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The safety of players, coaches, management
and spectators is the primary concern in any
weather event that occurs during all matches
sanctioned by the CSA.
By understanding and following the
information below, the safety of everyone
shall be greatly increased. Ultimately the
referee has the final say over delaying or
restarting a match due to weather. Waiting
to stop play or not waiting to start play
may result in a serious injury or loss of
life. Referees are expected to act
responsibly when dealing with such events
during matches they are controlling
When lightning is detected, you can
determine the distance of lightning in your
area by
counting the number of seconds between the
flash and the first sound of the thunder and
dividing by five(5). This will give you the
distance in miles from your location.
Remember, if you are in a higher elevation,
the lightning can come upon you much quicker
and your reaction time is greatly hindered.
30/30 RULE
When you see lightning, count the time until
you hear thunder. If this time is thirty
(30) seconds or less, seek proper shelter.
Wait thirty (30) minutes or more after
hearing the last thunder before leaving the
shelter. If you can not see the lightning,
just hearing the thunder is a good back up
rule.
Additional Information
Please note the following recommendations
from Environment Canada:
The existence of blue sky and absence of
rain are not protection from lightning.
Lightning can and does strike as far as ten
(10) miles away from the rain shaft. It does
not have to be raining for lightning to
strike. Many lightning casualties occur in
the beginning, as the storm approaches,
because many people ignore initial
precursors of high winds, some rainfall and
cloud cover. Generally, the lightning threat
diminishes with time after the last sound of
thunder, but may persist for more than
thirty (30) minutes.
Lightning can strike ahead of the parent
cloud – take action even if the thunderstorm
is not overhead.
Be aware of how close lightning is
occurring. The flash-to-bang method is the
easiest and most convenient way to estimate
how far away lightning is occurring. Thunder
always accompanies lightning, even though
its audible range can be diminished due to
background noise in the immediate
environment and its distance from the
observer.
Lightning awareness should be increased with
the first flash of lightning or the first
clap of thunder, no matter how far away.
This activity must be treated as a wake-up
call to all. The most important aspect to
monitor is how far away the lightning is
occurring, and how fast the storm is
approaching, relative to the distance of a
safe shelter.
Recognize that personal observation of
lightning may not be sufficient. Additional
weather information may be required to
ensure consistency, accuracy and adequate
advance warning.
When larger groups are involved, the time
needed to properly evacuate an area
increases. As time requirements change, the
distance at which lightning is noted and
considered a threat to move into the area
must be increased. Extending the range used
to determine threat potential also increases
the chance that a localized cell or
thunderstorm may not reach the area giving
the impression of a “false alarm”.
Know where the closest “safe structure or
location” is to the field or playing area
and know how long it takes to get to that
safe structure or location.
Safe structure or location is defined as:
Any building normally occupied or frequently
used by people, i.e., a building with
plumbing and / or electrical wiring that
acts to electrically ground the structure.
Avoid using shower facilities for safe
shelter and do not use the showers or
plumbing facilities during a thunderstorm.
In the absence of a sturdy, frequently
inhabited building, any vehicle with a hard
metal roof (not a convertible or golf cart)
and rolled-up windows can provide a measure
of safety. A vehicle is certainly better
than remaining outdoors. It is not the
rubber tires that make a vehicle a safe
shelter, but the hard metal roof which
dissipates the lightning strike around the
vehicle. Do not touch the sides of any
vehicle!
If no safe structure or location is within a
reasonable distance, find a thick grove of
small trees surrounded by taller trees or a
dry ditch. Assume a crouched position on the
ground with only the balls of the feet
touching the ground, wrap your arms around
your knees and lower your head. Minimize
contact with the ground because lightning
current often enters a victim through the
ground rather than by a direct overhead
strike. Minimize your body’s surface area
and the ground! Do not lie flat! If unable
to reach safe shelter, stay away from the
tallest trees or objects such as light poles
or flag poles), metal objects (such as
fences or bleachers), individual trees,
standing pools of water, and open fields.
Avoid being the highest object in a field.
Do not take shelter under a single, tall
tree.
Avoid using the telephone, except in
emergency situations. People have been
struck by lightning while using a land-line
telephone. A cellular phone or a portable
remote phone is a safe alternative to
land-line phones, if the person and the
antenna are located within a safe structure
or location, and if all other precautions
are followed.
When considering resumption of any athletics
activity, it is recommended that everyone
should ideally wait at least thirty (30)
minutes after the last flash of lightning or
sound of thunder before returning to the
field.
People who have been struck by lightning do
not carry an electrical charge. Therefore,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is safe
for the responder. If possible, an injured
person should be moved to a safer location
before starting CPR. Lightning-strike
victims who show signs of cardiac or
respiratory arrest need emergency help
quickly. Prompt, aggressive CPR has been
highly effective for the survival of victims
of lightning strikes.
For additional information the following
website is helpful:
www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
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