HYDRATION AND FLUID INTAKE TIPS AND GUIDELINES:
The best protection for heat illness is water and rest. Drink early, drink often, even when players aren’t thirsty. Players should arrive adequately hydrated and drink at least five (5) ounces of water every 15-20 minutes while they are active in the heat.
Drink regularly throughout all physical activities. An athlete cannot always rely on his or her sense of thirst to sufficiently maintain proper hydration.
Drink before, during, and after practices and games. For example: – Drink 16 ounces of fluid 2 hours before physical activity. – Drink another 8 to 16 ounces 15 minutes before physical activity. – During physical activity, drink 4 to 8 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes (some athletes who sweat considerably can safely and comfortably tolerate up to 48 ounces per hour).
Watch for heat illness signs: weakness, dizziness, slow pulse, and clammy skin. If sweating can’t cool the body, especially because the player is dehydrated, heat stroke could develop. Signs of this are confusion, collapse, rapid pulse, and dry skin (no longer sweating).
Heat stroke may cause convulsions or even unconsciousness. This is a medical emergency and professional help should be sought immediately.
Ask players to bring water or a sports drink with modest amounts of electrolytes, but nothing with caffeine that acts as a diuretic and drains water from the body.
Evidence shows that sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be applied to exposed skin every time children will be in the sun for extended periods, to help keep the player cool and to protect against future skin cancer risk.
Provide sunshades for all dugouts and spectator areas as possible.
Provide cool water and wet towels (with or without ice) for players and to apply to necks.
Anyone who begins to develop cramps, dizziness, or other signs of heat stress should be removed from the game, given cool water, and placed in as cool a place as possible.
Make sure volunteers know to call 9-1-1 if the player becomes disoriented or confused, as this is a sign of the more serious heat stroke.