School sports practices proceed cautiously during intense heat

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — With the heat index expected in the triple digits this week, some schools have taken precautions to close and others to dismiss early.

After school practice for some school sports will cautiously continue. At Centerville High School, practice times and drills are being shortened due to the heat. Cooling measures and changes in gear and uniforms are also being prioritized.

Coaches and trainers are closely monitoring athletes’ conditions. Officials say the intensity will be decreased, and water breaks will be increased.

This week’s theme for Centerville Athletics is don’t dehydrate but overhydrate instead. They will be closely monitoring OHSAA guidelines and whether it’s safe to continue practice.

“If those readings get to that point where there’s no choice, then we will be shutting things down. But again, we try to to wait and make those determinations, you know, closer to when we’re actually going to practice and not try to guess,” said Rob Demet, Centerville City Schools athletic director.

Local officials urge everyone to know the signs of heat illness as the Miami Valley endures extreme temperatures.

Heat exhaustion can present itself in multiple ways if left untreated. It can even escalate to a heat stroke which can be deadly. Authorities say to avoid becoming sick, follow the proper steps.

“Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness. And particularly if someone starts to act not their normal self. If someone has an alteration in their level of consciousness, that’s really a trigger point for being concerned,” said Brad French, Dayton fire chief. “Simply stay inside, stay inside in the air conditioning. If you do have to be outside, be in the shade as much as you possibly can.”

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