Implementing Perry Weather for Consistent Decision-Making

After adopting Perry Weather, all athletic trainers and coaches in Prince William County Public Schools now use the same lightning detection and warning system, ensuring consistent decisions across the entire district.

Dr. Grimm shared an example of a game where the sky was illuminated by lightning, but it was challenging to determine the lightning’s distance with the naked eye. Without Perry Weather, they might have had to empty the entire stadium. However, with Perry Weather, they were confident that the lightning was not within the 10-mile radius, allowing them to continue playing.

Automating Lightning Alerts and Notifications

When lightning strikes within 10 miles, Perry Weather automatically sounds sirens across the stadium or field, warning players, coaches, and fans of the nearby lightning. Coaches, trainers, and anyone on the platform also receive instant notifications on their phones when lightning is detected within the 10-mile policy range, along with clear instructions on what to do next.

Here is an example of the Perry Weather warning system siren sound:

After a strike is detected, a 30-minute countdown timer begins, resetting to 30 minutes if more strikes are detected. Once the timer reaches 0, an all-clear message sounds over the sirens, and mobile notifications are sent to trainers and coaching staff, indicating that it is safe to resume activities. This automated system eliminates the need for sending multiple text messages or communicating via radio, reducing stress on athletic trainers during lightning delays and ensuring protocols are followed properly.

Navigating VHSL Heat Stress Policies Without the Headache

Prince William County Public Schools is part of the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which has guidelines for managing heat stress during outdoor activities using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Athletic trainers must measure WBGT and monitor readings to ensure practices are conducted safely. Ranges determine the need for shortened practices, additional water breaks, or, in some cases, the cancellation of outdoor practices.

Previously, Ashley Ausborn, the Coordinator of Sports Medicine for the district and a former athletic trainer, and other athletic trainers in PWCS used handheld WBGT devices to take readings. They then manually compared the readings to a chart provided by VHSL and informed coaches about necessary practice alterations. This process was cumbersome, inefficient, and challenging to manage.

Automated WBGT Readings and Notifications With Perry Weather

WBGT readings are automatically taken from weather stations located on campus every 15 minutes and logged. The platform has integrated VHSL heat stress guidelines, so whenever WBGT readings cross into a zone requiring practice alterations, notifications are automatically sent to all trainers and staff. These notifications include the reading and the necessary alterations based on VHSL heat stress activity guidelines, eliminating the manual and cumbersome process used in the past.

A WBGT device is a measurement tool that uses ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation from the sun to get a measure that can be used to monitor environmental conditions during exercise. Establishing WBGT guidelines that dictate modifications in activity (work:rest ratios, hydration breaks, equipment worn, length of practice) at given WBGT temperatures play a huge factor in helping to prevent EHS.

As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the exercising individual. Exercise in the heat causes athletes to rely on evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat that is produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is further hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of EHS.

When examining deaths that have occurred from EHS during American football, most of the deaths (~65%) have occurred during the month of August in the eastern quadrant of the US. In addition, over half of the reported deaths occurred during morning practices when humidity levels were high. These results show a direct correlation between increased temperature and humidity levels and risk of mortality as a result of EHS.