Fall sports begin, student athletes still dealing with dangerous summer heat
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Fall sports begin, student athletes still dealing with dangerous summer heat
There have already been high-profile heat related deaths so far this summer. Doctors say it is so important for kids and their parents to know how to stay safe. Athletes are more vulnerable to physical exertion. If you, a child, or a teammate experiences these symptoms, call 9-1-1.See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it. Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
That means student athletes have to start practice in the sweltering heat.
Doctors and coaches are out with their annual warning to families.
There have already been high-profile heat related deaths so far this summer, that’s why doctors say it is so important for kids and their parents to know how to stay safe.
At Highland High School in Gilbert, Football Coach Brock Farrel leads the charge, even on the hottest days.
He’s done it successfully without incident for the past nine years.
Farrel says it means prioritizing safety in various ways, “for the first ten days we don’t come out into the field until 6pm. Sometimes we won’t put pads on until the very end.”
Farrel works hands-on with an athletic trainer. They’ve learned the signs of heat-related illness and can spot it instantly, “there’s a differemce between tired, and like, I am starting to feel dizzy and I can’t see straight.”
Though Farrel says his athletes are safe, he knows it’s because they take necessary precautions. And if they didn’t, it could be a different story.
Dr. Jimmy Wynn, at Mercy Hospital in Gilbert, says it can be a tricky time of year for students. Athletes are more vulnerable to physical exertion. Their muscles are making more heat, causing increased body temperature.”
When precautions aren’t taken seriously, such as hydrating, taking breaks, and cooling off, heat-related illnesses can have significant consequences, including death. “Usually when the body is unable to cool itself, it can cause multi organ failure.”
Symptoms can include slurred speech, disorientation, nausea, and an inability to sweat. If you, a child, or a teammate experiences these symptoms, call 9-1-1.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
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