Heat and Marching Band
The Signs You Need To See
Marching band season is upon us. Keeping our students healthy as we work hard outside in the heat of the summer and early fall is a goal that all marching band directors should share. Heat index and temperature rules/guidelines should be followed at all times. No performance or competition is worth the potential ramifications of heat injury. Here are some things to be aware of as we head outside into the heat.
4 Stages of Heat Injury
Stage 1 - Dehydration
Symptoms
•Dry mouth (Cotton-mouth)
•Headache
•Dizziness
•Confusion
How to avoid Dehydration
•Best way to avoid dehydration is to take frequent (every 15 minutes), short water breaks
•Have band members march with their water bottle. Makes a great drill marker.
•Drink water regularly. Take water breaks when you are rehearsing inside to ensure band members are continuing to stay hydrated even inside.
Stage 2 - Heat Cramps
Symptoms
•Usually hamstrings or the back of calves
•Most of the time, this is not a mineral imbalance (lack of salt)
•Dehydration is the cause
What To Do
•Get band member to the shade and have them drink water. If water doesn’t help, try an electrolyte type drink (like Gatorade).
•Rest – rejoin the group when properly hydrated and cooled down.
Stage 3 - Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
•Paleness
•Dizziness
•Nausea
What To Do
•Get band member to the shade or inside if you’re able.
•Cool, wet compress on the back of the neck.
•Drink water. If the nausea is bad, sip water, don’t chug.
Stage 4 - Heat Stroke
Symptoms
•Warm, dry, flushed skin
•Not sweating even in the heat
•Rapid heartbeat
•Shallow breaths
•Loss of body control (suddenly becomes uncoordinated)
•Communication becomes erratic
•Seizure
•Faints
What To Do
•If the student has become unconscious, call 911. At this stage, their internal organs are shutting down.
•Put band member in the shade (if conscious, take inside)
•Fan and spray with water
•Ice packs or ice on circulation points
–Armpits
–Groin
–Neck
–Back
Things To Keep In Mind
•Water breaks every 15 minutes
•Don’t allow your band to leave the building without water bottles
•Encourage appropriate heat attire – hats, shorts, sunscreen
•Go over the signs and symptoms of heat injury with your leadership team. The more eyes watching for potential problems, the better.
•Take care of yourself as well
•Take water breaks inside during music rehearsals to stay hydrated
•Avoid caffeine - Drink water
•Temperature on artificial turf is considerably higher than air temp. Be aware of how hot it is on field level.
Keep your students heat safe this season. Have a secondary uniform ready to go underneath the regular marching uniform. No one, in their right mind, would care if the marching band performed a parade or competition in a t-shirt and shorts. Have the secondary be apart of their primary uniform. Every student wears the same t-shirt and shorts underneath the bibs, ready to go just in case. Be smart. Be safe.
Steph Williamson
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