Extreme weather, bushfire season and your training
Updated: Jan 9, 2020
CN: Discussion of bushfires
Our approach to extreme weather
Our top priority will always be the safety and longevity of everyone at our classes, students and coaches. Our classes will always be structured to be responsive to environmental conditions , and in the hotter months, this may mean moving class to shaded areas, decreasing intensity of the classes, or other practical changes.
This may also mean we may cancel or postpone any class or event if it poses significant risk. Our Extreme Weather policy does not have a ‘magic number’ or specific temperature at which we cancel class. We believe that approach can lead people (coaches and students alike) to ignore risks posed by the intersection of a number of factors (such as heat and humidity, wind conditions or air quality), and to rely too heavily on abstract frameworks rather than embodied experience. As such, class cancellations will always be at the discretion of the coaches.
If we do cancel any class or event, you’ll always be refunded in full, or if you prefer, your booking can be rolled over to the next class. We’ll always make every effort to make you aware of any class cancellations or changes in scheduling 4+ hours ahead of the scheduled start time,. However we have already seen that conditions (particularly air quality) can change very quickly. There may well be instances in which we must cancel classes at very short notice. As such, we recommend including your mobile number in all bookings, so we can contact you if conditions do change.
Our Cancellations policy for students/ participants will be relaxed for the summer months. Usually, we ask for 24 hrs notice for any cancellations from students. Current extreme weather conditions may make this policy a risk factor, especially for lower income folk. As such, any cancellations from students UP TO AND INCLUDING the first 15 mins or so of every class or event, will mean a full refund. We still ask that you let us know if you can’t make it to class, but we won’t impose any ‘penalties’.
We’ve compiled below some advice for training and safety in extreme hot weather conditions. This is intended to be an evolving document, so if you have suggestions for things to add or change, please let us know.
ALWAYS REMEMBER
- There is no shame in skipping or postponing training sessions due to environmental factors like heat and air quality. It doesn’t make you less ‘tough’, and it doesn’t mean you’re any less dedicated to your training. Remember, etre et durer, to be and to last. Extreme hot weather is not an obstacle to overcome; it’s a danger to respect.
Avoid training in the hottest parts of the day. Move your training sessions to earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
- Always be sun smart - use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat. Avoid exposing too much skin to sun damage, and seek out shade when you can.
- Stay hydrated. In these conditions, you may need to carry more water than you normally would. Make a mental note of the drinking fountains in or close to your training areas.
- Always make sure you have your phone on you when training. Use it regularly to check for changes in the local conditions, or for any emergent dangers, and to call for help if need be. Download the VicEmergency app, our use the website - http://emergency.vic.gov.au/
FIRST AID
- Make sure you know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and what to do in each case. When out training with others, keep an eye out for these symptoms. If you don’t already, consider carrying an instant ice pack in your first aid kit. As you can see from the graphic below, you should always be carrying water for the treatment of both.
