Heat & Air Quality Policy
WEATHER GUIDELINES
Managing extreme heat is a way of life in our community during the warmer months. As soccer begins during this time, it's imperative that all participants respect the weather and take steps to beat the heat when training:
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after practice. Stay hydrated!
- Acclimatization is the body’s natural adaptation to exercising in the heat. Follow acclimatization guidelines and build up fitness levels gradually.
- Modify practices when necessary and recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
- Please enforce the the club's Heat & Air Quality Policy below.
- Wear sunscreen!
Coaches are ultimately responsible for the safety of their players, but parents play an important role too. In addition to the U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover website, here are some resources to help everyone stay safe and beat the heat:
HEAT & AIR QUALITY POLICY
EDHSC believes the safety and well-being of participants is of utmost importance. In conjunction with the recommendations of various local and national regulating agencies, the club has developed the following policies regarding the restriction or cancellation of all outdoor activities for teams and players.
We use www.purpleair.com as the source for measurements of air quality, known as the Air Quality Index (AQI). We encourage all coaches and parents to monitor air quality conditions by this website. Specifically, we use the "US EPA PM2.5 AQI" real-time reading based on the "AQandU" conversion factor. The club will use utilize the reading from the sensor in closest proximity to the applicable field.
We use www.weather.gov to report temperature measurements.
Air quality and weather conditions will potentially affect EDHSC practice and game schedules.
COACHES MUST ENFORCE THIS POLICY AT ALL TIMES!
Any cancellations due to AQI or temperature should be recorded as club cancellation due to safety, and not a forfeit.
If at any time you feel uncomfortable with the weather conditions, or are concerned for the safety of a child, you are encouraged to hold the child out of the scheduled activity.
AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2020
Air Quality Guidelines
For more information on AQI basics please visit: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
GAMES:
- If the AQI at the time and location of the game is between 126-150 as reported by www.purpleair.com, coaches are strongly encouraged to make modifications by increasing breaks and making more substitutions to lower kids' breathing rates.
- If the AQI at the time and location of the game is greater than or equal to 151 as reported by www.purpleair.com, then the game MUST be cancelled.
PRACTICE:
- If the AQI at the time and location of practice is between 126-150 as reported by www.purpleair.com, coaches are encouraged to conduct a limited exertion practice, increase breaks or cancel the practice all together at their discretion.
- If the AQI at the time and location of practice is greater than or equal to 151 as reported by www.purpleair.com, then practice MUST be cancelled.
Temperature Guidelines
Coaches and parents should monitor players for signs of heat-related illness: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
GAMES:
- If the temperature at the time and location of the game is between 100-103 degrees (F) as reported by www.weather.gov, coaches are encouraged to monitor players. Coaches should also ensure players are rested, rotated and hydrated. Before the game starts, request additional "hydration breaks" from game officials.
- If the temperature at the time and location of the game is greater than 103 as reported by www.weather.gov, then the game MUST be cancelled.
PRACTICE:
- If the temperature at the time and location of practice is between 100-103 as reported by www.weather.gov, coaches are strongly encouraged to conduct a limited exertion practice. Coaches are also encouraged to give frequent water breaks, monitor their players closely, or cancel practice all together at their discretion.
- If the temperature at the time and location of practice is greater than 103 as reported by www.weather.gov, then practice MUST be cancelled.
- FOR TURF FIELDS: If the temperature at the time and place of practice is 100 degrees or greater as reported by www.weather.gov, then practice MUST be cancelled.