Tulsa Under A Heat Alert Through Friday

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Triple-digit temperatures have returned to eastern Oklahoma.

On Monday, EMSA reports its paramedics provided care to two Tulsa area patients with signs of heat-related illness.

EMSA marketing vice president Tina Wells says both patients were adults and both did not suffer any serious injuries.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for eastern Oklahoma through Friday and a heat warning for Tulsa County, also through Friday.

With school scheduled to start later this month, students are starting to participate in athletic events.

Wells says most summers, EMSA paramedics provide care to a handful of children sickened after participating in football conditioning or other athletic events.

Parents and coaches are urged to take steps to help their little athletes avoid becoming ill, including:

• Let players become acclimated to the heat. Having players practice initially without pads and helmets is preferred.
• Avoid two-a-day sessions until at least the seconds week of practice. If holding two-a-days, give players several hours between sessions to rest and rehydrate.
• Schedule regular water and rest breaks during conditioning. Water should be provided every 30 minutes, and more frequently as heat and humidity rise.
• Bar children suffering from fevers or gastrointestinal illnesses from participating in practice sessions or games.
• Dress players in light-colored shirts/jerseys and shorts/practice pants.
• Allow players to remove helmets during instruction/when not engaged in tackling or other contact activity.
• Watch children closely for signs of heat illness, including dramatic change in skin tone (very pale or bright red skin), headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Players who have symptoms should stop exercising immediately and get into a cool (ideally, air-conditioned) environment. Helmets and pads should be removed, and the player should sip (not gulp) small amounts of cool water. If the symptoms don't subside quickly, call the player's/team physician or 911 for further care.
• Encourage players to drink extra water in the hours and days leading up to practice sessions and games. Sugary and caffeinated beverages should be avoided.

Click here for more tips on dealing with the extreme heat.