As the hottest month of the year
in the Old Dominion approaches, there’s plenty to do outside; but if July 2013
is going to be anything like last year’s, care should be taken to minimize the
possibility of heat-related illness.
Here are a few things to consider for safety while adventuring this
summer.
Dress for Comfort
Before you leave the house, think
of the weather. Light, breathable
shorts/pants and shirts, some that offer sun protection, are made by companies
like ExOfficio, Columbia, and Under Armour.
Some are worth the slightly inflated price tag.
Neck buffs, hats, and sunglasses
also deserve their places on your hot weather checklist. Buffs can prevent sunburn in the most
vulnerable places, and sunglasses, personally, make time spent outdoors with
exceptionally bright sunlight more enjoyable, not to mention their protective
qualities.
Drink!
It’s a cliché, but considering
what the summer sun has accomplished on some of the more exposed rivers by the
climax of summer, and that almost ¾ of the human body is water, I would say
it’s a cliché grounded heavily in science.
Staying hydrated, drinking water
or juice even when you don’t feel thirsty, is the first and most important
step in keeping yourself healthy in the heat.
Even mild dehydration can leave one feeling weak and tired; and taking a
break in that situation without replenishing your body’s supply of fluids can
be very dangerous.
Avoid drinking alcohol, as it’s
well recognized as a diuretic that makes maintaining a healthy fluid level
difficult.
Operating a boat under the
influence of alcohol is illegal, and VDGIF officer patrol state waters on the
lookout for transgressors in the latter days of June through July, an
establishment of the Department’s Operation Dry Water.
Take 5
Don’t underestimate the value of
taking a break, especially if doing strenuous activity like hiking or mountain
biking. Rest. Use this time to replenish what you’ve lost
in fluids. Eating small snacks not overly loaded with protein—though, with a
sustainable amount—also helps in keeping cool, as it prevents an increased
metabolic rate that produces unwanted bodily heat.
Be Cool
It is not uncommon for
temperatures to fluctuate 20 degrees over the course of 24 hours, with the
coolest parts of the day passing in the night and the hottest in the hours
following midday. Use this information
to your advantage by planning activities in the cooler parts of the day. Going on a hike? Wake up early to see the sunrise and make
your trek when the sun hasn’t yet saturated the ground. Fishing?
The topwater action is better in the evenings anyway, and will only
improve from here on out!
Wet-wading a favorite river, as
opposed to frying on an aluminum boat, is a great option for fishermen. The flowing water is usually still a comfortable
70 degrees, and if you get too hot, a swim is just seconds away.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
No, I’m not suggesting showering—when
you get home, definitely!—but rather applying sunscreen, or, more importantly, reapplying. I’ve had my neck fried to discomfort on the
first day of a beach vacation enough to have learned that sunscreen is a
beautiful creation, and should be utilized as such.
When sunscreen shopping, it pays
to not just pick the highest sun protection factor (SPF) number and get out. Not only is this number misleading, it’s also
just half the story.
SPF is a reference to the level
of protection against cancer-causing UVB rays.
The average person will be well-served by sunscreen with an SPF of 15,
while fair-skinned people may benefit from SPF 30.
Contrary to popular belief, these numbers
don’t double in potency as they double geometrically, but 30 still offers more
protection than 15.
The other half of the story, UVA
rays, can also be damaging to your health, but aren’t as commonly advertised as
their bold counterpart. UVA rays are
also associated with cancer, but, as researchers from the EPA found, penetrate
deep into the skin to cause wrinkling, and overall, about 90% of all skin
changes previously attributed to aging. While
picking a sunscreen for UVA protection, look to the ingredients list for components
such as ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or
zinc oxide.
Even with the best sunscreens,
remember to reapply often. Multiply the
time it usually takes your skin to burn without protection—if you know—by the
SPF number, and reapply on that interval.
Just as in cold weather
situations, there are plenty of dangers present in the elements that can slip
into your body somewhat undetected—at first.
Take care, and place safety before practicality while exposed to the
elements to get the most out of your time outdoors. Dehydration and sunburn take more out of fun
than most people are willing to give.
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