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Cumberland University

Lightning Policy

As stated in the Cumberland University Athletics Emergency Action Plan:

The Head Coach is the individual with primary responsibility for providing a safe environment.
Decisions made by the Head Coach will be done in conjunction with the recommendations and input by the Athletic Training staff, Athletics Department, and/or officials.
An unsafe environmental condition should be established by appropriate weather systems (apps, radars, lightning detectors, etc.) and/or when a “flash-to-bang” interval is decreasing and becomes equal to or less than 50 seconds.  Lightning that is within 10 miles requires immediate evacuation from the playing area and is deemed as an unsafe environment.
In the event of an unsafe environmental condition, the following steps should be taken:
  • All persons must immediately leave the athletic site and seek safe shelter.
  • A safe shelter should be defined as (1) any sturdy building that has metal plumbing or wiring, or both, to electrically ground the structure, and (2) in the absence of a sturdy building as described above, any vehicle with a hard metal roof with the windows rolled up.
  • If there is no safe shelter within a reasonable distance, crouch away from tall objects or in a dry ditch.  Crouching with only your feet touching the ground and close together, wrap your arm around your knees and lower your head to minimize your body’s surface area. Do not lie flat!
  • If you feel your hair stand on end or your skin tingle or hear crackling noises, immediately crouch as described above.
  • Allow 30 minutes to pass after the last sound of thunder before resuming athletic activity.
  • Do not use cellular devices unless there is an emergency. People have been known to be struck by lightning while using a land-line telephone.
  • Lighting victims do not carry an electrical charge. CPR is safe for the responder and has been shown to be effective in lightning victims.
  • The PA announcer (if applicable) shall also provide appropriate warnings for spectators to seek safe shelter.
 
Mid-South Conference Lightning Policy:
  • The host ATC, game officials and game administrators will work together to make the most informed decision as possible regarding lightening.
  • If an automated lightening detection system is available, this will take precedent for lightening range determination. If no automated detection system is available, the flash-to-bang method will be used (count the number of seconds until you hear thunder, then divide the number of seconds by five to get the distance in miles).
  • Coaches, game officials and game administrators will be warned when lightening is detected within a 15-mile radius.
  • Teams will be evacuated to a designated safe area at the 10-mile mark and emergency procedures will be initiated.
  • Following evacuation, no one will be permitted back on to the playing field for at least thirty (30) minutes after the last lightening detection within a 15-mile radius. This includes any set-up or maintenance required to resume competition.
  • Common alerts for real-time lightening notification*:
Alert Meaning
Heads Up Lightning within 15 miles
Begin Safety Procedures – Everyone Off Field
**Tarps should already be in place if needed**		 Lightning within 10 miles
You are now in danger; safety procedures should be complete Lightning within 6 miles
All Clear Lightning has not been detected within 15 miles for 30 min