The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) has just released new heat stress guidelines mandating wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring, along with new heat safety rules for outdoor activities and practice. This blog breaks down the NMAA’s heat safety requirements and guides you through how WBGT monitoring can protect your athletes, and what you can do to comply with these new regulations.
What are the New Mexico Heat Stress Guidelines?
NMAA’s latest heat stress mandate helps minimize the risk of heat illness and ensures that athletes participate in safe practices. Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest NMAA heat stress guidelines:
Key Takeaways from NMAA Heat Stress Guidelines
- Prioritize WBGT Monitoring: Regular and accurate monitoring of WBGT is crucial for making informed decisions regarding practice and competition safety. The heat index can also be used as a metric in the absence of a wet bulb globe temperature monitoring device.
- Develop Comprehensive Heat Illness Prevention Plans: Creating and implementing a detailed heat illness prevention plan, including hydration, rest, and emergency procedures, is vital.
New Mexico (NMAA) Heat Stress Guidelines FAQs
At what temperature should activities be canceled?
Any outdoor practice is canceled when WBGT is above 92°F.
What is an unsafe heat index? What heat index is too hot for sports?
Any outdoor practice is canceled when the Heat Index is above 104°F degrees.
Why Choose WBGT over Heat Index?
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a much more in-depth metric that matches real-world conditions more closely than the heat index. The heat index fails to account for factors like sunlight, wind, and individual differences, making it a poor measure, especially for active individuals like athletes.
Learn more about WBGT and Heat Index here.
What can be done to protect students from extreme heat?
Training during extreme heat increases the risks of student-athletes suffering from heat-related illnesses like exertional heat stroke and dehydration. The New Mexico Activities Association’s latest heat stress mandate has been created to protect student-athletes from extreme heat.
The NMAA heat stress regulations include guidelines about using WBGT devices to monitor outdoor activities and practices in the clear. Schools are also expected to develop and enforce heat illness prevention plans, emergency action plans, and ensure proper hydration and rest.
What Is Mandated in the New NMAA Heat Stress Rules?
The New Mexico State High School Association’s heat stress mandate required NMAA-affiliated schools and athletic programs to implement on-site wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring and heat illness prevention plans based on WBGT readings.
The new bill proposes these regulations for all NMAA-affiliated schools in New Mexico, effective from the 2024-2025 school year:
- WBGT is Essential: New Mexico Schools must obtain a WBGT reading at practice and competition sites to assess heat conditions.
- Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) should be a school’s first choice when evaluating conditions and planning activities.
- In the absence of a WBGT device, a digital psychrometer or a weather app can be used to measure heat index.
- Rapid Cooling: Cold-water immersion tubs should be on-site for immediate cooling in case of heat emergencies. A cold-water immersion tub or other form of rapid on-site cooling should be available for all warm-weather practices.
- If exertional heat stroke is suspected, use immersion for on-site cooling before transporting to the hospital.
- Unrestricted Hydration: Athletes must have unrestricted access to water.
What Is The Impact of the New NMAA Heat Stress Mandate on Schools and Athletics?
Heat illness is the leading cause of preventable deaths among high school athletes. The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) is tackling this issue head-on with a new mandate designed to combat the dangers of heat stress.
These policies empower schools to prevent heat-related illnesses and ensure safety in hot weather. The focus is on staying hydrated, acclimatized, and adhering to essential safety protocols during high-temperature activities. Here’s how it impacts schools and NMAA athletics:
Enhanced Safety Protocols:
- Improved protection against heat-related illnesses through regulated monitoring and activity adjustments.
- Athletes benefit from a safer environment, reducing the risk of heat stress and related injuries.
- Schools and athletic programs must comply with the mandate, ensuring adherence to safety standards.
Improved Performance and Preparedness:
- Structured acclimatization periods help athletes adapt to hot conditions, potentially improving performance.
- Consistent monitoring ensures athletes can perform at their best while staying safe.
Overall, the NMAA heat stress mandate fosters a culture of safety, ensuring that schools prioritize the well-being of student-athletes during high-heat conditions.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature FAQs
How Can I Take A WBGT Reading?
