CHILDREN’S/AISD STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

Student/Parent Information Sheet

Heat-related Guidelines

The best defense against heat-related reactions is PREVENTION. On an annual basis, the Athletic and Fine Arts department will train staff on precautions to take to ensure student safety during high heat. Staff focus will be on “constant surveillance” of students during high heat to ensure student health. Should symptoms arise, they will be addressed immediately by using Quick Care guidelines and basic first aid if needed.

The following guidelines are to be used as appropriate to ensure student safety during high heat. Implementation may vary depending on the activity. (E.g., A football player will be dressed in shoulder pads, etc so the “wear lightweight clothing” would not apply.)

Guidelines for Staff

Reduce the intensity and duration of strenuous physical activity initially and gradually increase to accomplish acclimatization.

Schedule frequent rest periods or breaks.

Be aware of chronic health issues and medications of students so that heightened surveillance of students with special needs occurs.

Use a “buddy system” where students are educated regarding symptoms and monitor each other.

Implement extra precautions when practicing on concrete or asphalt.

Provide water on long, non-air conditioned bus trips.

Student Guidelines

Wear lightweight, loose, cool, reflective clothing.

Wear hats or sun visors when participating in direct sun.

Wear sunglasses or protective wear.

Avoid caffeine and high-sugar, carbonated drinks.

Bring water to drink throughout activity.

Inform instructor if recently ill.

Avoid eating heavy, protein-rich foods prior to exercise.

Wear sun block (SPF 15 or higher) and apply 30 minutes prior to outside activity to cool dry skin. Reapply according to directions.

Staff Training

Heat-Related Safety

There are four main heat-related reactions to excess heat:

Heat syncope- fainting or near fainting due to overheating.

Heat cramps- muscle cramps occurring during intense, prolonged activity in the heat.

Heat exhaustion- body temperature of 103-105, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, cramps

Heat stroke- body temperature of 106-108, disorientation, seizures, hot and dry skin, and coma.

Heat-related reactions will progress if proper treatment is delayed. Please follow the “Quick Care” guidelines at the first sign of a heat-related reaction.

The best defense against heat-related reactions is PREVENTION.

At the beginning of a strenuous physical activity, the intensity and duration of exercise should be restrained initially and gradually increased to accomplish acclimatization.

Wear lightweight, loose, cool, reflective clothing

Fully hydrate students prior to strenuous physical activity. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and high sugar, carbonated drinks.

Provide cool water and scheduled frequent rest periods when students are encouraged to drink 2-3 glasses of water.

Students with certain conditions are at a greater risk to heat stress. Included in these (but not limited to) are: cystic fibrosis, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, obesity, diabetes, chronic heart failure, caloric malnutrition, anorexia nervosa, sweating insufficiency syndrome.

Check to see if student’s medication has specific precautions re heat, sunlight, etc.

The intensity of activities that last 30 minutes or more should be reduced whenever relative humidity and air temperatures (Heat Index) are above critical levels (HI of 90 or above). (See charts I & II). “The higher the humidity, the more dangerous high air temperature is because of decreased evaporation of body sweat.” Note that full sun exposure can increase the Heat Index by as much as 15 degrees F.

Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or late in the day.

Avoid eating heavy, protein-rich foods prior to exercise.

Wear sunblock (SPF 15 or higher) and apply 30 minutes prior to outside activity to cool dry skin. Reapply according to manufacture directions.

Use a “buddy system” where students who are educated re the symptoms of heat-related illness monitor each other.

Provide water on long, non-air conditioned bus trips or encourage students to bring their own.

CHART IHEAT INDEX CHART

To find the Heat Index, look at the Heat Index Chart. For example, if the air temperature is 96°F (found on the left side of the table), and the relative humidity is 55% (found at the top of the table), the HI -- or how hot it really feels -- is 112°F. This is at the intersection of the 96° row and the 55% column.

Important: Since HI values were devised for shady, light wind conditions, exposure to full sunshine can increase HI values by up to 15°F. Also, strong winds, particularly with very hot, dry air, can be extremely hazardous.

Note on the charts below any HI above 105°F corresponds to a level of HI that may cause increasingly severe heat disorders with continued exposure and/or physical activity.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%)

F

/ 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100

110 / 136
108 / 130 / 137
106 / 124 / 130 / 137
104 / 119 / 124 / 131 / 137
102 / 114 / 119 / 124 / 130 / 137
100 / 109 / 114 / 118 / 124 / 129 / 136
98 / 105 / 109 / 113 / 117 / 123 / 128 / 134
96 / 101 / 104 / 108 / 112 / 110 / 121 / 126 / 132
94 / 97 / 100 / 102 / 106 / 110 / 114 / 119 / 124 / 129 / 135
92 / 94 / 96 / 99 / 101 / 105 / 108 / 112 / 116 / 121 / 126 / 131
90 / 91 / 93 / 95 / 97 / 100 / 103 / 106 / 109 / 113 / 117 / 122 / 127 / 132
88 / 88 / 89 / 91 / 93 / 95 / 98 / 100 / 110 / 106 / 110 / 113 / 117 / 121
86 / 85 / 87 / 88 / 89 / 91 / 93 / 95 / 97 / 100 / 102 / 105 / 108 / 112
84 / 83 / 84 / 85 / 86 / 88 / 89 / 90 / 92 / 94 / 96 / 98 / 100 / 103
82 / 81 / 82 / 83 / 84 / 84 / 85 / 86 / 88 / 89 / 90 / 91 / 93 / 95
80 / 80 / 80 / 81 / 81 / 82 / 82 / 83 / 84 / 84 / 85 / 86 / 86 / 87

CHART IIHEAT INDEX / HEAT DISORDERS

CRITICAL LEVELS
Heat
Index / Possible heat related reactions for all people
due to excess heat: *
130°F or higher / Heatstroke/sunstrokehighly likely with continued exposure.
105° - 130°F / Sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustionlikely, and heatstrokepossible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
90° - 105°F / Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustionpossible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
80° - 90°F / Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.

*Students with certain conditions are at a greater risk to heat stress. Included in these (but not limited to) are: cystic fibrosis, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, obesity, diabetes, chronic heart failure, caloric malnutrition, anorexia nervosa, sweating insufficiency syndrome.

Main Resources:

1. Jerry Newton, MD; Richard Adams, MD; Marilyn Marcontel, RN.

The New School Health Handbook

  1. NOAA National Weather Service "Heat Wave"
  1. Texas Department of Health "TDH Offers Advice for Staying Healthy in Hot Weather"

G:\AISD\SHS Master Manuals\Student Health Services Manual\Chapter 4 Risk Management\Chapter 4.doc

Rev 10/9/2018