Safety Protocols

Current Air Quality:

AQI Protocols

US EPA AIR QUALITY Index and TAS AQI Response

(View on page 32 of the Student Athlete/Parent Handbook)

Facility Use Guidelines

The administration will follow the chart below when deciding to open or close athletic facilities based on air quality.
The AQI reading will be reviewed for the last time at 5PM on high AQI days.
An AQI reading slightly below a 150 reading does not necessarily mean the facilities will be reopened for use.
The facilities coordinator will immediately inform each reservation holder of the final decision regarding TAS restrictions/facility availability.

IASAS Travel Guidelines

The TAS Athletic Department will adhere to the chart below regarding Athletics IASAS travel concerns. When IASAS travel is scheduled into a region with high air pollution, a number of variables will factor into the travel decision including, but not limited to:

the current protocols in effect within each IASAS school;
the predictive AQI reading model (outlining projected AQI readings up to 7 days in advance);
current AQI readings in the region;
and type of outdoor/indoor activity slated for the school.

Variables will differ between IASAS schools as each situation is unique.

US EPA Pollution Index	US EPA Air Quality Rank	US EPA API and Health Implications	US EPA Health Advisory	US EPA Response	TAS Response
0-50	Good	Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.			Level 1 0-100 Administrative Review
51-100	Moderate	Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.		Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.	Level 1 0-100 Administrative Review
101-150	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Although general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.		The following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion: - People with lung disease, such as asthma. - Children and older adults - People who are active outdoors	Level 2 101-150 Administrative Review for LS\|MS\|US Outdoor Activities
151-200	Unhealthy	Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.		The following groups should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion: - People with lung disease, such as asthma - Children and older adults - People who are active outdoors Everyone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.	Level 3 151-200 No outdoor activity of any kind at TAS
201-300	Very Unhealthy	This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.	Health Alert	The following groups should avoid all outdoor exertion: - People with lung disease, such as asthma - Children and older adults - People who are active outdoors Everyone else should limit outdoor exertion.	Level 4 201-300 No outdoor activity of any kind at TAS
301-500	Hazardous	This would trigger a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.	Health Emergency		Level 4 201-300 No outdoor activity of any kind at TAS

Head Injury and Suspected Concussion Protocol

(View on page 20 of the Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook)

Any student who experiences a head injury (bump, jolt, or blow) will be assessed and observed for a minimum of 30 minutes for a suspected concussion by the head athletic trainer. The SCAT3 sideline assessment will be used.

If a student with a head injury experiences one or more of the signs and symptoms of a concussion at any time during the initial observation period, he/she will be suspected of a concussion and immediately removed from play. The student will not return to play until they are evaluated by the head athletic trainer or medical doctor and have received medical clearance for return to play.

If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should not be left alone and should be monitored for worsening symptoms. If symptoms worsen and become emergent, the student will be transported to the nearest emergency department.

If no signs or symptoms of a concussion are present during the initial observation period, return to play is still not advisable. A parent/guardian will be notified of the risks of returning to play. Any activity should proceed with caution, understanding that symptoms can appear over time, and that the student should be observed closely during and after the activity.

Any athlete that is diagnosed with a concussion will not return to play on the day of injury. They will be required to complete the school’s return to play protocol and be released by the head athletic trainer (before returning to any physical activities). If the athlete was examined by a medical doctor, a doctor’s note must be provided and given to the school nurse and head athletic trainer before the student can return to physical activities.

Lightning Policy

(View on page 33 of the Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook)

Protocol to Evacuate Outdoor Locations: At the sight of a lightning flash, all outdoor activities must cease, and all students, coaches, administrators and any other by-standers should take shelter inside of a building. There is a 30 minute, flash-free period prior to return to play outdoors. Example: At the sight of a lightning flash, the Athletic Trainer will start a 30-minute running clock. Every new flash restarts the clock. When the 30-minute timer runs out, return to outdoor activities may commence.

Two loud, long whistle blows = Clear all fields, tennis courts, golf facility, and any other outdoor location.

One loud, long whistle blow = It is safe to return to outdoor locations.

