When the Heat Index meets or exceeds 70°F it is recommended that all schools provide at any practice or event, a method for rapidly cooling athletes experiencing heat illness.  Approved methods include ice water immersion or tarp assisted cooling with oscillation (TACO).
 
Schools shall monitor the heat index for their geographic area prior to practices. Outlined below are the steps that each member school shall take in order to implement this policy.
 
NOTE: This policy applies to all WIAA sanctioned sports and activities in all seasons. Indoor activities where air conditioning is available are not bound by this policy.

1. Designate: Schools shall designate someone who will take the necessary steps to determine and record the heat index for your geographic area within one hour of the start of each team's practice and events. This is only necessary on days when the forecasted heat index is 85°F or higher. Depending on practice and event schedules, it is possible that the designated person will have to record the Heat Index multiple times on the same day.
     
2. Calculate: Within one hour of each team's practice on days when the forecasted heat index is 85°F or higher, the designated person shall utilize the WIAA Heat Index Calculator to determine the actual heat index.
    
3. Record: If the actual heat index is 85°F or higher, the designated person shall record it using the WIAA Heat Index Record or by printing out a copy to be kept at the school for inspection at the request of the WIAA. A separate record shall be kept for each sport at each level. Practice modification, as necessary, shall also be recorded. If the actual heat index is less than 85°F, no action is needed.
    
4. Act: If the actual heat index is 95°F or higher, activity should be altered and/or eliminated using the following guidelines:

	WIAA Recommendation: Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
	WIAA Recommendation: Postpone practice to later in the day. Maximum of 4 hours of practice per day. Practice length a maximum of 2 hours, one practice shall be during a time of day with a lower heat index. Mandatory 3-hour recovery period between practices. Alter uniform by removing items if possible - allow for changes to dry t-shirts and shorts. Contact sports and activities with additional equipment – players are restricted to helmets, shoulder pads and shorts during practice.  Other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. Reduce time of planned outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning is unavailable. Provide unlimited amounts of water. Water shall always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Watch/monitor athletes for necessary action.
	WIAA Recommendation: Consider postponing practice to later in the day. Maximum of 4 hours of practice per day. Practice length a maximum of 2 hours. Mandatory 3-hour recovery period between practices. Contact sports and activities with additional equipment - helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. Provide unlimited amounts of water. Water shall always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Watch/monitor athletes for necessary action.
	Maximum of 5 hours of practice per day in divided sessions. Provide unlimited amounts of water. Water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Watch/monitor athletes for necessary action.
	Maximum of 5 hours of practice per day in divided sessions. Provide unlimited amounts of water. Water shall always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.