NOTICE: Marching band to implement new cold weather safety procedures

SUMMARY: Special measures will be applied for members of the JMU marching band in preparation for Friday's playoff game at JMU.

The JMU Marching Royal Dukes are committed to the safety of their members. It is our number one priority.

Special measures will be applied in preparation for cold weather that may be present at Friday's playoff game at JMU.

With a high temperature of 34 degrees F and a low of 19 degrees F, cold weather should be taken seriously:

1. MRD UNIFORM FOR FRIDAY: We will be wearing our MRD rain jackets, so please make sure you have yours ready. Our "UNIFORM" will be the rain jacket (no MRD jacket), bibbers, white gloves (for performances only), and SHAKO/PLUME (for performances only.) This will allow you to wear as many layers as you want under the rain jacket to STAY WARM.

2. HAND/FOOT WARMERS – We will distribute hand/foot warmers at rehearsal on THURSDAY. Please make sure to have these ready on Friday.

3. GLOVES – you will be able to wear whatever gloves you want IN THE STANDS. Please plan to have your white MRD gloves on your uniform for Pregame and Halftime. Otherwise, you can bring/wear whatever gloves you want. WOODWINDS, obviously, consider flip-top mittens.

4. THERMAL, THERMAL, THERMAL – if you have thermal undergarments, this would be a great day to wear them. If you don’t have thermal undergarments, now we would be a great time to get them.

5. VALVES & MOUTHPIECES – We will provide extra hand warmers for brass players to apply to these areas in order to prevent freezing.

6. FOOD – We will be providing a meal for the band during the game, as well as hot chocolate throughout the game.

7. WARMING AREAS – We plan to provide an area with heaters designated for band members. This will allow us to rotate in and out of the stands to get additional heat as needed.

Best,

Scott Rikkers
Director, JMU Marching Royal Dukes

On behalf of:
Chase Conrad Maszle ('17)
Communications and Marketing Manager, JMU Athletic Bands

Fans and students attending the game should be aware of the following, and move indoors to warmer weather if they suspect they are experiencing any of the following:

Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia when outdoors during extreme cold weather.

Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite. In fact, research has shown that uncovered fingers can freeze up to 8 times faster than a human cheek, and the nose can freeze 3 times faster. This illustrates the importance of keeping fingers and parts of your face (ear lobes, nose) well covered in extreme cold weather.

Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 deg F. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.

If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure. Put the person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket.

Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.

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NOTICE: Marching band to implement new cold weather safety procedures

Fans and students attending the game should be aware of the following, and move indoors to warmer weather if they suspect they are experiencing any of the following:

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