The deaths of three football players in the past two weeks from heatstroke isn’t expected to change the way local high school teams prepare for the upcoming season.

The dog days of August are accompanied by some of the hottest weather of the year in Central Oregon. Combine that with the start of intense preseason conditioning, camps, and the opening of formal practices, and heat-related illness on the gridiron becomes a real possibility.

Heatstroke and the precursory heat exhaustion are relatively uncommon in Central Oregon compared with more muggy climates across the country particularly the Midwest and the South noted Vicki Hickmann, a registered nurse at Bend’s St. Charles Medical Center. But the heat-related deaths of Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer, University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin and an Indiana high school player have coaches here on alert.

”It’s sad to see something like that happen,” said Bend High head football coach Craig Walker. ”For the obvious reasons, it heightens your awareness level, but it’s already important. It’s something we talk to the kids about.”

The Associated Press recently reported that, according to a sports medicine authority at the University of North Carolina, 18 high school or collegiate players have died of heat-related causes in the United States since 1995.

Heatstroke occurs when the body’s internal temperature rises uncontrollably, usually to above 106 degrees in a short time span. Victims stop sweating, which is the body’s way of using evaporation to cool down.

Local coaches say the best way to avoid potential problems whether the onset of heatstroke or a less serious heat illness is to not practice when the heat is most intense.

”We don’t practice in the middle of the day with all the heat,” said Steve Turner, head football coach at Crook County High School in Prineville. ”We practice early in the morning and at night under the lights.”

And, said Turner, the most important thing is keeping players aware of the need to consume fluids, especially water.

”You’ve got to hydrate those kids during practice and educate those kids on how to hydrate themselves away from practice,” said Turner.

”Kids drink a lot of liquids, but it’s colas, coffees and teas. These don’t help with hydration, they actually dehydrate.

”Water is the best way to hydrate, in my opinion; it’s the natural way to do it.”

Walker said his players are instructed to monitor themselves. One way is by checking the color of urine. A dark yellow color and a strong odor, Walker explained, is an indication that one needs to drink more water.

”But what you don’t want to do is drink a bunch of water all at once,” noted Walker.

”Hydrate throughout the day. Drink even if you’re not very thirsty. During practice we’ll take several short water breaks and have water stations at different locations. Individuals can take additional water breaks as needed.”

Other preventive measures, say health officials, include wearing light clothing, avoiding direct sunlight and taking rests.

Warning signs of an oncoming heat illness can start with a simple headache and dizziness. Other symptoms may include cramping, rapid pulse and heartbeat, high body temperature, vomiting and fatigue. Players need to know when they’ve had enough.

”Football is a little different than other sports,” said Turner. ”The kids are supposed to be big and tough and that’s probably what hurt Korey Stringer, he was trying to be tough but there’s a point in being tough and a point in being stupid. You have to know when to quit and take precautions.”

Turner points out that the preseason workouts in August are not as dangerous as the after-school practices in September, when the daytime temperature is often at its peak with highs still reaching into the 80s and 90s.

”That’s when our precautionary time really kicks in 3 to 5 in the afternoon that’s the hottest time of the day.”