Primary Protocol:

Thunder Bolt: This handheld device detects and tracks the motion of storm cells by detecting the lightning activity within the cell. We have one device on campus, located in the health and wellness center with the athletic trainer. This device it set to alarm when electrical activity is 5.5 miles/9km away. When the alarm sounds, the Athletic Trainer on duty will blow the whistle accordingly.

Secondary Protocol: Used when practicing off campus or when Thunder Bolt detection device is not available.

Flash-to Bang-Method: The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recommend the use of the flash to bang ratio to help determine when cover should be taken when no lightning detector is available. This method requires no equipment and is an easy way to determine the distance from the last lighting strike. To use the flash-to-bang method, begin counting on the lightning flash, and stop counting when the associated thunder is heard. Divide this number (in seconds) by 5 to determine the distance (in miles) to the lightning flash. For example, if the time in seconds between the lightning being spotted and the thunder being hear is equal to 30, divide that by 5, and you get 6 (30/5=6). Therefore, that lightning flash was approximately 6 miles away from the observer. While lightning has been recorded to strike at 10 miles, the rule of thumb used for safety is a 6 mile/9.6km distance. Thus, seeking shelter is recommended if lightning is 6 miles/9.6 km away or less.

Examples of safe and unsafe locations:

1. Safe Locations:

a. A building normally occupied by people, with wiring and plumbing that has been grounded.

b. If buildings are not available, then certain other spaces are considered safe: vehicles, including school buses, with a hard metal roof (not convertibles or golf carts) with the windows shut. Individuals should not touch the metal framework of the vehicle as well as the steering wheel, ignition keys, and/or radio.

2. Unsafe Locations:

a. The showers or plumbing of a building, as well as electrical appliances in a building during a thunderstorm should be avoided.

b. Small covered shelters outside, such as dugouts, bleachers, rain shelters, golf shelters, picnic shelters.

i. Areas connected to or near light poles, towers and fences

ii. Any location which is the highest point in the area

IASAS Heat Management Guidelines

IASAS HEAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & SPORTS

(View on page 34 of the Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook)

The Heat Index will be the chosen measure of heat. Each school is responsible for monitoring Heat Index for IASAS tournaments Staff involved in overseeing IASAS activities need to check readings prior to engaging in these activities to be aware of the zone they are currently in.
Heat Index should ideally be displayed during tournaments
Athletic Staff & Tournament Officials should monitor temperature on a regular basis and adjust based on the zone they are in

Heat Index below 33°C

The following actions are standard practice for all IASAS Outdoor Activities

The School shall provide adequate water supply at all teaching stations.
Staff should inform athletes to apply sun lotion before, games and activities.
Athletes should be encouraged to wear hats where applicable
All athletes and athletes should bring water bottles to IASAS events
Recommended water breaks every 30 minutes.
Where possible spend half times, rest periods and other coaching moments in shade provided around facilities.
Athletes that want to take a break should do so at any time.
Staff to watch/monitor players carefully.

Heat Index

33-40°C

All actions as per Heat Index Ratings under 33°C additionally:

During competition, athletes should be rotated out on a regular basis
Coaches identify athletes who present a higher risk of suffering from heat related illnesses and provide these athletes with an adequate rest
Coaches should brief athletes of increased risk at beginning of games of increased heat illness risk within and above this zone.
Athletes showing signs and symptoms of heat related illness should withdraw from the activity and be escorted to the nurse
Recommended water breaks every 20 minutes.
Misting Fans/Iced Towels should be utilized for outdoor activities
Suggestion is that lessons take place in shade as much as possible
Modify training and/or games to allow for regular hydration and rest

Heat Index

41-54°C

All actions as per Heat Index Ratings under 33-40°C additionally:

Coaches should clearly brief athletes of extreme risk of heat illness within this zone and exclude athletes who have not hydrated throughout the day.
Recommended water breaks every 15 minutes
When athletes are not competing they should be moved to shaded areas or indoor air-conditioned venues where possible
Athletes showing signs and symptoms of heat related illness should withdraw from the activity and be escorted to the nurse
Electrolyte consumption should be encouraged and utilized for athletes practicing and competing in this zone
Maximum duration of exposure in this temperature is one hour.
Practices and or fixtures can be cancelled at the discretion of the Athletics Director/Head of Safety

Heat Index above 54°C

Heat Stroke Imminent & Extreme Risk

All non-airconditioned activities are cancelled