Lightning Recommendations for Sports Events
Overview:
- Establish a chain of command that identifies who is to make the call to remove individuals for the field.
- Name a designate weather watcher. ( A person who actively looks for the signs of threatening weather and notifies the chain of command if severe weather becomes dangerous)
- Have a means of monitoring local weather forecasts and warnings, before and during practices and games.
- Designate a safe shelter for each sports arena.
- Use the flash-to-bang count to determine when to go to safety. By the time the flash-to-bang count approaches thirty seconds all individuals should already be inside a safe structure.
- Once activities have been suspended, wait at least thirty minutes following the last flash or bang before resuming activity or returning outdoors.
- Avoid being the highest point in an open field, in contact with or in proximity to the highest point, or on or near water. Do not take shelter under or near trees, flagpoles, or light poles.
- For those who feel their hair standing on end, skin tingling, or hear crackling noises, DO NOT lie flat on the ground. Instead, assume the lightning safe position: crouch on the ground with weight on the balls of the feet and the feet together, head lowered and ears covered.
FLASH-TO-BANG
- This is the easiest and most convenient means for determining the distance to lightning flash.
- To use this method begin counting on the lightning flash, and stop counting when the associated clap of thunder is heard.
- Divide the time to thunder (in seconds) by 5 to determine the distance (in miles) to the flashing flash.
- For example, an obtained count of 30 seconds, divided by 5, equals 6 miles from where the count was obtained.
References:
1. Walsh, KM, Bennett, B, Cooper, MA, et al. (2000). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: “Lightning Safety for Athletic and Recreation.” Journal of Athletic Training 34(4):471-477.
A Properly Well Stocked Medical Kit
A first aid kit should be taken to all practices and competitions in the event of an emergency situation. Below is a list of the medical supplies needed to perform basic first aid on the scene of the potential sports emergency:
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Emergency Information cards for every athlete.
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Alcohol wipes
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Non-powdered barrier gloves
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Triangular bandage for sling
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Resuscitation mask/faces shield
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Insect sting ointment
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Ice bags
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Hydrocortisone cream
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Bandage strips
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Sun block ( SFP 30)
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Patch bandages
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Insect repellent
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4” elastic wrap
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Scissors
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6” elastic wrap
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Tape cutter
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2” kling roller gauze
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Single use plastic tweezers
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Eye dressing kit ( eye patch and clear medical tape)
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2”x2” sterile gauze pads
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Eyewash
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3”x3” sterile gauze pads
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Adhesive tape
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Telfa non-stick pads
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Antibiotic ointment
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Q-tip swabs
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Anti-septic wipes
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Does Stretching Prevent Injury?
Inteview with Dr. Jon Koman, M.D. - LifeBridge Health Sports Medicine
Question: Does stretching prevent injury?
Answer: This is a very controversial topic in exercise and medicine. The information found suggests that stretching should be an important part of exercise. Alone, it may not prevent injury however it does increase your flexibility which can be a component in overall health and well being.
Stretching can prevent injury
According to some physicians at LifeBridge Health, by stretching muscles and tendons, they become conditioned to a certain maximum length. When we play sports, our muscles need that conditioned muscle/tendon length to effectively compete. If our muscles and tendons overextend that conditioned length/flexibility, then there stands a higher chance of muscle/tendon tear. This is called a muscle strain, otherwise known as a "pulled muscle". Once a muscle is torn, it takes time for it to heal and flexibility is further compromised. To avoid this viscious cycle, pre-stretching/conditioning is universally accepted as a way to keep players active and not in rehabilitation.
Stretching Does Not Prevent Injury
Stephen B. Thacker, director of the epidemiology program office at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that reviewed 361 research studies on stretching. The results, published in the March, 2004 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® (MSSE) concluded there was no evidence that stretching before or after exercise prevents injury or muscle soreness.
The study concluded that stretching does improve flexibility, but being flexible doesn't prevent injuries. Injury rates were higher for both the most flexible and and least flexible study participants than for the average participants. Most injuries happen when the muscle is going through its normal range of motion, so having an increased range of motion had no effect in preventing such injuries.
So....What are the suggestions????
To stretch or not to Stretch...that's the Question.
Warming Up
Stretching often goes hand in hand with warm-up exercises. Programs that combine warm-up, strength, and balance training with stretching have demonstrated effectiveness in the prevention of knee and ankle injuries. But the studies didn't separate warm-up and stretching. Warm-up exercises that take the body through the full range of motion that will be used in the sport or exercise are thought to be of the most value.
Should You Stop Stretching?
The CDC study concluded that there wasn't sufficient evidence to recommend people stop stretching, nor was there good evidence to suggest people start using stretching. The bottom line - if stretching feels good for you, continue to do it. If you don't like stretching, put that time into some warm-up and balance exercises instead.