We all know weather can get a little crazy here in Utah. Be sure to know how to best monitor the air quality, be ready for a plan of action when it comes to lightning, and what steps need to be taken to provide safety for everyone!
Air Quality Protocol
UYSA is committed to providing a safe environment for all of our players, coaches as well as referees at games and practices. There are many different news and reporting sites that report on our Air Quality.
UYSA will be monitoring the air quality across Utah. You can check the current air quality at http://air.utah.gov.
If the location where the game is scheduled to be played is in the red zone UYSA will allow a game to be rescheduled. Coaches will need to call into the UYSA Offices to request this type of reschedule prior to the game. We recognize that yellow is unhealthy for sensitive groups and would encourage coaches to communicate with their players and parents for a decision for the individual players on your team.
Severe Weather Best Practices
Modern applications can provide early and frequent warnings about severe weather situations. The WeatherBug app available for download on both Google Play and the iTunes App store for free sets the standard for severe weather tracking. Additionally some stadium operators, park districts, and school districts have acquired and installed advanced technology that can aid the in making decisions about weather conditions. If there is any indication that severe weather may occur, check with the appropriate authorities (field or park manager, athletic director, stadium operations personnel, city or county parks or education departments, etc.) for the latest information before making any decisions. Utilize WeatherBug during any weather-related interruption, as the latest technology may allow you to restart earlier than indicated after a stoppage. Experts agree that people should wait at least 30 minutes after the last event before resuming activities.
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Lightning
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Recognizing the threat
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Lightning can travel 10 miles
Powered by the world’s largest lightning network, WeatherBug’s exclusive Spark tool delivers personalized minute-by-minute, mile-by-mile lightning strike information so players can stay safer. Spark uses real-time lightning strike information from WeatherBug and your device’s GPS location to provide warnings for lightning danger near you at that moment.If lightning is within 10 miles, seek appropriate shelter.
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If not app is available, apply the 30-30 rule
When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.
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Know and heed warning systems and community rules
Many communities or park systems have lightning detection and warning systems. Use this information and obey the rules established by the community or park system.
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Minimize the risk of being struck
Protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant. Remember, if you can hear the thunder, you are within reach of lightning.
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Seeking proper shelter
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No place outside is safe near thunderstorms
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The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially constructed building. A vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice.
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If there is no proper shelter, avoid the most dangerous locations: Higher elevations; wide open areas, including fields; tall isolated objects, such as trees, poles, or light posts; unprotected open buildings; rain shelters; bus stops; metal fences and metal bleachers.
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If you cannot avoid these locations, crouch down on the balls of your feet, with your head tucked into your chest and your hands over your ears.
If someone is hit, remember that all deaths from lightning result from cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, respectively, are the recommended first aid. Referees should become involved in such assistance only if they have proper training.
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Remain calm. A calm official will often be able to prevent panic by young players.
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Other types of severe weather
For all other types of severe storms, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail, obey local rules and heed warnings. Clear the field and seek proper shelter immediately – see above. Remember, according to standard weather warning terminology a "warning" represents a more immediately likely occurrence than a "watch."
NO SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY, BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASUALTIES.
If there is a possibility of severe weather, the referee and assistant referees should discuss these guidelines in their pregame meeting and ensure that all team officials have a clear understanding of their respective duties. Referees in particular should clearly identify what assistance they expect in detecting and bringing to their immediate attention any dangerous weather conditions which may not be directly visible to them. If such conditions develop only after a match has begun, the referee should take the first stoppage opportunity to quickly review these matters with the assistant referees. A brief word to the coaches regarding steps the referee will take to ensure player safety in threatening weather conditions would be useful.
Please send in all weather related reschedules to scheduler@utahyouthsoccer.net.
Additional Resources