REGIONAL SAFETY PLAN
NH EAP/SAFESPORT LINK
Regional Safety Statement - New Hartford AYSO's highest priority is the safety and well-being of our children and their families. We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment where players can enjoy their soccer experience. Safety can be achieved when all parties (Parents, Referees, Coaches, and fans ) work responsibly to keep our players and visitors safe from danger.
Remember,
Safety starts with you!
GAME CANCELLATIONS - Game cancellations or delays are all game time decisions unless initiated by the Regional Commissioner, the Safety Director or the Coach Administrator based upon the forecast. General cancellations will be posted on the website under both the rotating announcements and news.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY - In the event of a serious medical emergency, call 911. If qualified to do so, apply First Aid or CPR immediately as necessary. First AID kits and Ice Packs are available in the sheds at 111 New Hartford Street.
RAIN - AYSO practices and plays in the rain. If the temperature is below 40 degrees and it is raining, the game should be cancelled by the coaches/referees. This is a game time decision.
THUNDER AND/OR LIGHTNING - AYSO practices or games should be terminated immediately upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning. If the schedule will allow before the next games are scheduled, games can resume if there is no additional thunder or lightning in the next 30 minutes. Additional thunder or lightning resets the 30 minute clock before play can restart. This is a game time decision as well unless initiated by the Regional Commissioner, the Safety Director or the Coach Administrator.
Please wait the 30 minutes in a safe place which at 111 New Hartford Street is only inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle with windows up. Unless in an extreme situation the small sheds, open areas, and trees are not considered safe. If a lightning strike occurs to an individual, call 911, if qualified to do so, apply First Aid or CPR immediately,
HEAT - Our location falls in the Category 2 Region and Training and Match Play limits include cancellation of training when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is
>89.9°F. CHART LINK BELOW. Match play hydration breaks and consideration of shortening of games/practice should be considered with WBGT of 89.6°F. Hydration breaks include breaks of 4 minutes for each 30 minutes of continuous play (i.e., minute 30 and 75 of 90 minute match). Training should be limited according to the Alert Level for Category 2. CHART LINK BELOW.
HEAT GUIDELINES RESOURCE/WBGT GRAPHCOLD - Games and practices are played in the cold and even potentially in the snow. Coaches may cancel training in the event of low temperatures.
The uniform jersey needs to be the last thing that a player puts on and any garments underneath it should be free from drawstrings, hard plastic or hard zippers. Remember that players will be very warm after running around the field after the ball, and that when coming off the field, they should add an additional layer (blanket, jacket, etc.) to prevent any chill that might overtake them. If the Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) is 30 degrees or less particularly in the setting of rain/precipitation all 6U-10U games/practices will be terminated and 12U games continuing will be approached with caution and decision made at game time.
AIR QUALITY - Particularly given the recent issues with regard to air quality, attention to air quality will be made with regard to cancelling or limiting game/practice. Air Quality Index will be obtained on are to use
www.AIRNOW.gov. Recommendations based on Air Quality Index (AQI) are below.
AQI 100-150: Add one hydration break per half to be taken at the 30’ and 75’ or at a natural break close to the times. Players with underlying health conditions should use caution and will communicate with local CMO and each team to monitor players with complicating health issues. To make decisions in the players best interests and risk category
AQI >150: Four hydration breaks will be taken at the 15’, 30’, 60’, and 75’ or at a natural break close to the times. Restriction will be in line with local and or regional restrictions if in place
AQI approaching 180-200: Consideration for postponing or canceling with on the ground assessment with the medical team. Restriction will be in line with local and or regional restrictions if in place.
AQI over 200: Cancel or postpone all training and games.
SHED SAFETY - ONLY COACHES OR AYSO VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE SHEDS. NO PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE SHEDS.
PORTABLE TOILET USE - IF A PLAYER NEEDS TO USE THE PORTABLE TOILET - 2 players or the player's parent should accompany the player.
PLAYER DROP OFF - COACHES CANNOT LEAVE PRACTICE OR GAMES UNTIL ALL PLAYERS HAVE LEFT WITH PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
NO 6U OR 8U PARENTS SHOULD "DROP OFF" A PLAYER AND LEAVE. A RESPONSIBLE ADULT MUST STAY AT THE FIELD.
