You may be coming to this blog wondering how you can prevent sunburns. Good thinking, since it hints at that right in the title. Sunscreen. The answer to your question is sunscreen. If you are at the beach, enjoying time on a boat or simply mowing the lawn before your significant other starts giving you the stink eye, you should always, always wear sunscreen. Your skin is easily damaged, sometimes irreversibly, by even just minutes in direct sunlight.
Now, if you’re looking for sunburn prevention tips to stack on top of a finely applied sheen of sunblock, you’re at the right place.
We love food. From unlimited wings at the local sports bar to Mom’s famous spaghetti, there is no question that food is a pleasure that easily ranks up there with boating and marathoning your favorite Netflix shows (in one weekend, no less). But, did you know that food was holding out on you? It’s true! Many foods you may have at your house right now can not only cure your hunger-related grumpiness but also may prevent and relieve nasty sunburns from your day out on the water.
Which Foods Assist in Sunburn Prevention and Relief?
Guavas: Vitamin C doesn’t just stave off scurvy, it also may help your skin from sun damage. Packed with more vitamin C than about five oranges, guavas are filled with antioxidant goodness that may help you stay medium instead of well done.
Strawberries: Though you may look like Carrie on prom night after smearing mashed strawberries on your sunburns, you’ll be thankful for the soothing, sting-reducing properties of tannin, which the berries are rich in.
Cucumbers: Already burned? If you’re fresh out of strawberries but just finished assembling a killer mixed salad, you may be in luck. Mashed cucumbers are an organic and well-known remedy for painful sunburns, providing over-the-counter relief without an unpronounceable list of chemicals.
Oatmeal: Looking for a reason to soak in the tub? If you’re already burned, grind up a cup of oatmeal and add it to a cool bath for full-body relief.
Potatoes: Cut a raw potato and rub the slice onto especially painful burns for some quality relief provided by the potato’s starchiness.
Pomegranate: As both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, pomegranates are not only delicious (and pretty fun to eat to boot) but help protect skin from UVA and UVB skin cell damage.
With this info in hand, check your pantry, plunder the fruit basket and inspect your veggie drawer for all you need (other than sunscreen) to help prevent or overcome a cooked-lobster-like exterior. Never forget, sun protection is serious business, especially when our passion keeps us spending hours in the great outdoors. We pulled much of this info from a very interesting article on Prevention.com, which you should check out if you want to learn more about these alternative sunburn prevention remedies. Enjoy your time on the water and make sure you don’t end up extra crispy.
Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason; we enjoy months of warm weather and plenty of opportunities to soak in some rays while boating or on the beach. However, it’s not all good times if you’re not keeping sun protection in mind. Though the sun provides some great health benefits, it is also extremely dangerous if you don’t respect its dangers. With these sun protection tips, we list a few ways that you can limit damage while on your next boating or beach trip.
Sun Protection Tips for the Whole Family
Eyes on Safety: Did you know that eyelids are extremely susceptible to skin cancer? Many let their eyes go unprotected, skipping sunscreen coverage around their eyes and not utilizing sunglasses — a terrible mistake when you consider how delicate this skin is. Sunglasses also reduce strain on eyes and can help with visibility while you’re on the water. Also, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap to keep those sun rays out of your eyes.
Coverage is Key: Sure, sometimes your goal is to get a nice tan, but when you’re simply enjoying some time in the great outdoors, you may want to look into sun-safe clothing. From hats to swimsuit tops, sun-safe clothing is measured on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) scale and blocks dangerous UV radiation from damaging your skin while in the elements.
Sunscreen is Unskippable: Never forget to apply sunscreen anytime you’re hitting the beach, the boat or, really, anywhere outdoors, especially in the dog days of summer. The rule of thumb is to use broad-spectrum protective, SPF 30+ sunscreen with water resistance for adequate sun protection. Apply the sunscreen on all areas of your body not covered with clothing, and utilize an SPF-rated lip balm to protect your lips (another often-forgotten spot in need of sun protection).
Sun protection is a safety measure that can easily take the back seat when planning your boating trip. Trust us when we say that this is one factor worth considering for the long-term safety of yourself and those boating with you. Get serious about sun protection so that you can focus on the goal of your trip in the first place — having fun with those you love.
Whether you’re a new boater or hitting the water for the first time in a long time, boating for beginners has never been easier thanks to some great online resources and a worldwide community of boating enthusiasts that are often happy to lend advice. We love being one of these ambassadors to boating, so before your next (or first) boating trip, keep the following beginner tips in mind to have both a safety conscious and fun time with your friends and family on the water.
Boating for Beginners
Make a List and Check it Twice: Good advice for not only the inexperienced, you should always prepare and utilize a pre-departure checklist. These checklists often include the likes of battery, gas, and oil checks, life vest and safety equipment review and weather analysis to name a few. Proper preparation can make all the difference when taking your boat on the water.
Keep the Alcohol on Land: Though you may be the life of the party on land, leave the drinking for after your day of boating is done. Alcohol drastically increases the risk of boating accidents for even the most experienced of boaters.
Safety (Check) First: Did you know that the U.S. Coast Guard offers free vessel safety checks? Not only do these checks help ensure that your boat is in good shape for your next boating trip, but your inspector is also available to give you some key safety advice and answer questions that first-time boaters may have.
Plan on a Float Plan: An easy way to give yourself an additional level of safety is to create a float plan. By filling out a float plan and leaving in the hands of a trusted individual on shore, you give yourself a safety net that provides a description of your vessel, a list of your passengers and planned whereabouts, all of which can be vital to your rescue if you don’t report
Don’t be a Showboat: Operate your vessel safely and obey all posted speed and wake limits. Especially when just getting the hang of your vessel, it’s important to never be reckless while on the water. Stay vigilant and obey the laws of the waterway.
Boating can seem intimidating to some newcomers, but if you’re armed with these safety best practices, you and yours can enjoy the passion of boating that we all share. With a bit of practice, knowledge and experience, boating for beginners can be a breeze.
Information Cited: http://www.discoverboating.com/beginner/safety/tips.aspx
