Dr. Kristen Kucera, the Director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), reports that 6 catastrophic heat stroke events (5 confirmed, 1 possible) have occurred so far this year in high school football. This is a significantly higher number of heat stroke events compared to each of the past 2 years. In 2014 there was a total of 3 heat strokes (1 fatal) plus 2 fatal cases of overhydration/water intoxication reported and in 2013 there was only 1 non-fatal heat stroke. Everyone involved in sports must take all necessary steps to prevent this from occurring, not just in football but for any fall sport.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just reported that July 2015 was the hottest month on record in the United States and expects August to also be hotter than normal. This means that School Administrators, Athletic Directors, Coaches and Athletic Trainers need to remain hyper-vigilant about preventing, detecting and treating heat illness.
Please review the links below for valuable information:
With your assistance and leadership, we can stop this very worrisome and potentially deadly series of heat-related incidents across the country.
