Heat and Air Quality Guidelines
Decisions regarding implementation of these guidelines are made by the on-site Competition Manager in consultation with the local TD. The Competition Manager makes the final decision.
Heat Guidelines and Air Quality Guidelines are not additive. Apply the highest number and follow those guidelines. For example, if the Heat Guidelines are in level one and the AQI is in level two, apply level two procedures.
If extended time is required between games, games will be started 30 minutes after the previous Hard Cap. If Hard cap is at 90 Minutes after first pull, soft cap will be adjusted to 75 minutes and half cap to 35 minutes. At the discretion of the Competition Manager, and in consultation with the local TD, games may be moved to the evening.
HEAT GUIDELINES
USA Ultimate Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Guidelines | ||
WBGT - F | Heat Precaution Level | Activity and Rest-Break Guidelines |
<82.0 | Level 0 | Normal activity |
82.0-86.9 | Level 1 | 1. One official hydration break per half. a) First-half break occurs when first team reaches 4. b) Second-half break occurs when first team scores the higher halftime score plus 4 (for example, if the halftime score was 5-4, the break occurs when the first team reaches 9)or when soft cap is applied, whichever comes first. c) Break extends the time between points by 3 minutes before the next pull (i.e. total of 4 minutes 30 seconds). |
87.0-89.9 | Level 2 | 1. One official hydration break per half. a) First-half break occurs when first team reaches 4. b) Second-half break occurs when first team reaches halftime score plus 4 or when soft cap is applied, whichever comes first. c) Break extends the time between points by 4 minutes before the next pull (i.e. total of 5 minutes 30 seconds). 2. Time between each point is extended by 1 minute (i.e. adds 60 seconds to existing 90 second period). 3. Maximum game length is 90 minutes. Rounds scheduled for longer will be shortened to 90 minute hard cap. Soft cap will be adjusted to 20 minutes before hard cap. 4. Minimum time between rounds is 30 minutes. Schedules with less time will be adjusted and communicated. |
>=90.0 | Level 3 | Play cancelled. Games rescheduled for cooler conditions (i.e. <90.0 WBGT). |
AQI GUIDELINES
USA Ultimate Air Quality Index Guidelines (https://www.airnow.gov) | ||
AQI | Air Precaution Level | Activity and Rest-Break Guidelines |
≤50 | Level 0 | Normal Activity |
51-100 | Level 1 |
|
100 – 149 | Level 2 |
a. First-half break occurs when first team reaches 4. b. Second-half break occurs when first team reaches the higher half time score plus 4 (for example, if the halftime score was 5-4, the break occurs when the first team reaches 9) or when soft cap is applied, whichever comes first. c. Break extends the time between points by 4 minutes before the next pull (i.e. total of 5 minutes 30 seconds). |
150 – 199 | Level 3 |
|
≥200 | Level 4 | Outdoor play canceled. Games rescheduled for indoor venue or improved conditions (i.e. <200 AQI). |
*Athletes with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep their quick-relief medicine handy.
**Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Even athletes who do not have asthma could experience these symptoms. If symptoms occur: The athlete might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don’t improve, get medical help.
The EPA has an AirNow app available for smartphones that provides AQI readings.
HEAT INDEX APPENDIX
WBGT is preferred, but use heat index if WBGT measurements are unavailable. Level One of the Heat Index begins at 80, Level 2 begins at a Heat Index of 90, and Level 3 begins at a Heat Index of 100.
