“It’s pretty bad; if you don’t hydrate, it can get you,” 16-year-old Cyrus Gilbert, an Imperial High School junior and football player said.
As the temperature rises, the National Weather Service is asking Valley residents to be advised of an excessive heat warning in affect. In an effort to stay safe during the heat advisory, Valley high schools, along with businesses and the public in general, are taking the necessary safeguards.
Following the hottest month on record for the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Valley high school athletes are preparing for fall sports while facing elevated temperatures, even by Imperial County standards.
View Imperial Valley cool centers in a larger map
“The heat index is really critical right now; you know how the humidity is up there, so even though it’s 110 degrees, you’ve got 25 percent humidity, so it’s affecting these kids like 120 or 125 degrees,” said Judy Cruz, the Imperial football team’s athletic trainer.
Imperial High School makes sure to watch for warning signs players might exhibit during practice that signal heat exhaustion.
“Nausea, vomiting, if they stop sweating, if they’re passed out, if they’re confused, any of those are signs they need to come off the field right away,” Cruz said. “If anyone has signs of heat exhaustion or overheating, we take them right away into the air conditioning.”
Seventeen-year-old football player Dejion Wilson left the practice field on a stretcher Tuesday after he exhibited what Cruz said she believes to be a heat stroke.
The since-recovered Wilson was back on the football field Wednesday to support his fellow players, however, he was not actually practicing.
Valley athletes aren’t the only community members taking precaution during the excessive heat.
The Imperial Irrigational District also prepares yearly for the summer heat, for both the safety of its employees and the available energy needed during peak usage, IID spokeswoman Marion Champion said.
“We have system planners that look to see weather trends and growth population usage trends constantly, so we make sure we have extra electricity usage reserves on hand,” she said.
“We look at areas heavily impacted by the heat and estimate the usage reserves available and needed for particular regions. We also make sure to plan maintenance and scheduled black outs in the winter or fall, so that customers will not be effected during the summer heat,” she added.
As for IID employees taking on the heat daily, Champion said IID educates its employees on safety precautions when out in the heat.
Meanwhile, dozens of high school football players from Calexico to north in Brawley are dealing with the heat not once, but twice as they get game ready.
Brawley Union High School recently installed a second outdoor shower, so athletes can cool off during their “Hell Week” practices, Brawley Athletic Director Bill Brewer said.
“We are very aware for the need of water and make sure the players stay cooled off,” Brewer said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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