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Lightning Safety Policy Lightning is a dangerous phenomenon. Athletic teams that practice and compete outdoors are at risk when the weather is inclement. The Athletic Training staff has developed a lightning safety policy to minimize the risk of injury from a lightning strike to Belhaven College athletes, coaches, support staff and fans. To monitor lightning the Athletic Training staff will utilize the Sky Scan Lightning Detector. Our policy is in accordance with the 1999-2000 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook and is in accordance with the 2000 NATA Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation regarding lightning safety. Remember, lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away. GENERAL POLICY: A
member of the Athletic Training Staff (certified or student staff) will
monitor the weather and make the decision to notify the head coach or
officials of dangerous situations and recommend the suspension of
activity in the event of lightning. Exceptions will be made for
any activity where an Athletic Training staff member is not in
attendance, whereby the supervising coach will have the ability to
suspend activity. · First, the Sky Scan Lightning Detector. The detector will be set to beep when lightning is within 8 miles. If this occurs all outside activities will cease and not be able to continue until 30 minutes have passed with no more alarms. This means that everyone participating outdoors will need to leave the field and seek shelter indoors. Efforts will be made to ensure that all teams are aware that the Sky Scan detector has detected lightning. If inclement weather is in the area and the lightning detector is not available for your event or you have not received word from a member of the athletic training staff, then the athletic trainer covering or coach will utilize: · The Flash-to-Bang Method (Count the seconds from the time the lightning is sighted to when the clap of thunder is heard. Divide this number by five to obtain how far away, in miles, the lightning is occurring.) 1999-2000 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook. If it reveals lightning to be within 8 miles (a 40 second count between the flash of lightning and the bang of thunder) activity is to be suspended and everyone should seek shelter immediately. PRIOR TO COMPETITION: A member of the Athletic Training staff and/or Athletic Director will greet the officials; explain that we have a means to monitor the lightning, and offer to notify the officials during the game if there is imminent danger from the lightning. The Athletic Director and game officials will then decide whether to discontinue play. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITY: Once it is determined that there is danger of a lightning strike, the Athletic Training staff member will notify the head coach and/or official and immediately remove all athletes, coaches, and support staff from the playing field or practice area/facility. EVACUATION OF THE PLAYING FIELD: Immediately following the announcement of suspension of activity all athletes, coaches, officials and support personnel are to evacuate to the nearest enclosed grounded structure. OUTDOOR INSTRUCTIONS: If no safe structure or location is within a reasonable distance, find a thick grove of small trees surrounded by taller trees, a dry ditch without water, or seek a flat area (do not choose an open area where you will be the highest object). When there, crouch down wrapping your arms around your knees and lower your head to minimize contact with the ground and wait for the storm to pass. (1999-2000 Sports Medicine Handbook) REMEMBER: an automobile, golf cart, or open shelter are not ideal shelters, but will offer you some protection from a lightning strike. Do not touch any metal structures directly after a lightning strike. At Belhaven College Football Practice: Evacuate to the locker room in Heidelberg Gym Football Game: Evacuate to the locker room in Newell Field Softball Game or Practice: Evacuate to the dugouts (both teams) Baseball Game or Practice: Evacuate to the dugouts (both teams) Cross Country Race or Practice: Nearest Suitable Structure. (see above for outdoor instructions) Soccer Game or Practice: Evacuate to the locker room in Heidelberg Gym (Both Teams) Tennis Game or Practice: Evacuate to the lobby of Gillespie Hall Golf Practice or Game: Evacuate to the clubhouse or vehicle immediately. Away Events: A member of the Athletic Training/Coaching staff will notify the host Athletic Training/Coaching staff member and game officials before competition and explain our method to monitor the lightning. We will offer to notify the officials during the game if there is imminent danger from the lightning. The Belhaven College Athletic Training staff reserves the right to discontinue playing, in the event the game officials have not suspended play with the knowledge of inclement weather. EVACUATION OF THE STANDS: During a competition, once the decision to suspend activity has been made, a representative of the athletic department will announce via the PA system: 1. Fans are advised to immediately seek shelter in the nearest enclosed, grounded shelter. (Football-Newell Field or vehicles, Softball- Nearest grounded shelter or vehicles, Baseball- vehicles, Soccer-Nearest grounded shelter or vehicles.) 2. REMEMBER: an automobile, golf cart, or open-sided shelter may not protect you from a lightning strike so these are not adequate shelters. RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY: During practice, activity may resume under the following conditions.. This decision will be based on: ¨ Thirty minutes AFTER the last alarm from the lightning detector OR thirty minutes after a lightning strike within an 8-mile range using the Flash-Bang method. During a game situation the activity will resume once the Athletic Director, Athletic Training staff member and officials have conferred and the above criteria have been met. OTHER LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS: (1999-2000 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook) 1. There should be no contact with metal objects (bleachers, fences, golf clubs, bats) 2. Single or tall trees, tall objects and standing in a group should be avoided. 3. If there is no other shelter you may seek refuge in a hardtop vehicle. It is not the rubber tires that protect from lightning; it is the hard top metal roof that dissipates the lightning around the vehicle. 4. The existence of blue skies and/or absence of rain are not protection from lightning. Lightning can strike 10 miles from the rain shaft. 5. DO NOT LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND 6. Avoid using a landline telephone. 7. Avoid standing water and open fields 8. If in a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick grove of small trees. 9. If you feel your skin tingling immediately crouch and grab your legs and tuck your head as described above to minimize your body’s surface area. 10. Persons who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. Therefore, enact the EMS system and provide emergency care. CPR is what is most often required. If possible, move the victim to a safe location. 11. For additional information refer to the National Lightning Safety Institute at www.lightningsafety.com FLASH-to-BANG Lightning Detection Method1. Prior to practice or competition, monitor the weather forecast to include calling local agencies for up to date information. 2. Watch for the flash of lightning. 3. Begin to count (one, one thousand, two one thousand . . . . ) 4. Stop counting when you hear the bang of thunder. 5. Take this number and divide by 5. This will give you an approximation of how far away the lightning is (5 seconds = 1 mile). EXAMPLE: You see a flash of lightning and you begin to count. You reach 40 seconds before you hear the bang of thunder. 40/5 = 8. The lightning would be approximately 8 miles away. All activities should cease for at least 30 minutes. 6. Activity is resumed
with the permission of a member of the Athletic Training Staff 30
minutes after the last lightning detected at or within the 8-mile range. PA ANNOUNCEMENT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER May I have your attention. We have been notified of approaching inclement weather. Activity will cease until we have determined it is safe and the risk of lightning is diminished. We advise you to seek shelter in the following areas: AT BELHAVEN COLLEGE: 1. Football Game: Evacuate to your vehicle. 2. Softball Game: Evacuate to your vehicle. 3. Baseball Game: Evacuate to your vehicle 4. Cross Country Race: Suitable Structure, ditch without water, group of trees, your vehicle, etc. 5. Soccer: Evacuate to your vehicle 6. Tennis: Evacuate to your vehicle 7. Golf: Evacuate to your vehicle Though protection from lightning is not guaranteed, you may seek shelter in an automobile. Thank you for your cooperation. COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR ALL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL As a member of the Belhaven College Athletic Department, I attest that I have read, understand, and will adhere to the Belhaven College Athletic Department Lightning Safety
policy. _______________________ ___________________________ Signature of staff member Date |
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