FCPS Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) monitor environmental conditions utilizing a digital sling psychrometer. When high temperature and humidity have the potential to impact athletic practices or competitions, modifications to outdoor athletic activities will be based on current environmental conditions according to the thresholds presented in the following table. The AT’s decisions regarding outdoor activities in these conditions are binding and ALL athletic teams and/or school-based groups engaged in outdoor activities are expected to follow them.

Level	WBT (Not air temp)	WBGT (Not air temp)	Duration	Fluid Consumption	Practices	Scrimmages and Contests
1	<66°	<80°	3 hours maximum	Insist that adequate fluid be ingested.	Full gear; minimum of 2 water breaks per hour.	No modifications.
2	66.0°-74.9°	80.0°-82.4°	3 hours maximum	Insist that 4 – 6 oz. fluid be ingested every 20 minutes.	Full gear; minimum of 3 water breaks per hour.	No modifications.
3	75.0°-76.9°	82.5°-84.9°	3 hours maximum	Insist that 6 – 8 oz. fluid be ingested every 20 minutes.	Remove helmets unless active in drill.	Monitor athletes, rest as needed.
4	77.0°-78.9°	85.0°-87.4°	3 hours maximum. Includes max of 45 minutes of work and ≥ 15 minutes of rest each hour.	Insist that 8 – 10 oz. fluid be ingested every 15 minutes.	No equipment during non-contact drills; remove helmet unless active in contact drill; remove equipment when instructional periods exceed 10 minutes.	Monitor athletes, rest as needed.
5	79.0°-80.9°	87.5°-89.9°	3 hours maximum. Includes max of 40 minutes of work and ≥ 20 minutes of rest each hour.	Insist that 8 – 10 oz. fluid be ingested every 15 minutes.	No equipment- shirts and shorts only; reduce intensity of activity.	Monitor athletes, rest as needed. Remove helmets if not actively participating.
6	81.0° +	90.0° +	NO OUTDOOR PRACTICES, SCRIMMAGES, or COMPETITIONS.	Re-hydrate 24 oz. for every pound of body weight loss per day.	Practices conducted indoors must follow the Heat Policy.	Delay/postpone scrimmage or game until conditions improve.

HEAT ADVISORY/EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING: When the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory or an Excessive Heat Warning, school staff MUST BE DILIGENT in monitoring both the environmental conditions and participants engaged in outdoor activities.  If the AT is unavailable to directly monitor the environmental conditions in accordance with these guidelines, there shall be no outdoor practices or out-of-season activities (green/yellow days) when a heat advisory or warning is in effect.

RED/PURPLE ALERT DAYS: When the Council of Governments (COG) issues a RED/PURPLE ALERT, all outside athletic activities will be suspended from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless air quality improves. Changes to the air quality forecast will be available after 2 p.m. and updates will be provided to ATCs via email.

Recommendations:

• Replace fluids at a rate of 24 fluid ounces for every pound of body weight lost after exercise. 
• Encourage athletes to wear light colored, loose clothing during activity in hot weather. 
• Encourage athletes to wear sunscreen on exposed skin during hot, sunny conditions.
• Ensure adequate water is readily available to student-athletes at all times during activity in hot weather. 
• Recommend replacement of sodium (sports drinks, salty foods) if dehydrated, or when activity continues over multiple days in hot and humid weather.
• Discourage athletes from taking caffeine, energy, ergogenic, and/or dietary supplements as these products may cause an increase in dehydration and heat related illness and/or injury.
• The following athletes are at increased risk for heat related illness/injury and should be monitored closely or placed on a modified participation schedule:
  • Individuals poorly acclimatized, overweight, or poorly conditioned.
  • Athletes having a pre-existing dehydrated state (recent fever or gastro-intestinal illness) or pre-existing heat injury.
  • Athletes taking certain medications including diuretics, antihistamines, beta blockers and anticholinergics.
  • Overweight athletes.

Questions?

Please contact FCPS' Office of Student Activities and Athletics at [email protected] or 571-423-1260.