Forest Park High School Athletic Training
Treatment Protocol and Prince William County Guidelines
VHSL Heat Illness Guidelines
Prince William County Cold Weather Guidelines
In general students should not go outside if the temperature is below 35 degrees
Prince William County Outdoor Weather Guidelines
Lightning Practice and Game Guidelines
Lightning, Practice and Game Guidelines Fields should be cleared: When you hear thunder or see lightning, all participants should seek the closest safe structure immediately.
The closest "safe structure":
1. A safe structure is any sturdy building that has plumbing and electrical wiring, which is normally occupied or frequently used by people. This will act to electrically ground the structure. However, do not use bathroom facilities for safe shelter and do not use showers or plumbing facilities during a thunderstorm.
2. An alternative is a car with a metal roof. Dugouts, Press boxes, storage sheds, and standing under the bleachers are not safe structures and should not be occupied during thunderstorms.
If it is impossible to reach a "safe structure”: If you feel the hair on your head or neck tingle or lightning occurs without warning:
1. Crouch on the balls of your feet with your head lowered.
2. Do not lie down.
3. Be farther than 50 yards from a tall object since the lightning flash will search up to 50 yards for a ground strike.
You may resume practice / game: All personnel involved will wait at least 30 minutes after all lightning and thunder activity has stopped before resuming activity.
Mother Nature's power, beauty, and danger in a thrilling flash.
Lightning's power and erratic nature fascinates and surprises us. Unfortunately, lightning surprises too many people, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries and million of dollars in damage every year. LightningBug helps you avoid being surprised by lightning.
Aren't my eyes and ears good enough?
Not usually. Lightning safety experts recommend that you seek safety when lightning is 6 miles away. But, on average, most people see lightning and hear thunder when it's only 2 or 3 miles away and already too close to be safe outdoors! Many things, like trees, hills, and buildings, can obstruct your ability to see lightning. Also, distractions and background noise from TVs, radios, and cars limit your ability to hear thunder.
Understanding Virginia's Athletic Training Law
What Happens When The Athlete Is Injured?
All injured athletes should see their ATC as soon as they can to get an accurate assessment of the injury. The ATC will then give the athlete instructions on how to properly care for the injury. The ATC will also let the athlete, coach and parents know at this time the extent of the injury and when the athlete will be able to return to play.
What Happens Before An Athlete Can Return To Play?
According to Prince William County Policy: All athletes are responsible for furnishing a doctors note in order to return to play after seeing a physician. In the event the attending physician determines that an injured athlete is in suitable condition to resume participation in athletics, the athlete shall be reevaluated by the certified athletic trainer(ATC) prior to resumption of activity. If it is the judgment of the ATC that the student athlete is not in suitable physical condition to resume full participation, a restricted participation schedule will be formulated by the ATC to allow for additional recovery/healing, and progressive return to full participation.
In the event there is a disagreement with the judgment of the ATC after the reevaluation, the student athlete will not participate beyond the ATC's recommendations until appropriate communication can be established between the Team Physician, ATC and attending physician, and an agreement between the treating physician and the Sports Medicine Team is made.
Doctors notes received the day of a contest, with the ATC approval, will clear the athlete to participate in the next practice. The athlete must return to participation in a full practice setting before playing in a game.
Important Documents for Casted Football and Soccer Players
The following forms should be taken to the physician at the time of the fracture if at all possible. You can also have the physician fill the form out after he/she states that the athlete my play with a cast. Return the form to your ATC, so copies can be made as the form must be shown to the official prior to the start of each game.
Football Cast Release
Soccer Cast Release
Other imprtant information regarding Athletic Guidelines can be found on the VHSL website at http://www.vhsl.org/medicine.htm
Revised April 2007 VHSL Physical Form (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) • It is a rapidly progressing bacteria that attacks the soft tissue area of the skin and can become systemic by entering the blood stream which endangers joints and vital organs
You MUST have the Physical COMPLETELY filled out in order to try out for a 2008-09 sport.
ALL Blanks MUST be filled and have appropriate signatures.
You are also required to have an Emergency Card the first day of tryouts.
What is MRSA?
• Strains of Staph bacteria that have developed a resistance to the mostcommon antibiotics used for treatment (the methicillin family).
MRSA Checklist
MRSA Quick Facts
Helping Athletes Survive Two-a-Day Practices
Are you properly hydrated? Check the urine chart below as a reference.
Urine Color Chart
