HEAT, Lightning, & Concussion
HOT WEATHER
All outdoor sports: ISM has temperature displays at all outdoor fields for PE faculty and after school sports/activities coaches. Teachers/coaches can monitor temperature fluctuations during the day and thus be able to modify training plans and intensity of training on very hot days (especially through our summer months of mid March - end of May)
Facilities: Water is available at all venues. Shaded areas are provided for athletes to rest, additional tents will be used as needed for larger events. Emergency (red phones) are provided at all venues along with roving ISM security staff with radio contact to clinic.
Students: All athletes should bring water bottles to practice, apply sunscreen, and seek shade when not participating in activity. Athletes should be encouraged to drink adequate quantities of fluid throughout the day prior to and during training. Athletes should not consume energy/caffeine drinks at all prior to or during training.
Coaches: Reduce and or modify training plan/intensity for activity/game length especially in summer months March-May. Schedule regular hydration/shade breaks at all sessions. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for signs of heat exhaustion (fatigue, dizziness, cramps, red skin, rapid pulse). If heat exhaustion suspected, move student into shade/AC, get water to drink, and contact nurse or school clinic immediately.
Nurses/Clinic: Are on site or at clinic at all ISM sports events. All ISM faculty/staff are First Aid/CPR trained and there is a school ambulance on standby for all sport activities. ISM has several AED's (defibrillators) on campus for emergency use at strategic locations on campus
Security staff: All ISM security staff are first-aid/cpr trained who attend off campus games/events. Security staff take a first aid kit with them to all off campus events.
Temperature: During the hot summer months (mid March - June) PE staff schedule classes to shaded/indoor venues as much as possible. Less vigorous sports may still be done outdoors but regular water/shade breaks are provided. This is also the case for after school sports. Vigorous/high intensity aerobic sports like soccer are scheduled to the MS field which is shaded in the afternoons during practice times after 3pm. Less vigorous sports may still be done outdoors but regular water/shade breaks are provided during the after school program practices beyond 3pm.
Cross Country/Track & Field Meets
Medic tent/Mist tents located near finish line
Ambulance on stand-by at all events
Lead and trail bike (qualified nurse) will monitor athletes during XC races
LIGHTNING WARNING SYSTEM
ISM’s outdoor facilities have a lightning warning system in place to ensure our outdoor sports areas are cleared when lightning is detected in the area. At all 3 fields and the swimming pool we have a set of flashing lights mounted in visible areas for students and coaches to observe. For PE classes or after school training/matches if lightning is detected within 0-8miles an alarm goes off in the security office and the lightning warning system is activated which initiates the set of lights to start flashing. This is the indication for all students/PE teachers/coach’s or adult’s to clear the fields/pool and move to the nearest undercover area to that venue. When the lightning warning goes off the lights will stop flashing and this is the indication that activity can then recommence.
All coaches/adults are to stay with and monitor students behaviour in the covered areas they take them to during a lightning delay until the activity can resume. ISM security guards will also assist in advising of lightning status via radio to/from the security office.
This system is in place to ensure safety for all during a lightning warning, failure to adhere to the above procedure places you at great risk! PLEASE be helpful, cooperative and respectful to all when given directions to clear the outdoor areas/pools.
CONCUSSION
The information on this page and on the links provided is for coaches, athletes, parents and community members. Concussion in sports and in particular youth sports is a serious issue. There are many different organisations globally that have similar guidelines for concussion information and management. The resources available via the links below provides current and researched based information with best practice guidelines and procedures related to concussion injury for athletes. Please review the guidelines in order to provide care and support to injured ISM athletes who have a suspected concussion injury.
Remember- Coaches/Athletes and Parents… “IF IN DOUBT-SIT OUT”
World Rugby Concussion Guidelines
ISM will follow world rugby return to sport/play guidelines for students diagnosed with a concussion injury. The divisional office, a students teachers and the counseling office will also be advised by the ISM clinic of a diagnosed concussion so as to monitor return to classroom and academic participation. Important: In case of a concussion the clinic requests a medical clearance for return to school AND permission to resume sports/athletics/academic studies.