Rowing Victoria Extreme Heat Guidelines updated June 2013

Transcription

1 Rowing Victia Extreme Heat Guidelines updated June 2013 Preamble Heat stress is a serious risk but due to the relatively sht duration of rowing events, injuries due to heat are very uncommon. Even rowing events held in tropical countries where temperatures are often in the mid 30 s and humidity above 85% rarely experience heat injuries. Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) occurs when there is a failure of the body s cooling mechanisms to dissipate the heat produced by muscular activity. Of the energy consumed during exercise, 60% produces heat and 40% supplies the chemical energy f muscle contraction. The main cooling mechanism is the pumping of blood through the skin where it is cooled. The skin is cooled by radiating heat and by the evapation of sweat which maximises heat loss. The most serious heat injuries occur when dehydration depletes blood volume which in turn leads to a reduction of blood flow to the skin. High ambient temperature reduces the amount of heat that can be dissipated and high humidity reduces the cooling from evapation of sweat. Multiple facts are involved in the risk of dehydration and heat injury. These include: Pre-race heat exposure and hydration----long periods in the sun in high temperature and inadequate fluid intake pri to the event increase the risk of heat injury Duration of events-----the risk increases significantly f events longer than 2000m. Head races such as the Head of the Yarra are high risk events. The number of events competits are participating in on the race day.----the me events the greater the risk of dehydration and heat injury. Time between events --- a shter the time between events reduces the time to cool down and rehydrate. Time on the water exposed to heat and direct sun befe and after the race. Acclimatization to heat----athletes will be well adapted to hot weather late in summer but less so on a hot day in late spring. General conditioning of the athletes---fit well prepared athletes adapt well to hot conditions. Poly prepared athletes, especially that carrying excess body fat do not adapt as well. Age - Master s athletes vary considerably in their fitness and overall level of health. Some will have serious medical conditions including conary heart disease that could contribute to the risk of heat injury could be exacerbated by hyperthermia. It should be noted that Masters generally compete over 1000m which greatly reduces the risk of heat injury. Young athletes (under 17) are at greater risk of heat injury than mature rowers. Knowledge of coaches and athletes about the imptance of adequate fluid intake and managing heat exposure in both training and racing. Training in hot weather may present a higher risk than racing due to the longer duration of a typical training session. Given the above range of facts that may influence the risk of heat injury, there will inevitably need to be some judgement exercised by coaches, athletes and officials when determining whether a rower a regatta should proceed. Coaches, athletes and to a lesser extent competition ganisers have a duty of care to monit environmental conditions and to take action to minimise the risk of heat stress. Scope of these Recommendations These recommendations shall apply to all competitions conducted in Victia under the auspices of, and sanctioned, by Rowing Victia Inc. Page 1 of 5

2 Structure of the Extreme Heat Recommendations These recommendations are divided into sections, viz. 1. Activating the Extreme Heat Recommendations 2. Heat Index 3. Requirements of Coaches and Athletes 4. Requirements of the Regatta Secretary 5. Recommendations to Regatta Committees 6. Role and Responsibilities of the President of the Jury 7. Instruments f measuring Heat Index 8. Heat Index Table 9. Procedures f reducing the risk of heat stress 1. Activating the Extreme Heat Recommendations The following minimum requirements will determine activation of the Extreme Heat Recommendations. Temperatures are to be deemed at the regatta venue either above the water by the side of the course, NOT in direct sunlight. Once ambient temperature reaches 30 C the referee will activate the RV Extreme Heat Procedure. Temperature will be recded at hourly intervals until temperature reaches 32 C. At this level, readings will be taken at 30 minute intervals and once the Heat Index is 35 greater the Ambient Temperature is 34 greater the Extreme Heat Policy will be enfced. The Extreme Heat policy is to be enfced as follows F competits at risk All racing must be suspended on completion of the current race and no further races are to commence f competits who a) have been identified by their Club School Safety Officers as people at risk, b) who know themselves to be at risk of heat stress due to age infirmity c) are aged 16 years and younger, F competits over 16 years of age and those not at risk (Open) These competits may continue to compete at their own discretion. Competits who elect not to compete and withdraw once the Heat Policy is enfced will not attract a penalty f withdrawal. Competits who are considered not at risk are those competits who a) have not been identified by their Club School safety officer as a person at risk due to age infirmity, b) who are not a person at risk of heat stress due to age infirmity c) who are competits aged 17 years and above. The President of the Jury will effect implementation of the Heat Policy by a) ensuring that all under 17, Year 9 and Year 10 races cease (on completion of the current race) and no further under 17, Year 9 and Year 10 races are to commence, and b) ensuring that an announcement is made that all other rowers under 17 of age are advised to now cease competition. c) Ensuring that temperature readings are taken at 30 minute intervals and the readings are made available to competits and clubs through the course public address system. 2. Heat Index The Heat Index shall be determined from the Heat Index Table enclosed by using the Ambient Temperature and the Relative Humidity measured at the course at the same time. F example, if the Temperature is 35 C and the Relative Humidity is 40%, the Heat Index is a value of 37. If the Temperature is 35 C and the Relative Humidity is 60%, the Heat Index is a value of 45. `Page 2 of 5

