Abilene ISD implements new heat-related illness procedures in compliance with UIL rule change

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) — In the hot Texas summer, athletes practicing outside must be cautious about overheating, which can result in heat-related illnesses. Now, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) has new rules in place to combat heat-related illness on the field.

According to UIL, if the Wet Bulb Temperature, a measurement of heat that takes into account how it affects people, exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a cooling zone and emergency plan must be available at the practice or game facility.

A cooling zone could include a tent, fans, or cooling towels for student-athletes to quickly lower their body temperature. In case of emergency heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they must have an immersion tub or a set of materials to create the same environment as a tub.

Bill Abbe, Abilene High School’s outdoor athletic trainer, explained the TACO process they use involving a tarp.

“We put them in a tarp, and then there’s five of us around them. I stay with the head and make sure they’re talking. I have four coaches. We hold the tarp up. We actually poured cold water in it, which makes an immediate emergent tub out of it,” Abbe said.

Although the cooling zones and emergency plans are helpful, Abbe mentioned that water intake also plays an important role.

“It’s open water, so we try to get them as much water as possible. People don’t realize water is the most important thing to get them there and to get them acclimatized to the heat,” Abbe said.

The cooling zone will be active during the football season if weather permits.

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