Casa, who has authored a book called "Preventing Sudden Death in Sports and Physical
Activity," says that calling 911 isn't always enough when heat strokes occur.
"Heat strokes are completely survivable," he told CNN.
Immersion in a cold-water tub or pool can help survival, Casa said, noting that the body can withstand extreme conditions for roughly 30 minutes.
Casa thinks a national mandate - like the NCAA requires - would help with this issue. He said only one heat-related death has occurred since the NCAA implemented guidelines eight years ago. The NFHS can make recommendations but each state can comply or reject.
Colgate says his national organization has little power to regulate — that it's up to the schools, school boards and state organizations.
"We write rules for competition only," he said. "We don't regulate practices. Our state organizations do that. ... To come up with a one-size-fits-all policy for practices is very difficult. The climate and conditions in south Florida and northern Wyoming over to Maine is quite different."
One of the major guidelines Casa suggests is manning each high school football practice with an athletic trainer, not an easy solution during these tough economic times. The NCAA and its schools can afford that. More than 20,000 high schools throughout the country likely can't.
The obvious retort to that is: What price is greater than human life?
"Not to make excuses, but the NCAA can mandate that," Colgate said. "We don't have the resources that the NCAA institutions have, such as appropriate health care professionals and certified athletic trainers (at all member schools). We have to rely on good judgment and common sense."
Colgate said that 42 percent of member schools are covered by certified athletic trainers, and indicated even that number was deceiving because some of the systems count the same trainer for multiple schools.
"States that have very stringent policies in place still had deaths," Colgate said. "Some think those policies are a cure-all, but that's not necessarily the case."
Here are some common sense and good judgment suggestions on the heat offered by Fred Mueller, a professor of exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina:
* Require each athlete to have a physical and know if an athlete
has a history of heat-related illness. These kids are more susceptible
to heat stroke. Overweight players are also at a higher risk.
* Acclimate players to the heat slowly. North Carolina mandates that the first three days of practice be done without uniforms.
* Alter practice schedules to avoid long workouts in high humidity.
* Provide cold water before, during and after practice in unlimited quantities.
* Provide
shaded rest areas with circulating air. Remove helmets and loosen or
remove jerseys. Some schools have plastic outdoor pools filled with ice
for cool-downs after practice.
* Know the symptoms of heat
illness: nausea, incoherence, fatigue, weakness, vomiting, muscle
cramps, weak rapid pulse and visual disturbance. Contrary to popular
belief, heat stroke victims may sweat profusely.
* Have an emergency plan in place. Parents should inquire about emergency plans for their kids' teams.
The NFL and Gatorade also offer a "Beat the Heat" program
online at this address.
Correspondent Todd Holcomb contributed to this report.
