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When rain strikes during a football game, teams continue to play despite water and mud. However, gentle raindrops can lead to dangerous thunderstorms and lightning. Weather-related injuries can be serious, but can be prevented. The key to preventing weather-related injuries is to take heed of conditions and take cover early.
According to the Journal of Athletic Training, 70 percent of lightning injuries occur in the afternoon, when football practices and games are most likely to be held. This increases the risk for football players to be affected by weather-related emergencies.
Taking simple steps to keep players safe can prevent deaths and injuries. By having a radio in his or her office, a coach can listen to the weather forecast for alerts. If there is a weather warning or advisory, coaches and athletic program officials have the authority to cancel practice or a game.
Sometimes it is too late to dismiss players without placing them in harm's way. Coaches should have a plan for weather-related emergencies. In the event of a thunderstorm and lightning, the coach should move players to a safe location, such as the locker room or gym, at the first sound of thunder because lightning is always imminent. During a thunderstorm, keep players away from windows because the wind may break glass. Also, players in the showers should be called out because water and metal are both conductors of electricity. When the storm has ceased, wait at least 30 minutes before allowing athletes to return outdoors. Proceed to the outdoors with caution because there may be safety hazards that place players in danger, such as downed power lines.
If there is a tornado, or a storm occurs during practice, everyone should go indoors. Specifically during tornadoes, everyone should go to the basement or the lowest interior level of a building and crouch down while keeping their heads covered. If the team is caught outdoors during a tornado or storm, the players should keep away from structures in open areas, such as picnic shelters and dugouts. They should keep away from tall, isolated trees or objects that project above the landscape. Also, keep players away from water and grounded objects, such as metal fences, metal bleachers, tanks, and pipes.
Though precautions may be taken, a player could be hurt. If a player is struck by lightning, get medical help immediately. Use a cellular phone to call 9-1-1 because lightning may strike a telephone line. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge; therefore, it is safe to care for injured players. Check the injured player for consciousness, breathing, and signs of circulation. If there is no breathing and there are no signs of circulation, perform CPR.
If a player has been hit by debris, check for consciousness, breathing, signs of circulation, and severe bleeding. If these are present, activate the Emergency Action Plan. Care for any life-threatening conditions found by performing CPR or controlling the bleeding. Some athletes my sustain only minor injuries, such as bruises, and may require first aid.
These details, as well as others such as what routes to use in event of an evacuation of a facility, should be covered in a facility's written Emergency Action Plan. When devising exit routes, be sure that they are easily identifiable and accessible to everyone who may need to use them. The Emergency Action Plans should provide guidance as to when events should be cancelled, as well as what type of response should be taken in the event a storm comes up during a practice or game. By having plans in place that are rehearsed, a facility may be evacuated smoothly and efficiently.
MORE READING
Birrer, R.B. (Ed.). (1994). Sports medicine for the primary care physician (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Micheli, L.J., & Outerbridge, A.R. (1995). Overuse injuries in the young athlete. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 14, 3.
Peterson, L., & Renstrom, P. (1986). Overuse syndromes. Sports injuries: Their prevention and treatment. St. Louis, MO: Moseby Year Book.
The evaluation of any athlete, whether as a part of health evaluations prior to activity or as a diagnosis of an injury as the consequence of sports activities, is specific to that individual and the history and current state of the individual presented. Advice, diagnosis and treatment is individualized according to numerous factors, including patient health and age information, medical history and symptoms. All athletes should be cleared by a physician or other appropriate medical professional before engaging in physical activities and, after injury, diagnosis and treatment, for return to play.