It's that time of year again, the sun is out and temps are heating up. While the sun brings enthusiasm and excitement, we are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our young athletes in the face of potential heat-related challenges. Here's how HPFC tries to blend joyous play with careful precautions to guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Vigilance in Warm Weather Play
When it comes to practicing and playing under warmer temperatures, we take a proactive approach to safeguarding our players' health. Our commitment to their safety extends beyond the game, ensuring that every aspect of their experience is informed and secure.
Coach Training for Recognizing Heat-Related Illness
One of our key priorities is coach training in recognizing the symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Coaches undergo specialized training to identify signs of heat exhaustion and Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS). By equipping our coaches with the knowledge to detect these early warning signs, we're better prepared to take rapid action through hydration and cooling measures for a swift recovery.
Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses: Your Child's Safety Comes First
Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and EHS, can be severe and potentially life-threatening, particularly when physical activity is involved. Detecting symptoms at an early stage allows for timely treatment and recovery. Look out for these initial signs:
Weather Adaptations, Hydration, and the WBGT Chart
We recognize that staying hydrated is crucial when playing in warm weather. Our coaches emphasizes the importance of regular water breaks to prevent overheating and dehydration. Additionally, training schedules and activities are adjusted to ensure players remain comfortable and well.
To further enhance our safety measures, we adhere to U.S. Soccer's Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) chart, which serves as a guide for adjusting activities based on temperature conditions. Below, we have provided the WBGT chart below showing how activities will be modified based on the current Wet Bulb Temperature. Most of the West Coast of the US is located in Category 1:
Highline Premier FC has adopted Zelus WBGT to aid in calcuating the current wet bulb temperature. Parents are welcome to download the app in their app store. Information on the current wet bulb temperature is provided to coaches throughout the day. A determination on go/no-go for practices is made as soon as possible but no sooner than 3:00 pm PST on practice days.
Your Role in Ensuring Safety
As parents, your partnership is essential in ensuring your child's safety during warm weather play. If you suspect that conditions may pose a risk, we encourage you to make a considered decision about their participation. Please update your RSVP in PlayMetrics to keep the team informed.
Creating a Positive and Secure Experience
At HPFC, we're committed to creating an environment where players can thrive while staying safe. Coach training, preventative measures, and your active involvement collectively contribute to this goal. If you have any questions about our procedures, protocols, or concerns related to warm weather play, our Director of Operations and Director of Coaching are here to provide guidance and address your queries.
A Memorable Season Awaits
With warm weather comes the promise of exciting matches and unforgettable moments. HPFC is dedicated to making this season remarkable, memorable, and, most importantly, safe for every player. Let's embark on this journey together, ensuring that each game is enjoyable and enjoyable.
FC Highline proudly recognizes that we live and play on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. We acknowledge that our club facilities are situated on the unceded ancestral lands of the Duwamish people, who have been stewards of this land for generations. The Duwamish people continue to honor and celebrate their ancient heritage, and we stand in solidarity with their ongoing presence and contributions.
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