Water hydration alert week 8/15 - 8/19

USD #231 Water Hydration Alert Policy for Hot Weather

1. Outdoor athletic practices will have a start time no earlier than 5:30 P.M. during the first week (KSHSAA SCW #7-excluding Saturday) of the season. Morning practices may be used as an option to replace or to be coupled with evening practices to avoid activity at the day’s temperature peak. The Athletic Director reserves the right to alter scheduled practice times whenever it is deemed reasonable, appropriate or in the best interests of the participants or program.

2. A Water Hydration Alert will be determined by 1:00 P.M. each day and implemented at outdoor practices when the predicted temperature and humidity (at the time of the practice) are predicted to reach the extreme caution and high risk zones of the Competition Index for Heat chart supplied by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

3. The water hydration alert procedure will be as follows:

1. At the halfway point of the scheduled practice, the coaches are required to have the athletes engage in a mandatory ten- fifteen minute cool down and hydration period.
2. During this time, the athletes are to be in a relaxed position (sitting, kneeling, etc.) and required  to hydrate by drinking water or other hydrating liquids such as Gatorade.
3. Football players will be required to remove their helmets and shoulder pads to allow their body temperatures to cool.
4. Coaches will use this time to instruct the participants on proper hydration techniques that can be used before and after their activity.
5. Documentation of the water hydration alert procedure should be done by each head coach in the practice plan for that day and a copy submitted to the Athletic Director prior to the beginning of practice.

4. Athletes should have water available in unlimited quantities and should be given a 5-10 minute water break for every 30 minutes of heavy exercise at all practices throughout every activity season.

5. These requirements are intended to serve as minimums and coaches are encouraged to add in additional methods of water hydration and heat-related adjustments as needed to meet their sport-specific and/or practice plan specific needs on a day-to-day basis.

6. Pioneer Ridge coaches are required to read and be thoroughly familiar with the “Hot Weather Tips” information pages published by the KSHSAA and be vigilant for heat-related illness or injury in activities participants at all times.