Lenny The Lifeguard – Sun Protection

By Dan Hutton on November 15, 2010 in

One of the biggest dangers at the beach this summer is not in the water, but in the sky – the sun.

You would be amazed by the amount of people who front up to the lifeguard tower suffering from sun-related trauma – particularly sun burn, dehydration and sun/heat stroke.

It’s a simple message but one that is all too often ignored. The incidence of melanoma in Australia when compared to other countries is so much more frequent than in other countries that it has been dubbed ‘the Australian cancer’.

There are few simple steps you can take to limit the damage of the sun and ensure that an enjoyable day at the beach remains that way:

•    Avoid venturing down to the beach between the danger hours of 11am and 3pm.
•    Always slip, slop, slap and wrap. Slip on a t-shirt, slop on some sun cream (and reapply every two hours), slap on a hat and wrap a pair of sunnies around your melon to protect your eyes.
•    Drink plenty of water. On a hot day you’ll dehydrate very quickly.

If you do suffer from mild sunburn, a cool bath or cold compress can help relieve the discomfort, as can applying a moisturiser (particular those containing aloe vera).

If you have severe sunburn with blisters, extreme pain, general unwellness, light headedness or a headache you should seek medical advice immediately.