We here at Martin Bird & Associates had a great time at the boat shows! We met lots of nice people, got plenty of new leads and have listed several boats as a direct result. Browse our listings and you’ll see. And, congratulations to John Wurdeman of Charles City, VA. He won the drawing for a Uniden hand-held VHF radio.

As boaters, most of us are committed to safety of our passengers as well as ourselves. PFD’s aboard? Check. Man-overboard gear? Check. Flares current? Check. Sun protection? Sun protection? Hmmm,  there is probably  a bottle of sunscreen somewhere. Maybe with the cleaning supplies?

Sun protection should rate as high on your safety checklist as PFD’s. While sun damage may not immediately be apparent, the long term consequences of sun damage are myriad. Cases of skin cancer (all forms) have risen each year, and cosmetic “rejuvenation” centers are springing up everywhere, with much of their revenue coming from fixing sun damage. Age spots, freckles, wrinkles and saggy skin are mostly caused by over-exposure to the sun. And if you color your hair, the color will fade much more quickly if exposed to the sun!

So, what can we do to prevent becoming a “grizzled old sailor”? Sunscreen, of course, is the first step. A higher SPF number and/or a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean it works better. Re-apply often, especially after swimming. The sprays are a convenient way to apply and re-apply sunscreen. (My personal favorite is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist w/45 SPF).

Consumer Reports Health offers these tips for using sunscreens:

• Don’t rely on sunscreen alone.  Wear protective clothing and limit time in the sun.
• Choose a sunscreen that is water resistant with an SPF of at least 30. Above 30, there’s not much more protection.
• Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of a lotion on most of your body, or “spray as much as can be evenly rubbed in and then go back over every area and spray completely once again,” advises Jessica Krant, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist.
• Don’t pay too much.  La Roche-Posay costs $18.82 per ounce and scored lower overall than No-Ad at 59 cents an ounce.

A few more tips:

·          If your boat doesn’t have a bimini, get one. They’re not cheap, but have you checked the cost of

having biopsies, surgery or laser treatments lately? Bimini’s aren’t nearly as painful either.

·          Wear a wide brimmed hat and good sunglasses. Not only will you look cool, but you’ll be protecting

·          your scalp, face and eyes from over-exposure to sun.

·          Lightweight, long sleeved clothing helps protect from UVB rays (No sunscreen fully protects from

UVA rays.)

Summer is here on the Chesapeake and the heat seems to have settled in. Being out on the water seems like the perfect idea this time of year. However, even while boating, one must be careful not to over-do it. Sunscreen is a must, and should be reapplied frequently throughout the day. Hats, light colored clothing and drinking plenty of water will help prevent heat related illness. Read on for more info…

Reducing Your Risks

1. Drink lots of cool water

Drink lots of cool water, more than you think you need, when the weather is hot and humid. (High humidity makes heat injuries more likely because perspiration does not evaporate from the skin as quickly; this causes the body to cool down more slowly.) Water is best; fruit and vegetable juices are good, too.

Drink at least a gallon of liquid a day (about 16 glasses) when the outside temperature is above 90 degrees and you’re out on your boat. This will mean drinking 1 1/2 times as much liquid as your thirst signals you to drink.

Overweight people need even more water during summer than average weight people.

Do not drink beer or other alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea or other drinks containing caffeine because they cause you to lose fluid.

2. Maintain normal salt intake

Maintain normal salt intake in your diet (1 1/2 teaspoons or less per day). If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, ask your doctor about your salt intake.

3. Stay cool

Wear light-colored clothes that are loosely woven and absorbent. Cotton is best; it absorbs 40 percent of its weight in moisture. Most synthetic (manmade) materials trap body heat and are not absorbent. Wear a hat to shade your head. Wet bandannas around the neck help cool your entire body. Now is the time to give the kids squirt guns!

5. Older people are more sensitive to heat

Realize that older people are more sensitive to heat and may easily suffer heat-related sickness. Also, anyone with diabetes, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, or Parkinson’s Disease is more sensitive to the effects of heat.

Types of Heat-Related Problems

• Heat Cramps – symptoms include painful cramping and spasms of legs, arms and/or abdominal (stomach) muscles.
• Heat Exhaustion – symptoms include feeling tired, weak, and dizzy; headache, nausea and possible vomiting. Heavy perspiration; skin feels moist.
• Heat Stroke – symptoms include feeling tired, weak and dizzy. Skin feels hot and dry, even under armpits; appears red and flushed. May become delirious and unconscious. This is a life threatening situation! Call 911.

Treating Heat-Related Problems

Heat Cramps

1. Rest in a cool, shaded place.
2. Drink cool water slowly (4 ounces which is equal to 1/2 cup of fluid, every 15 minutes)
3. Stretch the muscle lightly.
4. Massage the area gently.

Heat Exhaustion

1. Rest in a cool, shaded place.
2. Lie down with feet raised 8 to 12 inches.
3. Loosen all clothing.
4. Drink cool water (4 ounces, which is equal to 1/2 cup of fluid, every 15 minutes).
5. Place cool, wet clothes on forehead and body.

Heat Stroke

1. Remove clothing.
2. Sponge with cool water.
3. Fan with a towel or cloth.
4. Call an ambulance and transport the person to the nearest emergency room immediately. This is a life-threatening emergency.

(information excerpted from WebMD and Mayo Clinic)