IDEALLY, A PARENT OR GUARDIAN WILL STAY AT THE FIELD FOR THE DURATION OF GAMES OR PRACTICE. IF A 10U OR 12U PLAYER IS "DROPPED OFF", THE PARENT SHOULD CHECK IN WITH THE COACH AND NOT LEAVE BEFORE HAVING CHECKED IN WITH THE COACH. PARENTS MUST CONFIRM THAT THE COACH HAS THEIR NUMBER IN CASE THERE IS A NEED TO CONTACT THE PARENT OR IN AN EMERGENCY. PARENTS MUST BE ABLE TO RETURN IN A TIMELY FASHION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR INCLEMENT WEATHER. PARENTS MUST INFORM THE COACH WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO PICKUP THE PLAYER.
GOAL SAFETY - AT ALL TIMES, NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO HANG ON OR PULL ON GOALS. GOALS SHOULD NOT BE MOVED. IF GOALS ARE EVER MOVED, HIGHLY DISCOURAGED, THE COACH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSURING THAT THE GOALS ARE SECURED DURING AND AFTER PRACTICE.
U10 AND U12 GOALS CHECKED EACH WEEK OF SEASON BY REGIONAL COMMISSIONER/FIELD VOLUNTEER. U10/U12 GOALS CHECKED EACH WEEK BY REFEREE/COACHES AT EACH GAME. U10/U12 GOALS SECURED BY TOWN/AYSO AT START AND THROUGHOUT SEASON
ANCHORS AVAILABLE IN THE SHEDS IF ADDITIONAL ANCHOR DEEMED NECESSARY. FIELDS CHECKED FOR SAFETY WHILE BEING STRIPED EACH WEEK.
GOALS ARE LABELLED WITH WARNING SIGNS REGARDING SAFETY REMINDER.
EMAILS SENT PRIOR TO AND FOLLOWING SEASON REGARDING GOAL SAFETY, INCLUDED IN DISCUSSION AT COACHES MEETING
CONCUSSION AWARENESS -
Concussions are potentially serious injuries. Effects of a concussion can be serious.
For more information go to the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heads up Concussion pages at: CDC “Heads Up” Concussion Action Plan.
Additional Resources can be found at: CDC – Concussion Safety
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST
Definition: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a potentially fatal condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.
SCA in student athletes is rare; the chance of SCA occurring to any individual student athlete is about one in 100,000. However, student athletes’ risk of SCA is nearly four times that of non-athletes due to the increased demands on the heart during exercise.
Causes: SCA is caused by several structural and electrical diseases of the heart. These conditions predispose an individual to have an abnormal rhythm that can be fatal if not treated within a few minutes. Most conditions responsible for SCA in children are inherited, which means the tendency to have these conditions is passed from parents to children through the genes. Other possible causes of SCA are a sudden blunt non-penetrating blow to the chest and the use of recreational or performance-enhancing drugs and/or energy drinks.
Warning Signs of SCA
SCA strikes immediately.
SCA should be suspected in any athlete who has
collapsed and is unresponsive.
o No response to tapping on shoulders
o Does nothing when asked if he/she is OK
No pulse
Emergency Response to SCA
Act immediately; time is most critical to increase
survival rates.
Recognize SCA.
Call 911 immediately and activate EMS.
Administer CPR.
Use Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
Warning signs of potential heart issues: The following need to be further evaluated by your primary care
provider.
Family history of heart disease/cardiac arrest
Fainting, a seizure, or convulsions during physical activity
Fainting or a seizure from emotional excitement, emotional distress, or being startled
Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially during exertion
Exercise-induced chest pain
Palpitations: awareness of the heart beating, especially if associated with other symptoms such as dizziness
Extreme tiredness or shortness of breath associated with exercise
History of high blood pressure
Risk of Inaction: Ignoring such symptoms and continuing to play could be catastrophic and result in sudden
cardiac death. Taking these warning symptoms seriously and seeking timely appropriate medical care can
prevent serious and possibly fatal consequences.