lightning pollution altitude jet lag 100 deaths and 400-500 injuries per year lightning strikes...
TRANSCRIPT
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS
Lightning
Pollution
Altitude
Jet Lag
Facts about Lightning
100 deaths and 400-500 injuries per year
Lightning strikes that are seen are not coming down! They are the return strokes going back up after a hit
Lightning can occur without thunder Thunder cannot occur without lightning
NATA Position Statement
Deaths can be avoided with proper planning
Chain of Command Who has the authority to suspend games?
Weather Watcher Person in charge of monitoring weather
information and local changes Tools to watch weather
Radio, TV, internet, apps. National weather service
NATA Position Statement
Safe Structures Primary choice
Fully enclosed & grounded building Secondary choice
fully enclosed vehicle (windows up) Unsafe
Picnic shelters, indoor swimming pools, showers in locker rooms, dugouts
NATA Position Statement
No choice? Find lowest point Crouch feet together, head between knees,
hands over ears Don’t lay flat Don’t stand next to tall structure
NATA Position Statement
Decision making 30-30 rule
When to leave Flash-to-bang-ratio: the amount of seconds
between seeing lightning and hearing thunder Divide # by 5= distance in miles Minimum safety ratio is 30 seconds Lightning can strike from as far as 6-9 miles away
NATA Position Statement
Decision making 30-30 rule
When to return 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning and/or
bang of thunder Storms travel about 25 mph so 30 minutes would
move the storm 10-12 miles away
Why Lightning Injures and Kills
Contact injury Touch object that is struck
Side flash Lightning jumps from structure to person
Step voltage Voltage radiates away from strike and humans
are good conductors of electicity
Why Lightning Injures and Kills
Burn High temperature
Electromechanical forces Strong muscular contractions caused from
electrical current Blunt injury
Violent muscle contractions throw person several yards
Injuries from Lightning Strikes
Fractures Internal organ damage Brain lesions Ruptured tympanic membranes Ocular problems Seizures Subdural and epidural hematomas
What can you do if lightning strikes?
Survey the scene and triage Carefully more victims Treat any suspected injuries Always suspect spinal injury unless ruled
out
Soccer players struck by lightning
Man struck by lightning
Air Pollution
Major problem in urban areas Two types:
Photochemical haze Nitrogen dioxide and stagnant air acted on by
sunlight to produce ozone Smog
Combination of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide
Photochemical Haze
Smog
Ozone
3 atom oxygen molecule Reaction of oxygen, nitrogen oxides,
hydrocarbons, and sunlight Automobile and factory emissions
interferes with functioning High levels will have negative effect on
outdoor activities
Ozone
s/s Shortness of breath Coughing Chest tightness Pain with deep breathing Nausea Eye irritation Fatigue Lung irritationAsthmatics are at a greater risk of becoming affected
Carbon Monoxides
Most frequent air pollutant (smoking) Colorless, odorless gas Reduces ability to transport oxygen and
restricts release of oxygen to the tissues Interferes with:
Performance Attention related activities Attentiveness Decision making Core temperature regulation
Air Pollution
Prevention Stop or decrease activity Perform when commuter traffic is less Running should be avoided in areas of high
traffic due to auto emissions and car carbon monoxide
Altitude
↑ Altitude=↓Oxygen intake=↓Performance
Oxygen delivery and removal is tougher
Body compensates through tachycardia (increase heart) rate and hyperventilation
Altitude Illness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) s/s
Headache Dizziness Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Sleep disturbance Difficulty breathing Suppressed appetite Decreased urine output Tachycardia
Altitude Illness
Management Acclimatization Physical conditioning Diet high carb Diet low in salt
Treatment Move athlete to lower altitude Provide oxygen Rest Eat frequent small meals
Altitude Illness
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema End stage of AMS, due to rapid ascent to
significant altitude (>10,000 ft) s/s
Several days after AMS onset Increased brain call volume Uncoordinated Impaired judgment Inability to make decisions Irrational behavior Altered consciousness
Coma death
Altitude Illness
Management Immediate descent high-flow Oxygen
Altitude Illness
Acclimatization Dependent on altitude
Longer time for higher altitude 10-20 days for maximal performance Lost after 2-3 weeks of leaving
Natives Larger chest capacity More capillaries Higher red blood cell level
Circadian Dysrhythmia (Jet Lag)
Desynchronization of biological clock
Jet lag refers to the physical and mental effects caused by traveling rapidly across time zones
Jet Lag
s/s Fatigue Headaches Digestive problems Changes in blood pressure Changes in heart rate negatively impact performance Predispose athlete to injury Short term anorexia Insomnia Younger individuals adjust more rapidly
Jet Lag
Time Zones North-south travel has no impact unless time
zones are crossed
Jet Lag
Prevention Depart well rested Pre-adjust
Eat according to time changes Avoid dehydration Training schedules
Use caffeine when traveling west Adopt local time on arrival