Inclement Weather - Severe Weather and Lightning Policy

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Inclement Weather - Cold Policy
Sickle Cell Policy

Introduction

Severe weather, like lightning, thunderstorms, and tornados, are dangerous and environmental conditions. Specific guidelines have been established by NATA, NCAA, and Conference Carolinas to ensure the safety of all student-athletes and staff participating in athletic activities.

Monitoring Weather Conditions

  1. When lightning has been detected within 8 miles of the facility, play will be suspended. All participants and onlookers should head toward the designated safe location. 
  2. Play will not resume until the athletic trainer receives an all-clear text from the DTN Weather Service or has checked the online site for a clear signal. All clear is given 30 minutes after the last lightning strike within 8 miles. 
  3. Off-Site Facilities and Events
    1. When Converse University is hosting events off-campus, the stricter policy for lightning guides will be followed. If no policy is set, Converse University policy will be the default policy to follow. If a facility policy does not have a 30 minute delay from the last lightning strike, Converse University policy will be the default policy to follow.

Designated Safety Locations

  1. During an outdoor practice or competition of soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, softball, cross country/track, golf, equestrian, and tennis, participants will seek shelter in the Gibbs Field House or the Weisiger Athletic Building either in the gym or respective locker rooms.
    1. For tornado warnings, seek shelter in the lowest level of the building in a room with no windows and no exterior walls. (Gibbs: Golf/tennis locker room or athletic training room. Weisiger: Any locker room, including staff locking room, office in athletic training room)
  2. If you are an outdoor sport including soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, softball, tennis, cross country, track, golf, or equestrian, practicing at a neutral site or on trails, seek shelter consisting of four solid walls or a vehicle with a metal roof and closed windows.

Basic First Aid Procedures (for victims of a lightning strike)

  1. Survey the scene for safety. The athletic trainer or others in charge should consider their personal safety before entering a dangerous situation.
  2. Call 911 and alert an athletic trainer. 
  3. Carefully move the victim to a safe area, if necessary.