• Heat index will be checked 1 hour before the contest/practice by a certified athletic trainer, athletic director, or school designee when the air temperature is 80 degrees (Fahreheit) or higher.
• The athletic trainer, athletic director, or school designee will use the accuweather.com website (see link below) to determine the heat index for the area of the contest/practice.  Once a person is on the accuweather.com website, they will put in the zip code for the location of the contest/practice and the website will give them the air temperature as well as the RealFeel temperature (heat index).
• If the RealFeel temperature (heat index) is 90 degrees or above, the athletic trainer, athletic director, or school designee must re-check the RealFeel (heat index) at halftime or midway point of the contest.  If the RealFeel (heat index) temperature is 96 degrees (Fahrenheit) or more, the contest will be suspended.

Please refer to the following chart to take the appropriate actions:

         RealFeel (Heat Index)           Full activity.  No restrictions
         under 79 degrees

        RECOMMENDED:

        Heat Index Caution:              Provide ample water and multiple water breaks.
        RealFeel (Heat Index)            Monitor athletes for heat illness.
        80 - 85 degrees                    Consider reducing the amount of time for the
                                                   practice session.

        Heat Index Watch:                Provide ample water and multiple water breaks.
        RealFeel (Heat Index)            Monitor athletes for heat illness.
        86 - 90 degrees                    Consider postponing practice to a time when
                                                   RealFeel temp is lower.
                                                   Consider reducing the amount of time for the
                                                   practice session.
                                                   1 hour of recovery time for every hour of practice
                                                   (ex. 2hr practice = 2hr recovery time).

        Heat Index Warning:             Provide ample water and water breaks every
        RealFeel (Heat Index)            15 minutes.
        91 - 95 degrees                    Monitor athletes for heat illness.
                                                   Consider postponing practice to a time when
                                                   RealFeel temp is much lower.
                                                   Consider reducing the amount of time for the
                                                   practice session.
                                                   1 hour of recovery time for every hour of practice
                                                   (ex. 2hr practice = 2hr recovery time).
                                                   Light weight and loose fitting clothes should be
                                                   worn.
                                                   For practices only Football helmets should be
                                                   worn.  No other protective equipment should be
                                                   worn.

         REQUIRED:

         Heat Index Alert:                 No outside activity, practice or contest should be
         RealFeel (Heat Index)          held.  Inside activity should only be held if air-
         96 degrees or greater          conditioned.