You’ve heard the rules. Slow down in no-wake zones to avoid accidents with boaters or swimmers. Wear PFDs to prevent chance overboard spills from becoming something worse. Put on sunscreen so you won’t get that itchy, irritating red glow. And drink lots of water.
It all sounds like harping from an overprotective parent, but in truth, it’s information that will make your family’s boating experience a lot more enjoyable. Out of those basic rules, the two easiest to neglect – protection from sunburn and dehydration – may be the most dangerous. Severe dehydration can lead to serious health complications. Sunburn can lead to skin cancer.
Part of the allure of a day on the water is spending time in the sun. And undoubtedly, you’ve had your primary care physician and dermatologist remind you to wear sunscreen.
It’s particularly important for children to avoid overexposure. Some studies have suggested that a significant portion of many people’s lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun occurs by the age of 18, and multiple blistering sunburns during childhood have been linked to increases in skin cancer later in life. It often takes multiple exposures to sun to create a cancer, so starting with lots of sunburns in childhood certainly starts things off on the wrong foot.
Although sunscreen is one of the biggest steps you can take toward UV protection, there are plenty of additional measures to consider. Ample shade with Bimini tops, as well as protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, go a long way toward reducing the chance of unpleasant visits to the dermatologist. Use any restroom breaks or pit stops back at the dock as a time to reapply sunscreen.
The sun is not just zapping you and your kids with radiation; it’s also sapping you of energy and fluids. While you’ve heard of the negative consequences of becoming dehydrated (vomiting, dizziness, nausea), in rare cases there can be even bigger health ramifications.
So, how much water do you need? Surprisingly, overhydrating can have its own negative effects. Drinking way too much water isn’t the answer to avoiding dehydration. Sodium and potassium levels will be diluted, and you may suffer hyponatremia (low level of sodium) or other unpleasantries.
What’s the best way to achieve a healthy balance? Moderation. The standard mantra for water intake is eight glasses a day. A good rule of thumb while you’re out in the water is to drink at least 1 quart of water per hour.
Don’t play catch-up if you can avoid it. Drink plenty of fluids before leaving the dock, and have your children do the same.
What probably sounded like harping as a little kid is actually sage advice. Think of the extra water on board and heavy-duty sunscreen like you do PFDs – standard protocol for a day of boating in the summer.
