention Policy.
- Step 1: Know which Category your school site is located in. (The San Diego Section
Office will provide in July after finalizing with our State Office) - Step 2: Take regular WBGT Readings & make determinations on what types of activities are
permitted within the WBGT Temperature range. For Schools without a WBGT, we recommend
using the National Weather Service Website.
Air Quality Index: All CIF member schools must refrain from outdoor practice and/or
competition when the Air Quality Index is 151 or higher. Schools may use readings for their local
area obtained through www.airnow.gov or a measurement device located outdoors on their
physical campus.
Emergency Action Plans: All CIF Member Schools are required to have venue specific
Emergency Action Plans that are practiced at least once per season, and ensure that an AED is
accessible and within a three minute walk of the venue.
II. Heat Illness Prevention – Five Day Acclimatization Period for ALL Outdoor Fall Sports:
(Cross Country, Football, Flag Football, Girls’ Golf & Tennis, Boys’ Water Polo):
Preseason practice shall begin with a five-day acclimatization period for all fall outdoor studentathletes. All fall outdoor student-athletes, including those who arrive at pre-season practice after
the first day of practice, are required to undergo a five-day acclimatization period. The five-day
acclimatization period shall be conducted as follows:
- (a) Participants shall not engage in more than one on-field practice per day during the five-day
acclimatization period. On-field practices shall last no longer than two hours. - For Football Only:
(b) During the first three days of practice or testing activity, helmets shall be the only protective
equipment student-athletes may wear. During the next two days of practice or testing activity,
helmets, and shoulder pads shall be the only protective equipment student-athletes may wear.
Student-athletes may practice in full pads on the sixth day of practice or testing activity.
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 at https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61140/heat-illness-prevention 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 be aware of both the temperature and humidity. The greater the humidity, the more difficult it is for the body to cool itself. Use one of the heat index tools listed below to determine precautions for athletic activity. Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities in hot or humid climates.
IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF:
RESOURCES
Parent/Student CIF Heat Illness Information Sheet
FREE COURSE – NFHS Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention
Heat Safety Tool – Cell phone app developed by OSHA, CDC, NIOSH to quickly determine the current heat index and relevant precautions
