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Capital University

Capital Athletics

Severe Weather Policies

provided by Capital University Athletic Training Staff

Severe weather policies have been established in order to better prepare the Capital University Department of Athletics staff, student-athletes, game officials and spectators for the appropriate safety procedures involved with severe weather conditions. These policies have been established primarily to ensure the safety of participants at indoor and outdoor practices and competitions. Portions of this policy have been developed based on recommendations from the National Lightning Safety Institute and the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook.

The Severe Weather and Lightning Safety Policy will be monitored and enforced by the Athletic Training Staff and Athletic Administration.

If a severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for the Columbus area (or in the absence of a warning – the severe weather siren is activated), all activity (practice and/or competition) will be stopped immediately and all participants, game officials, athletics staff and spectators will be relocated according to the procedures outlined for each venue or to the nearest safest location.
 


Lightning Safety


Per the NCAA Lightning Safety Guideline (June 2014), the Capital University athletic training staff will monitor weather conditions prior to and during all outdoor team activities to help prevent lightning injury and fatality.  Monitoring will be conducted through a combination of local weather reports, the National Weather Service (NWS) alerts, observing for signs of developing thunderstorms, and lightning detection service.

Local Weather Reports
Current and forecasted weather reports can be accessed through radio, television, the NWS (www.weather.gov), the internet or mobile applications.

NWS Alerts
The NWS (www.weather.gov) will issue a thunderstorm "watch" will be issued if conditions are favorable in an area.  The NWS will issue a thunderstorm "warning" if severe weather has been reported in an area.  In the case of a warning, everyone should take proper precautions.  Watches and warnings are not issued for lightning.

Observations
Per the 2014 NCAA Lightning Safety Guideline, lightning awareness should be heightened at the first flash of lightning, clap of thunder, and/or other signs of an impending storm such as increasing winds or darkening skies, no matter how far away.  These types of activities should be treated as a warning or "wake-up" call to intercollegiate athletics personnel.  Lightning safety experts, such as the NWS, suggest that if you hear thunder, begin to prepare for evacuation; if you see lightning, consider suspending activities and head for your designated safer locations.

Lightning Detection Service
Lightning detection services will be used as available.  Real-time lightning detections services that have been independently and objectively verified are optimal.  However, in the absence of independently and objectively verified real-time services, non-objectively verified lightning detection service strike distance of 10 miles from outdoor activities in combination with observations, NWS alerts, and local weather reports will be used to make decisions for postponing outdoor activities.

Postpone Outdoor Activities
Per the Ohio Athletic Conference General Regulations, Article 13 (2015) states:
  • Prior to the start of a contest, decisions regarding whether a contest will begin rests with the host administration/game manager, in consultation with the participating athletics directors (or game administrators), coaches and athletic trainers.
     
  • Once a contest has begun, the decision to suspend and subsequently resume a contest is the responsibility of the game officials, in consultation with the participating athletics directors (or game administrators), coaches and athletic trainers.
     
  • Weather-related decisions involving Conference championship events will typically be made by the designated tournament committee.
     
  • Decisions of suspended contests will be made by the commissioner or competing athletic directors.  If still unresolved, the matter will go to the OAC Executive Committee.  (Adopted 11-16-03).

Safe Locations
The Ohio Athletic Conference General Regulations, Article 13 (2015) states the following evacuation procedures in the event of lightning:

  •  When lightning is seen or thunder is heard, participation shall cease. The game administrator along with the athletic director are responsible for clearing teams and fans from the area to seek a safe shelter. "If you see it, flee it. If you can hear it, clear it." 
     
  • A safe shelter is defined as any fully enclosed building normally occupied or frequently used by people, with plumbing and/or electrical wiring that acts to electrically ground the structure.  Avoid using showers, plumbing facilities, and electrical appliances, and stay away from open windows, and doorways during the storm.  (NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, 2014-2015.)  In absence of a safe shelter, any vehicle with a hard metal roof with windows shut provides a measure of safety.
     
  • Dugouts and other shelters that do not have four walls and are not electrically grounded may not serve as a "safe shelter" for players or coaches during lightning delays.
     
  • Avoid using a landline telephone, except in emergency situations.  A cellular phone is a safe alternative to landline phones.
    • Bernlohr Stadium: Seek shelter in the Capital Center.
    • Clowson Field: Seek shelter in Cleo Dumaree Athletic Complex (276 S. Nelson Rd.), Kroger (2000 E. Main St.), or the Capital Center (only if storm is approaching but not yet within the 10-mile area).
    • Multipurpose Grass Field:  Seek shelter in Harry C. Moores Student Union (north side of the field) (nearest) or the Capital Center (furthest).
    • Wolfe Park Tennis Courts: Seek shelter in the Wolfe Shelterhouse, (105 Park Dr.), St. Charles Preparatory Academy (2010 E. Broad St.), Cleo Dumaree Athletic Complex (276 S. Nelson Rd.), or the Capital Center (only if the storm is approaching but not yet within the 10-mile area).
Resume Outdoor Activities
To return to the athletic site for resumption of athletic activities, there must be 30 minutes that elapse after both the last sound of thunder and last flash of lightning, unless an all-clear message from the real-time lightning service has been received prior to the 30 minute waiting period elapsing which would indicate a minimum safe distance of 10 miles between the athletic venue and the trailing edge of the storm.


