Stay safe playing sports in sweltering heat

Summertime is often a golden opportunity for families to bond over their love of sports. Many Saturdays are spent at the ballfield as youngsters hit the diamond and parents cheer on their loved ones.

Last weekend proved that it isn't always fun and games.

Perfect Game rented Patriot Park during the weekend to host one of its tournaments. Amid a heatwave, tragedy struck, as umpire Mitchell Huggins collapsed amid the rising temperatures and passed away at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital on Saturday. The rising temperatures were compounded by the turf field - as studies have shown synthetic turf can be 40 to 70 degrees hotter than surrounding air temperatures on warm, sunny days.

Sumter County Recreation and Parks Department was not in charge of the tournament but noted it has multiple air-conditioned areas on site for anyone experiencing excessive heat. Dugouts also have fans to help combat the rising temperatures.

Joe Perry, the communications coordinator for Sumter County Government, said in a statement, "We are aware of an unfortunate incident at Patriot Park during a recent softball tournament and we would ask everyone to pray for the family of Mitch Huggins. At some point on Saturday during a tournament hosted by an organization that was renting Patriot Park, Mr. Huggins apparently fell ill, 911 was called and he was transported to the hospital. We will keep the family of Mr. Huggins in our prayers."

As temperatures continue to rise amid a national heat wave, it's important for parents and athletes to be aware of the risks of playing sports in these conditions. Sumter High athletic trainer Rick Sigler has teamed up with The Item to share some tips and tricks for recognizing when someone is at risk of a heat stroke and how to cool down an overheated individual.

BEFORE HITTING THE FIELD

When the Sumter High football team is in action during the summer, Sigler and fellow athletic trainer Melissa Smith are keeping a close eye on all of the athletes. The South Carolina High School League has strict rules in place regarding the temperature and outdoor practices, and the same can be said for the South Carolina Independent School Association. Before practice, they must measure the wet bulb temperature, which is the lowest temperature that can be reached under the ambient weather conditions by the evaporation of water only, simulating sweaty skin. If the wet bulb thermometer reads higher than 92.0 degrees, the team cannot practice outside per SCHSL and SCISA rules.

At Sumter High, Sigler was pleased to learn that he didn't need to hassle coaches too much about the heat. Head football coach Mark Barnes is vigilant during the summer and stresses the important talking points to his athletes.

"Coach Barnes does a pretty good job of saying stuff before I do, and the assistant coaches follow suit," Sigler said. "I think that resonates quite a bit. We have a lot of youth out there now, a lot of ninth-graders, so they really try to push that."

Hydration is key, of course, but Sigler said it's important to pay attention to the temperature of the water being consumed. Some water bottles won't maintain cold temperatures. The Gamecocks always have cold water on hand to make sure everyone has the best chance to stay cool.

It's also important to eat before practice. Your body burns calories while exercising, and if athletes hit the field on an empty stomach, the body is working overtime in extreme conditions. Sigler and Smith always keep snacks on hand for that reason.

"It takes energy to cool down and regulate yourself," Sigler said. "That's why I pack extra snacks; little granola bars, things people aren't allergic to. It's pickles, snacks like that, things that fill in the gaps for those kids."

Pickles and pickle juice are a classic remedy for cramps and overheating for the same reason people turn to drinks like Gatorade and Powerade: electrolytes. Those items contain sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which all help the body regulate itself in more extreme conditions.

Sigler also recommends having a change of clothes and a towel ready to go to help wick away sweat. Having food and drinks that can provide those electrolytes ready to go is important. Athletes should also be aware of the surface they're playing on. The playing surface is one factor, but so is the surrounding area. Playing a game in Memorial Stadium is different than practice on the grass fields behind the school. Athletes need to plan for the setting they will play in.

"Just prepare ahead of time," he said. "On top of (the playing surface), if you look at football fields, a lot of time they're surrounded by benches and trees, so there's really no wind there and the heat has no chance to dissipate. Turf fields are great, they have their value, but when it comes to heat, it doesn't make it any cooler."

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

If the temperature is safe, the Gamecocks hit the practice field with trainers on site and ready to assist. After a year at the school, Sigler has a better idea of the personalities of the athletes, which is actually a huge benefit in the extreme heat.

"I look for changes in behavior. I sit there and scan. And are other kids complaining about somebody slacking? It's paying attention to a lot of human behavior," Sigler said. "I listen to them first. A lot of the time, people will complain about being overly hot. If it's an adult, that really piques my interest.

"It's just paying attention to what people say and how they act. Are they lethargic? Drained of their energy? Changing color? Did they cramp? Were they sweating and the sweating mechanism shut off and they're suddenly not sweating anymore, but they're still super hot? I watch sweating rates, too."

Lightheadedness is a common early symptom. On the football field, that can be one of two things: heat or a head injury. Food and water help answer that question.

"Heat will mimic a concussion; it's a lot of similar issues," Sigler said. "If they're drinking something and eating something and the symptoms go away, it's not a concussion; they need fuel."

Other symptoms include muscle cramping or weakness, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea.

Extreme heat will also exacerbate any underlying heath conditions, so anyone with heart conditions, diabetes or anything similar needs to be hyper-vigilant.

"Health issues can play a factor in something like that," Sigler said. "It can make any underlying health conditions worse quickly. It affects the way your body functions; it's not just the heat."

HOW TO COOL DOWN QUICKLY

There are several great ways to cool down someone who is overheating. Air conditioning is an excellent first step when available. Sigler has even used his truck to blast AC for an overheated student-athlete. SCHSL also requires cold immersion tubs or another effective cooling device. Sumter High has two on site ready to go if need be. If AC isn't quickly available, get to the shade and remove layers of clothing.

Different athletes need varying responses to heat. Sigler uses alternate responses for athletes who sweat excessively compared to those who don't sweat as much.

"It's good to have towels to take that sweat off their body versus just dumping cold water on them. I use more dry towels on really sweaty people because you regulate the temperature better that way," Sigler said. "People that don't sweat that much benefit from wet towels."

It's also critical to start with the core. Ice packs on the chest and back of the neck will help cool the body the quickest.

"If I had nothing but ice bags, I place them on the chest, on the back of the neck, armpits, places that will cool down the core as much as possible and protect the brain," Sigler said.

In extreme conditions, don't be afraid to call 911 for an ambulance. An IV drip is among the most efficient ways to quickly cool down the body.

"If they're not responding very well or they're not feeling any better, just call an ambulance," Sigler said. "Just get them en route so the process can get started."