A reading can be taken using a WBGT device like a weather station or handheld monitor. WBGT readings must be taken by an athletic director, administrator, or medical personnel every 20-30 minutes throughout the event. Adjust athletic activities based on these readings and inform coaching staff of any changes before and during practice.
When Should I Take A WBGT Reading?
Set up the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) device 15-20 minutes before the activity to allow it to acclimate. Monitor the WBGT throughout the event, taking readings every 20-30 minutes, and adjust athletic activities based on the results.
Why Is Heat Acclimatization Needed at the Start of the Season?
Heat acclimatization is crucial at the start of the season to prepare your body for intense workouts, prevent heat illnesses, and improve performance in hot conditions. Following state guidelines for your sport or activity is essential.
How is WBGT calculated and what factors influence it?
The formula for calculating WBGT is:
- Indoors or Shaded Areas: WBGT = 0.7 * Tnwb + 0.3 * Tg
- Direct Sunlight: WBGT = 0.7 * Tnwb + 0.2 * Tg + 0.1 * Tdb
Learn more about how to calculate wet bulb globe temperature here.
Which Category Does New Mexico Belong To?
New Mexico falls under Class 2 and 3. The WBGT monitoring policy guidelines change depending on the category the region belongs to.
How Can NMAA Schools Measure WBGT?
Measuring WBGT accurately is crucial to safeguard athletes from heat stress. While several options exist, each has its own pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of the most common WBGT monitoring methods:
Handheld WBGT Monitor (Kestrel)
Handheld WBGT monitors like Kestrels are designed to be durable and portable. These devices are convenient on-the-go and provide quick readings.
However, their small black bulb sensor size means that WBGT readings tend to be less accurate compared to professional weather stations. They also require frequent calibration and maintenance leading to higher ongoing costs.
Additionally, handheld monitors require frequent calibration, which can lead to higher ongoing costs. The manual nature of taking readings with handheld devices also increases the risk of human error.
Handheld devices also lack real-time tracking, custom alerts, historical data logging and integration with organizational policies, and they rely on WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which may not always be reliable outdoors.
Free Weather Apps and Websites
There are many free weather apps that claim to track the wet bulb globe temperature. However, their WBGT estimates are sourced using distant weather data from the nearest airport. This means their WBGT readings are not specific to your location, and might not be as accurate or specific as measurements taken on-site by a professional weather station, leading to unreliable heat stress estimates.
Free apps like WeatherBug often source weather data that is delayed by several minutes and isn’t hyperlocal, making it a risky and unreliable heat safety tool. Free weather apps also lack critical features like custom and automated alerts, historical data logging, WBGT forecasts, and support for custom policies and seamless organizational policy integration, necessitating manual tracking of policy risks.
Weather Stations (Perry Weather)
On-site weather stations offer accurate, real-time WBGT readings, along with other weather parameters like wind speed, wind chill, lightning data, precipitation, and more.
Weather stations are the ideal option for accurate, continuous, real-time on-site weather monitoring. However, not all weather stations are the same.
Perry Weather stations offer precise, automated WBGT readings, removing the risk of human error and the need for manual effort. Schools can set up custom alerts based on NMAA policy thresholds and access historical data to analyze WBGT trends. This helps in anticipating potential heat risks and adjusting practice schedules accordingly for safer athletic activities. With WBGT forecasts, schools can anticipate potential heat risks and adjust practice schedules as needed.
With Perry Weather, schools in New Mexico can comply with the new NMAA heat stress mandate and ensure the safety of student-athletes.
Conclusion
As heat-related risks in New Mexico escalate, the need for precise wet bulb globe temperature monitoring becomes paramount to protect student-athletes. The NMAA’s recent mandate underscores the importance of preventing heat illnesses. By diligently measuring WBGT levels and implementing heat safety protocols, schools can create a safer athletic environment. Investing in weather monitoring tools like Perry Weather helps schools protect their student-athletes from the dangers of extreme heat.
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