Tornado Safety

The Capital University athletic training staff will monitor weather conditions prior to and during all outdoor team activities to help prevent tornado injury and fatality.  Monitoring will be conducted through a combination of local weather reports, the National Weather Service (NWS) alerts, CapAlert, and observing for signs of developing inclement weather.

Local Weather Reports.  Current and forecasted weather reports can be accessed through radio, television, the NWS (www.weather.gov), the internet or mobile applications.

NWS Alerts.  The NWS Storm Prediction Center (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/) will issue a tornado "watch" for counties, which indicates: "Be Prepared!  Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area."  The NWS Local Forecast Office (www.weather.gov) will issue a tornado "warning" for smaller areas, which indicates: "Take Action!  A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.  There is imminent danger to life and property."  In the case of a warning, everyone should take proper precautions immediately. 

CapAlert.  CapAlert is a free service for all Capital University faculty, staff and students, used by the University in high-level emergencies.  Once a high level emergency is detected, a text message will be sent to all who have previously signed up for the service.  All Capital University athletic training staff members (full-time, contract, and part-time) will be registered for this service.

Observations.  In addition to NWS issued watches and warning, Capital University staff athletic trainers should stay alert for the following signs of impending tornadoes.  Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html):
  1. Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
  2. Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base -- tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
  3. Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
  4. Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.
  5. Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
  6. Night - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning -- especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.

Safe Locations. There is no such thing as guaranteed safety inside a tornado.  According to the NWS, most tornadoes are actually much weaker and are survivable using these safety ideas (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html):
  • Bernlohr Stadium: Do not panic.  Watch for others.  Move as quickly as possible into the Capital Center to the interior hall behind the Multipurpose Room.  If there is not enough time to get to the hallway, go to the storage rooms under the stadium, mudroom, equipment/laundry room, or locker rooms.
     
  • Capital Center: Follow the drill!  Go to the interior hall behind the Multipurpose Room in an orderly way.  Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms.  Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums.
     
  • Clowson Field: Do not panic.  If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building, such as the Cleo Dumaree Athletic Complex (276 S. Nelson Rd.) or Kroger (2000 E. Main St.), directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass and on the lowest floor possible. Then, crouch down and cover your head.  Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly.  Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
     
  • Multipurpose Grass Field:  Do not panic.  If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building, such as the Harry C. Moores Student Union (north side of the field), directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass and on the lowest floor possible. Then, crouch down and cover your head.  Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly.  Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
     
  • Wolfe Park Tennis Courts: Do not panic.  If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building, such as Wolfe Shelterhouse (105 Park Dr.), St. Charles Preparatory Academy (2010 E. Broad St.), or Cleo Dumaree Athletic Complex (276 S. Nelson Rd.), directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass and on the lowest floor possible. Then, crouch down and cover your head.  Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly.  Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
     
  • In a Vehicle: Vehicles are extremely risky in a tornado.  There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones.  If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.  Seek shelter in a sturdy building, or underground if possible.  If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes.  Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.  If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.  Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
     
  • Open Outdoors: If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building.  If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms.  Get as far away from trees and cars as you can; they may be blown onto you in a tornado.
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html
 
Resume Outdoor Activities. 
  • If a tornado occurs in the immediate area, wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Carefully render aid to those who are injured. Stay away from power lines and puddles with wires in them; they may still be carrying electricity! Watch your step to avoid broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects. Stay out of any heavily damaged houses or buildings; they could collapse at any time. Do not use matches or lighters, in case of leaking natural gas pipes or fuel tanks nearby. Remain calm and alert, and listen for information and instructions from emergency crews or local officials.
     
  • If a tornado does NOT occur in the immediate area, and no injuries or damage have occurred, outdoor activities can resume the local tornado warning has expired.
Emergency Care Protocols
In accordance with the NCAA (2014), NATA (2013), and National Lightning Safety Institute, people who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and can survive with immediate proper medical care. 

The NATA (2013) states that once rescuers and emergency personnel ensure their own safety, the following steps should be taken:
  1. Activate the emergency management system.
  2. Evaluate and treat patients in the following order:
    1. Move patient(s) carefully to a safer location if needed.
    2. Evaluate and treat for apnea (cessation of breathing) and absence of heartbeat (cardiac arrest).
    3. Assess level of consciousness.
    4. Evaluate and treat for the possibility of spinal injuries.
    5. Evaluate and treat for hypothermia.
    6. Apply an automated external defibrillator (AED), if available, on anyone who appears to be unconscious, pulseless, or apneic. However, other first-aid efforts and resuscitation should not be delayed while an AED is being located.
Seeking Shelter without Postponement of Activities
Per the NCAA (2014), no punishment or retribution should be applied to someone who chooses to evacuate if perceiving that his or her life is in danger due to severe weather.
 
Refusal to Seek Shelter
In the event that Capital University athletic training staff, administrators, or coaching staffs recommend postponing outdoor activities due to inclement weather and an administrator, game official, coach, team, or individual remains in an unsafe location, any subsequent injury occurring as a result is the liability of the individual(s) making that decision.
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