In the heat of the summer pre-season, the difference between a successful practice and a medical emergency often comes down to the split-second decisions made by those on the sidelines. To pull back the curtain on what it takes to protect student-athletes in 2026, we sat down with the lead safety consultant at IceAthletes.com to discuss the evolution of heatstroke prevention and why “toughness” is being redefined by science.
Interviewer: We talk a lot about the statistics of heatstroke, but what does it actually look like when an athlete enters that “danger zone”?
IceAthletes Expert: It’s often much more subtle than people think. Everyone expects a dramatic collapse, but the early stages of exertional heatstroke (EHS) look like a personality shift. We look for Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction. An athlete might start acting irritable, or they might stop responding to coaching cues. I’ve seen players start running toward the wrong sideline or struggling to unbuckle their own chin strap.
By the time they collapse, their internal temperature is likely already north of $105^\circ F$. That is why we emphasize “eyes on athletes” at all times. If a kid who is normally focused starts looking “glassy-eyed” or confused, the clock has already started. You don’t wait for them to fall; you pull them immediately.
Interviewer: There’s a historical “tough it out” culture in sports. How has that contributed to the risks we see today?
IceAthletes Expert: That culture is our biggest hurdle. For decades, water was treated as a reward for hard work rather than a physiological necessity. We still hear stories of “old school” mentalities where asking for a break is seen as a sign of weakness.
But science tells us that the human body doesn’t care about your “grit” when your core temperature hits $106^\circ F$. At that point, your organs begin to fail. We are trying to shift the narrative: True toughness is being well-conditioned and well-hydrated enough to finish the game. A player in a cooling tub isn’t helping the team win the Friday night opener. By prioritizing safety, we are actually prioritizing performance.
Interviewer: You’re a major advocate for the “Cool First, Transport Second” protocol. Why is this so controversial for some?
IceAthletes Expert: It’s controversial because it goes against the traditional instinct to “call 911 and get them to the hospital.” Usually, that’s the right move. But with heatstroke, the “hospital” is actually the ice tub on your sideline.
If you wait 15 minutes for an ambulance and another 15 minutes for transport, that athlete has been “cooking” for half an hour. That’s where permanent brain damage or organ failure happens. We teach schools that they must be the primary medical responders. You cool them until their core temp is $102^\circ F$, and then you put them in the ambulance. It saves lives, period.
Interviewer: We’ve seen a lot of tech coming into the space—wearable sensors, internal thermometers. What’s the most important tool in 2026?
IceAthletes Expert: High-tech wearables are great for data, but if you don’t have a $50 stock tank and 20 bags of ice, the tech is useless. The most important “tool” is actually the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitor.
If a school isn’t using a WBGT meter, they are guessing. You can’t feel the difference between 88 and 92 degrees WBGT just by standing there, but your body can. That device provides the objective data needed to say, “The environment is currently 100% unsafe for full pads.” It takes the emotion and the “coach’s ego” out of the decision.
Interviewer: What is one thing parents should look for when they drop their kids off at practice?
IceAthletes Expert: Look for the “Cooling Station.” It should be visible. If you see a blue tub or a dedicated tent with ice chests and fans, you know that school has a plan. If you see kids practicing in $95^\circ F$ heat and the only water source is a single fountain 100 yards away, that’s a red flag.
Parents should also ask if there is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) on-site. Coaches are great, but they are focused on the X’s and O’s. An ATC is focused on the heartbeats. Having a medical professional whose only job is to watch for distress is the gold standard of safety.
Interviewer: Final thoughts for the 2026 season?
IceAthletes Expert: We want people to understand that heatstroke is 100% preventable and 100% survivable. There is no reason—zero—that a child should die playing sports in the heat in this day and age. It comes down to education, preparation, and the willingness to put the athlete’s life above the practice schedule.
At IceAthletes.com, we aren’t trying to stop the game; we’re trying to make sure everyone is still there to play it next week.
Join the Movement
Ready to bring elite safety protocols to your organization? Our 2026 Heat Safety Certification is now open for coaches, trainers, and athletic directors. Don’t wait for a tragedy to happen—be the leader your athletes deserve.
[Click here to view our 2026 Course Schedule]