(a)
An appropriate number of AEDs on campus relative to athletic facilities
(b)
An AED maintenance program
2.3.10 Guidelines on Handling Practices and Contests During Lightning or Thunder Disturbances: These
guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible for sharing duties for making decisions concerning the
suspen- sion and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder. The preferred
sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include the NCHSAA and the nearest office of
the National Weather Service.
(a)
Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
(b)
Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safer areas and deter-
mine the amount of time needed to get everyone to a designated safer area.
NOTE: A designated safer place is a substantial building with plumbing and wiring where people live or
work, such as a school, gymnasium or library. An alternate safer place from the threat of lightning is a fully
enclosed (not convertible or soft top) metal car or school bus.
(c)
Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
(1)
When thunder is heard or lightning is seen*, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close
enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for at least 30 minutes and va-
cate the outdoor activity to the previously designated safer location immediately.
(2)
30-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thun-
der is heard or lightning is witnessed* prior to resuming play.
(3)
Any subsequent thunder or lightning* after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset
the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
(4)
When lightning-detection devices or mobile phone apps are available, this technology could
be used to assist in making a decision to suspend play if a lightning strike is noted to be
within 10 miles of the event location. However, you should never depend on the reliability of
these devices and, thus, hearing thunder or seeing lightning* should always take precedence
over information from a mobile app or lightning detection device.
*At night, under certain atmospheric conditions, lightning flashes may be seen from distant
storms. In these cases, it may be safe to continue an event. If no thunder can be heard and
the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a threat. Independently verified
lightning detection information would help eliminate any uncertainty.
(d)
Review the lightning safety policy annually with all administrators, coaches, and game personnel
and train all personnel.
(e)
Inform student-athletes and their parents of the lightning policy at the start of the season.
2.3.11 Tobacco Products, Alcoholic Beverages, and Controlled Substances - The NCHSAA emphatically oppos
es the use of tobacco (including e-cigarettes/vapor cigarettes), alcohol and other drugs by student-athletes, coach-
es (including volunteer coaches) and officials.
(a)
Participants, coaches and other team representatives and officials, including chain crew, official
scorers and timers, should not use any tobacco product, alcoholic beverage or controlled substance
at a game site; violation of the policy will result in ejection from the contest.
(b)
Member schools are encouraged to make all school property, vehicles including charter buses used
by participants, and particularly game sites, tobacco-free and alcohol-free zones. They are also en-
couraged to cooperate fully with police agencies in the enforcement of the criminal laws prohibiting
the sale or use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and controlled substances to minors.
(c)
In order to minimize health and safety risks to North Carolina’s student-athletes, maintain ethical
standards as well as reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never knowingly
supply, recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for perfor-
mance enhancing purposes.
2.3.12 Performance Enhancing Substances - The NCHSAA supports and endorses the stance of the NFHS in
terms of performance-enhancing substances: - “In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes,
maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never supply, recom
mend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.”
2.3.13 Infectious Disease Policy - The NCHSAA has adopted the NFHS Guidelines in an effort to minimize the
possibility of transmission of any infectious disease during a high school athletic practice or contest. Each school is
strongly encouraged to develop its own action plan for the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases.
(a)
Communicable Disease and Skin Infection Procedures
While the risk for blood-borne infectious diseases, such as HIV/Hepatitis B, remains low in sports,
proper precautions are needed to reduce the risk of spreading diseases. Along with these issues are
skin infections that occur due to skin contact with competitors and equipment.
(b)
Universal Hygiene Protocol for All Sports
(1)
Shower immediately after all competition and practice
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