3 3. Requirements of Coaches and Competits Coaches and competits must make themselves aware of the facts which can cause injury from dehydration and heat injury outlined in the preamble to this policy and in particular: Identify whether the athlete is a person at risk and if so abide by the requirements above. Maintain appropriate levels of hydration Minimise the time exposed to direct sunshine Reduce the number of events competed in to a level appropriate f the athlete concerned. Ensure that there is sufficient time between events to reduce body heat and rehydrate Follow the recommendations provided in the imptant infmation section of this policy. 4. Requirements of Regatta Secretaries They must have the appropriate instrument to measure temperature and relative humidity to determine Heat Index levels. If racing is suspended, Regatta Secretaries must ensure that competits involved in the next round of scheduled races are advised by the public address system not to leave the venue without permission of the Regatta Secretary. Cold drinking water should be made available. Cold showers should be made available. Ice should be made available f heat stress emergencies. Adequate shaded areas should be provided. Regatta Secretary s should have access to a person with a current Seni First Aid Certificate. Ready access to medical assistance. Infmation about the nearest medical assistance should be on display in a prominent location. Promote awareness of the seriousness of heat stress and the steps that can be taken to reduce the danger by displaying and distributing appropriate infmation such as the Drink Up Beat the Heat leaflet (available at produced by Spts Medicine Australia). The Beat the Heat Recommendations as included in the Extreme Heat Recommendations should also be displayed at all venues. 5. Recommendations to Regatta Committees Have cold water drinking fountains at each venue. Appoint a Primary Health Care Provider to the event. Encourage competits to wear hats that cover the top of the ears and back of the necks. Avoid scheduling races in the middle of the day when the risk of heat stress is highest. Consider modifying racing distances. 6. Role and Responsibility of the President of the Jury Under the FISA Rules of racing, the President of the Jury has the power to suspend racing postpone any race on account of the weather conditions. The President of the Jury in consultation with the Regatta Secretary and / Primary Health Care Provider may invoke the Extreme Heat Recommendations if he/she believes there is real danger to the competits health. The measurement values used in the Extreme Heat Recommendations to determine the level of risk are f an average person involved in continuous strenuous activity in high temperatures. Individual persons will be affected differently by the environmental conditions depending on their: - Fitness level and level of acclimatisation - Athletic ability - Age and Gender - Any predisposed medical conditions Upgrading the risk level and even suspending racing may be appropriate in environmental circumstances falling outside the cut-offs listed in the Extreme Heat Recommendations, particularly if Heat Index values are being used. `Page 3 of 5

4 7. Instruments f measuring Heat Index In using the Heat Index Table provided, Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity should be measured directly at each competition venue. Relative Humidity can be determined by using a digital thermometer/hygrometer that can be purchased at electronic stes at a reasonably low cost. 8. Heat Index Table The Heat Index was devised f shady, light wind conditions and does not take into account radiant heat. Direct sunshine and strong, hot, dry winds can significantly increase the apparent temperature and thus the risk of heat stress. AMBIENT (AIR) TEMPERATURE ( C) Policy Level at Policy Level % % R 10% E 15% L 20% A 25% T 30% I 35% V 40% E 45% % H 55% U 60% M 65% I 70% D 75% I 80% T 85% Y 90% % % Procedures f Reducing the Risk of Heat Stress Beat The Heat High intensity exercise in a hot environment, with the associated fluid loss and elevation of body temperature, can lead to Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Avoid Heat Stress By Adequate Fluid Replacement. Racing in hot weather will result in extra fluid loss (dehydration). Even small degrees of dehydration will cause a decrease in perfmance and this can occur at any stage of a competition, particularly in hot conditions. Dehydration contributes to fatigue and may make you me susceptible to cramps, heat stress and heat stroke. Children are at a greater risk of heat stress than mature adults. BEAT THE HEAT USING THE FOLLOWING MEASURES What to Wear Wear a hat, cap vis a broad brimmed hat is preferred. Wear a 30+ sunscreen to prevent skin damage and skin cancer. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Replace sweat-saturated garments with dry clothing. `Page 4 of 5

5 Drink Plenty of Water Do Not Wait To Feel Thirsty Befe You Drink! Sweat is mainly water and a very little salt. Drink cool water as it is absbed me rapidly than warm water. If competing f me than one hour, use a spts drink - a carbohydrate drink of 5-10% concentration with a small amount of sodium chlide (salt tablets should be avoided because of their very high sodium chlide content, which can make dehydration wse). Thirst is a po indicat it is a late signal of severe fluid loss. Fluid Replacement Routine Avoid starting exercise dehydrated (drink plenty of fluids f several hours pri to participating). Drink at least 500 ml (2-3 glasses) ½ to 1 hr befe a race. Drink at least 500 ml to 1 litre (5-6 glasses) after a race and continue to drink until fluid losses are replaced. Symptoms of Heat Injury Or Heat Stroke Symptoms of heat injury heat stroke include: - Fatigue - Nausea - Headache - Confusion - Light-headedness If you have these symptoms, you should stop competing, drink me fluids and cool down (seek medical treatment if symptoms do not improve rapidly). `Page 5 of 5