Keeping student athletes safe from heat heading into school year

With school back in session, teams are getting back on the track or field to kick off the new sports season.

Coaches and parents are having to be extra cautious when their athletes are playing in the desert heat.

Working up a sweat on and even off the field –can be dangerous when the sun is beating down.

“They need a lot of rest especially during this heat... There was one day after was one of his practices, he was just like 'I don't feel good mom,'" said Vanessa Garza.

Garza's son plays for the Cathedral City lions. Whether it’s practice or a game time, she makes sure he goes into it with plenty of water.

“I try to make sure he has like his Gatorade, his water. I bought him like a big flask to keep his water and ice. So just try to keep him hydrated as much as I can," she said.

With padding, a helmet and jerseys on, it traps in even more heat. Head Coach Richard Lee tells us it’s a top priority to make sure his players stay hydrated.

“It actually starts at the beginning of the day. We talked about them with their hydration stuff, we make sure that they do that all day, we make sure they have it when they're on campus. Everybody's got to carry a water bottle, we do things like that," said Coach Lee.

Him and his players have dealt with a lot of hot summer days, but for the first time they’re getting some extra help to stay cool.

“Our district purchased these Portacools for every school in the district," he explained. "It's a cooling station, you know, you allow your kids to sit here cool off cooldown, get their body temperature back to where it should be, and then get up and get up back in the game or practice.”

Sometimes, it’s just so hot and there’s no getting around it.

Coach lee tells us they do what it takes to keep their players safe, even it means canceling practice.

“The heat, humidity, the air pressure, air quality, they combine all these things together, and they come with an index point. And if it's higher than the index point, then you have to shut down no outdoor activity," Lee said. "I feel like, I'm blessed to be out here. And I feel like you know, I get to coach football. So being around these guys, I want to make sure they're ready to go. And they're safe. That's number one.”

John Hopkins Medicine urges parents to keep an eye out:

1. Heat Acclimatization

• Slowly getting used to the heat is the biggest prevention method.During the first 10 to 14 days of heat exposure, athletes should gradually increase the duration and intensity of their exercise or activity. This is especially important for children and teens who may be out of shape and/or considered overweight (BMI over 25). The National Athletic Trainers’ Association suggests a 14-day period in its high school-specific guidelines for preseason heat acclimatization.It’s also important to understand that heat-related illness isn’t confined to hot days. Individuals are also susceptible on days with moderate temperatures and high humidity.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

• Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to help prevent heat-related illness. Coaches and parents need to make sure unlimited amounts of water are available for athletes during practices and games, but it is also important for them to stress that athletes need to drink water before and after activity as well. Not doing so could have severe consequences and be life-threatening given the right conditions. Learn about the signs of dehydration and heat stroke.

3. Early Recognition and Cooling

Quick recognition of a heat-related illness is paramount to survival because the signs and symptoms are generally nonspecific:

• Disorientation
• Dizziness, weakness
• Unusual behavior
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Be proactive. If you see someone struggling, pull them out of the game or practice, ask them how they are feeling, give them some water and cool them down. Cold compresses or ice should always be kept on hand for circumstances that require immediate cooling.If a child athlete is not behaving typically and the conditions are right for heat-related illness, you should investigate. Parents, coaches and trainers know the children the best and can often recognize when something doesn’t seem right