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On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 a 14-year-old boy died while playing football in Clay County Florida. The Clay County Sheriff's office reported that the boy was attending start-of-the-season camp at Camp Blanding when he became ill on the field. The Coach, when calling 9-1-1, reported the emergency as a "heat injury".

This is a wake-up call to all of us. School is just beginning in Southwest Florida, with this comes football season. Even though the calendar says it is football season, the weather with humitures (humidity and temperature index) in the low 100's,  is not conducive to strenuous exercise, and exercise potentially done while wearing football attire.  This is the time, however, to review the signs of potential heat illnesses, and precautions needed to prevent tragedies like the one in Clay County.

There are three major types of heat illnesses, each one of which has its own symptoms and treatment: (Source: Safety Tips - Exercising in the Hot Weather).

Heat Cramps - This type of heat injury usually happens after strenuous exercise.  The symptoms of heat cramps are severe pain and cramps in the legs and abdomen, faintness or dizziness, weakness and profuse sweating.

Heat Exhaustion - This happens when an athlete is exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time.  The body becomes overwhelmed by heat when sweating does not occur.  Sweating keeps the body cool.  The symptoms of heat exhaustion are nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, weak pulse and disorientation.

Heat Stroke - Heat stroke strikes suddenly, with little warning.  When the body's cooling system fails, the body's temperature will rise quickly.  Heat stroke may be life-threatening.  The signs of heat stroke include very high body temperature, hot, dry skin, lack of sweating, fast pulse, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness.

The Athletic Trainers' Association  says that exertional heat illnesses (EHS) can be prevented and successfully treated if they are recognized and treated promptly.

The Athletic Trainers' Association recommends:

• Medical services be on site.
• Make sure that before participating physical examinations are completed which include specific questions such as fluid intake, weight changes during activity, medication and supplement use and a history of cramping/heat illnesses.
• Assure that medical staffs have the authority to alter the work/rest ratios, practice schedules, amounts of equipment and withdrawal of individuals from participation in sports based on the heat conditions and/or the athletes' medical conditions.

The signs and symptoms are:

• Dry mouth
• Thirst
• Being irritable or cranky
• Headache
• Seeming bored or disinterested
• Dizziness
• Cramps
• Excessive fatigue
• Not able to run as fast or play as well as usual

They recommend the following be done to treat an athlete who shows signs and symptoms as above:

• Move the athlete to a cool environment and rehydrate.
• Maintain normal hydration (as indicated by baseline body weight).
• Begin exercise sessions properly hydrated.  Any fluid deficits should be replaced within 1 to 2 hours after exercise is completed.
• Hydrate with a sports drink like Gatorade, which contains carbohydrates and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) before and during exercise to replace losses and provide energy.
• Hydrate throughout the sports practice to minimize dehydration and maximize performance.
• Seek medical attention to replace fluids via an intravenous line if athlete is nauseated or vomiting.

"Preventing and recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related stress and injury are the first steps in making the football, or any sport, season the safest," reminds Lee County Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 

Lee County Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.