SMHC 
SMHC Health and Safety Policies
PLAYER SAFETY IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY
Youth Sports Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Information Sheet
Part I: Important Information & Safety Disclosures
Concussions: A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth.
Signs & Symptoms: Dazed look, confusion, headache, nausea, balance issues, dizziness, or memory loss.
Potential Consequences: Untreated concussions can cause permanent brain damage or death.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): SCA occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, and is the leading cause of death in young athletes.
Signs & Symptoms: Fainting/passing out (especially during or immediately after exercise: #1 warning sign), unexplained shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, or racing/irregular heartbeats.
Cardiac Emergency Response: If a cardiac emergency is suspected, bystanders must immediately: (1) Call 911, (2) Perform hands-only CPR, and (3) Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available.
Part II: Removal & Return-to-Play/Participation Policy
Immediate Removal: Any athlete suspected of concussion or who faints/passes out during athletic activity must be immediately removed from play and may not return to play on the same day.
Medical Clearance: Athletes removed from play under these policies may not return to play until evaluated and granted explicit written clearance to return by a licensed healthcare provider trained in a relevant field.
Mandatory 7-Day Concussion Protocol: Any athlete diagnosed with a concussion must complete a minimum 7-day graduated return-to-play protocol supervised by a licensed healthcare provider.
Heat Safety & Heat Acclimatization Protocol
PLAYER SAFETY IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY
South Florida heat and humidity can create dangerous conditions. Southernmost Hockey Club will monitor the Heat Index, temperature, humidity, and weather conditions before and during all outdoor practices, clinics, and games.
Southernmost coaches will closely monitor all players throughout every activity, regardless of the Heat Index, for any signs or symptoms of heat-related illness. Player safety always comes first.
Southernmost Hockey Club reserves the right to modify, postpone, relocate, or cancel any practice, clinic, or game whenever environmental conditions pose an unacceptable risk to participants.
Player Responsibilities
Arrive well hydrated and begin hydrating the day before activity.
Bring a full water bottle or electrolyte drink.
Wear light-colored, breathable clothing when possible.
Take all scheduled water and recovery breaks.
Immediately report dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, unusual fatigue, or feeling unwell.
Never attempt to "play through" symptoms of heat illness.
Heat Acclimatization
At the beginning of each season, or following an extended period away from outdoor training, players should gradually adapt to exercising in hot and humid conditions.
During the first 10-14 days of heat exposure, coaches will gradually increase activity duration and intensity while providing frequent hydration and recovery breaks.
Days 1-5
Light to moderate intensity
Frequent water breaks
Limited conditioning
Additional recovery periods as needed
Coaches closely monitor all players
Days 6-14
Gradually increase practice intensity and duration
Continue frequent hydration and recovery breaks
Adjust activity based on weather conditions and player response
Immediately reduce or stop activity for any player showing signs of heat stress
Heat Index Action Plan
Heat Index | Risk Level | Southernmost Hockey Club Action |
Below 90°F | Low | Normal practices and games. Unlimited water available. Coaches continuously monitor players. |
90-94°F | Moderate | Mandatory water breaks every 20 minutes. Coaches closely monitor all players. |
95-99°F | High | Water breaks every 15-20 minutes. Reduce high-intensity drills, shorten practice if necessary, and increase player substitutions. |
100-104°F | Very High | Water breaks every 10-15 minutes. Shortened practices only. No conditioning drills. Cooling towels, shade, and extended recovery breaks encouraged. |
105°F or Higher | Extreme | Outdoor practices and games will be postponed, rescheduled, moved indoors when available, or canceled until conditions improve. |
Important: The Heat Index is one factor in determining safe activity. Coaches may modify, shorten, delay, relocate, or cancel activity at any temperature when weather conditions or player health indicate that conditions are unsafe.
Know the Signs of Heat Illness
STOP PLAY IMMEDIATELY AND NOTIFY A COACH
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Excessive fatigue or weakness
Confusion
Fainting
Emergency Response
If a player becomes confused, collapses, loses consciousness, has a seizure, or is suspected of having heat stroke:
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
Move the player to a cool or shaded area.
Begin rapid cooling with cold water, ice, or cold towels.
Continue cooling while awaiting Emergency Medical Services.
Do not delay emergency medical care.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Research-Based Heat Safety
Southernmost Hockey Club's heat safety and acclimatization practices are based on heat-related illness prevention research and guidance from recognized health and sports-safety organizations. The protocol incorporates recommendations regarding gradual heat acclimatization, hydration, frequent breaks, environmental monitoring, and immediate response to signs of heat illness.
Additional Resources
Johns Hopkins Medicine - Heat-Related Illness: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/heatrelated-illness
USA Hockey - Player Safety & Health: https://www.usahockey.com/playersafety
WHEN IN DOUBT, WE WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE SAFETY OVER PLAY.
Heat Safety Quick Reference
Player safety is our highest priority. South Florida heat and humidity can create dangerous conditions. Southernmost Hockey Club monitors the Heat Index (temperature + humidity) before and during all outdoor practices and games.
Player Responsibilities
Arrive well hydrated (begin hydrating the day before).
Bring a full water bottle or electrolyte drink.
Wear light-colored, breathable clothing when possible.
Report any signs of heat illness immediately.
Never ignore dizziness, cramps, or nausea.
USA Hockey Heat Acclimatization
At the beginning of each season, or after 7 or more days away from training, players should gradually adapt to exercising in the heat.
Days 1-5
Light to moderate intensity
Frequent water breaks
Coaches monitor players closely
Conditioning is limited
Days 6-14
Gradually increase practice intensity and duration as players adjust to the heat.
Players showing signs of heat stress will have activity reduced or stopped immediately.