Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker Featured on CBS

August 30, 2024 Chandler Spinelli Comments

The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker was recently featured in a CBS segment focused on exertional heat stress in athletics. The segment, which included a visit to Red Bank Regional High School, highlighted how coaches and trainers are using the Kestrel 5400 to protect athletes from the dangers of heat stress, a leading concern in sports, especially during the hotter months.

CBS Highlights Exertional Heat Stress in Sports

In their segment, CBS spotlighted the growing issue of exertional heat stress among student-athletes. They visited Red Bank Regional High School, where Christina Emrich, the Athletic Trainer, demonstrated how the Kestrel 5400 is being used to monitor environmental conditions and make informed decisions about practice schedules.

The segment also featured insights from the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI), emphasizing the importance of acclimatization - getting athletes used to the heat gradually before engaging in full practices.

The Role of WBGT in Protecting Athletes

The Kestrel 5400 is equipped with Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurement capabilities, a critical feature for assessing heat stress. But what exactly does WBGT do, and why is it so important?

What is WBGT? WBGT is an index that combines several environmental factors—temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation - to provide a measure of heat stress in direct sunlight. Unlike simple temperature readings, WBGT gives a more accurate representation of the potential heat load on the body during outdoor activities.
How Does WBGT Save Lives? By using WBGT readings, coaches and trainers can determine the safest times for practice and adjust activities based on real-time data. For example, if the WBGT reaches a dangerous level, practices can be rescheduled, modified, or canceled to prevent heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke. This proactive approach has been proven to save lives by reducing the risk of exertional heat stress.

Real-World Application at Red Bank Regional High School

At Red Bank Regional High School, the Kestrel 5400 is a vital part of the athletic department’s safety protocol. Christina Embrich and her team use WBGT measurements to make informed decisions that protect their athletes. By monitoring WBGT, they can alter practice times, provide additional water breaks, or even move practices indoors when necessary.

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Chandler Spinelli