B L Bennett1. 1. Brian L. Bennett is Assistant Athletic Trainer at Division of Sports Medicine, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187-0399.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to present a model policy on lightning safety for athletic trainers. BACKGROUND: Among college athletic programs in the United States there is a serious lack of written policy on lightning safety. Available evidence shows that most National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions, even though they are located in high lightning activity areas of the country, do not have formal, written lightning safety policies. CLINICAL ADVANTAGES/ RECOMMENDATIONS: The policy presented herein, which is at the forefront of such policies, is the lightning safety policy written as part of a policies and procedures manual for the division of sports medicine at a public NCAA Division I university. This is a policy based on practicality that utilizes the "flash-to- bang" method for determining the distance of lightning activity from the observer. The policy begins with the importance of prevention, including the daily monitoring of weather reports. The policy defines a "safe shelter" and specifies the chain of command for determining who removes a team or individuals from an athletic site in the event of dangerous lightning activity.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to present a model policy on lightning safety for athletic trainers. BACKGROUND: Among college athletic programs in the United States there is a serious lack of written policy on lightning safety. Available evidence shows that most National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions, even though they are located in high lightning activity areas of the country, do not have formal, written lightning safety policies. CLINICAL ADVANTAGES/ RECOMMENDATIONS: The policy presented herein, which is at the forefront of such policies, is the lightning safety policy written as part of a policies and procedures manual for the division of sports medicine at a public NCAA Division I university. This is a policy based on practicality that utilizes the "flash-to- bang" method for determining the distance of lightning activity from the observer. The policy begins with the importance of prevention, including the daily monitoring of weather reports. The policy defines a "safe shelter" and specifies the chain of command for determining who removes a team or individuals from an athletic site in the event of dangerous lightning activity.
Authors: Robert A Huggins; Samantha E Scarneo; Douglas J Casa; Luke N Belval; Kate S Carr; George Chiampas; Michael Clayton; Ryan M Curtis; A J Duffy; Alexandra Flury; Matthew Gammons; Yuri Hosokawa; John F Jardine; Cynthia R LaBella; Rachael Oats; Jack W Ransone; Scott R Sailor; Katie Scott; Rebecca L Stearns; Lesley W Vandermark; Timothy Weston Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2017-03-07 Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: Katie M Walsh; Mary Ann Cooper; Ron Holle; Vladimir A Rakov; William P Roeder; Michael Ryan Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2013-02-20 Impact factor: 2.860