US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championship Program 2014 New Mexico | Page 14
MEDICAL and SAFETY INFORMATION
Medical Support during the 2014 US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships
and Useful Local Medical Information for Tournament Participants
Medical support for the 2014 US
Youth Soccer Far West Regional
Championships will be provided by a
committed group of Athletic Trainers, Physicians and Emergency
Medical Technicians. Two medical
tents will be located between
fields 5 and 6 of the lower complex and between fields 16
and 17 at the upper complex (please refer to the soccer
complex map on page 17).
Injuries will be evaluated on the field as needed.
Athletes who require medical assistance and are able
to “walk-in” to the medical tents are encouraged to do
so.
The medical staff will be able to provide some medical
supplies to injured athletes at the medical tents.
Ambulances will be in close proximity for injuries that
need to be transported to local hospitals or clinics.
The wonderfully unique New Mexico climate and geography present challenges to the athlete and the coaching
staff. With that said, players and coaching staff need to
be aware of the possibility of serious medical situations
that might arise because of these challenges—such as
playing at altitude, extreme heat, and lightning strikes.
Consequently, special precautions need to be taken to ensure safe competition for all participating athletes.
Heat illness: with the daytime summer temperatures approaching 100⁰ F and intense competition, athletes
and coaches need to prepare for heat stress. Techniques to combat heat-related illness include wearing
light-weight, porous, and light-colored uniforms and
increasing fluid intake. Fluid intake should be encouraged; in fact, the rate of fluid replacement should
approximate the amount of sweat loss, and a properly
formulated sports drink is recommended when athletes are working hard and sweating profusely.
Altitude disorders: altitude sickness occurs in response
to the hypoxia of altitudes greater than 5,000 feet
above sea-level. The New Mexico Soccer Tournament
Complex at Santa Ana Pueblo in Bernalillo sits at
6,000 feet; the severity of symptoms and susceptibility to symptoms vary from person to person. Symptoms may include: headache, difficulty sleeping, loss
of appetite, lightheadedness, fatigue, and confusion.
Usually acute mountain sickness is self-limiting, lasting
14
between 2-5 days; however if symptoms worsen, activity reduction may be necessary.
Lightning strikes: lightning injuries and fatalities are rare but do occur. Lightning most often strikes in late
spring through summer between 3 – 8 pm, particularly
in large open areas. The soccer complex in Bernalillo
has a lightning warning system that will be used during
the tournament. If this warning system is initiated all
spectators, athletes, coaches and families will