Valley AFC Lightning Policy

It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to abide by and enforce this policy on behalf of Valley AFC.

1. In the event of lightning, participants should be removed from the playing area and taken, if possible, to a safe facility. A safe facility must be an enclosed building with plumbing, telephone and electrical wiring. (A baseball dugout is not a safe facility!)
2. In the event that practices are being conducted where there are no buildings, the mode of transportation should be used as a safe structure. (Car, bus, van etc) Vehicles should have a hard metal roof and windows should be rolled up. If you are outside away from "safe" structures, you should stay away from trees, standing pools of water, open fields and metal poles. The safest position is crouching with both feet in contact with the ground, keeping the feet close together. Wrap your arms around your legs and tuck your head between the knees. DO NOT lay flat on the ground.
3. Evacuation of practice and playing fields should begin immediately at the first sight of lightning. Participants should not attempt to wait out the lightning or wait for the lightning to get closer.
4. Following evacuation as a result of lightning, the resumption of activity should be 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder has been seen or heard. Lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away.
5. Note: Every new flash of lightning starts the 30 minute wait period again.

This policy is adapted from the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook (2008-09)