Lightning Safety PWCS follows the "See it Flee it, Hear it Clear it" policy. All athletic venues must be vacated. Spectators must return to their vehicles and athletes must take shelter inside of the school building.
PWCS Outdoor Weather Policy
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Monitoring
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.
PWCS is located in Category 3- Click on the picture to enlarge