AYSA Safety Corner

Lightning
Safety

According to many safety organizations, including the National Lightning Safety Institute, the 30/30 rule should be applied when dealing with lightning.   It simply says that if the time between the visual sighting of a lightning strike and the sound of thunder is less than 30 seconds, cover needs to be found immediately.   The second “30” refers to the amount of time (in minutes) that you must wait until after the last thunder is heard before you return outside.

Statistics for lightning injuries and deaths are shocking.   According to US Youth Soccer, over 400 children are struck by lightning each year, with nearly 80 deaths occurring and many more with permanent disabilities.   The National Lightning Safety Institute reports that lightning deaths rate #2 in weather related deaths each year behind floods, ahead of tornados and hurricanes.  Many many more sustain serious permanent neurological injuries.

Coaches, parents, players and all associated youth sports need to become informed about the dangers of lightning, what to do when it occurs, how to protect themselves, and what to do in an emergency when someone is struck by lightning.

Be informed and be safe.

Go to the links below for more detailed information:

National Lightning Safety Institute   http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/hazardwarning.html
US Youth Soccer   http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/story.asp?story_id=622
National Athletic Trainers Association Lightning Policy http://www.aahperd.org/NASPE/pdf_files/pos_papers/guidelines_lightning.pdf
National Weather Service Lightning Safety  http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

Heat_Hydration_Guidelines.pdf

Falling goal post kills boy, 8, at YMCA by Claudia Koerner -  May. 2, 2008 02:24 PM   The Arizona Republic

An 8-year-old boy died after being hit with a falling goal post during his soccer game Thursday.

Gabriel Mendoza was playing goalie at the South Mountain YMCA near Central Avenue and Baseline Road around 6 p.m. when he was hit. Phoenix police said he was playing on the crossbar of the soccer goal, which then fell on him. He was at the soccer game with his grandmother, a YMCA spokeswoman said.

Phoenix Fire Department responded and transported him in critical condition to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, where he died.

The YMCA is still interviewing its staff and witnesses to determine what exactly happened, a YMCA spokeswoman said.

Phoenix police is conducting an accidental death investigation.
Subject: MSNBC.com Article: Boy, 10, dies when soccer goal crashes onto him
Boy, 10, dies when soccer goal crashes onto him
A young soccer player died during a scrimmage Monday evening in Winchester, Va. Investigators said 10-year-old Hayden Barnes Ellias was playing goalkeeper for the Winchester United under-11 team. They said he was positioned in the goal on a Millbrook High School soccer field. Coaches said action was taking place on the other side of the field when they heard a loud crash.
http://www.kwikgoal.com/docs/GOAL_SAFETY_BOOKLET_new.pdf   http://www.kwikgoal.com/safetyfirst