RISON, Ark. — Cleveland County School District officials are emphasizing heat safety procedures after a Rison High School football player suffered a medical emergency during practice Tuesday.
According to district officials, coaches and staff followed established emergency procedures when the incident occurred. Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rogers confirmed the student was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for treatment.
School officials have not released details about the student’s condition but reported receiving encouraging information Wednesday.
The incident comes as high school athletic programs across Arkansas conduct summer practices amid high temperatures. Rison Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Chris Vereen said preventing heat-related illnesses requires athletes to remain properly hydrated throughout the day, including during the hours they are away from practices.
Coaches and athletic personnel receive training in several areas of emergency response, including CPR, heat-related illnesses, concussions, cardiac emergencies and dehydration.
Cleveland County School District Superintendent Davy King said that training was put into use during Tuesday’s incident. Staff members followed procedures that included evaluating the student and taking steps to lower his body temperature while emergency medical assistance was being provided.
District officials are also reminding coaches throughout the athletic program to monitor weather and environmental conditions and follow heat-related guidelines established by the Arkansas Activities Association. Those precautions include monitoring wet-bulb measurements, which account for factors such as temperature and humidity when determining conditions for outdoor activities.
Athletes are also being monitored for potential warning signs of heat illness, including dizziness, confusion, cramping, dehydration and changes in normal sweating.
The district plans to continue taking precautions during outdoor practices, including making athletic trainers and additional medical personnel available when appropriate.
School officials said hydration, monitoring weather conditions, recognizing symptoms and responding quickly will remain priorities as summer practices continue ahead of the upcoming athletic season.
