Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 2: The Basics of Operation
Boater-ese
Sunscreens are categorized by their Sun Protection Factor or SPF. An SPF of 2
supposedly allows you to stay in the sun twice as long without burning as you could
without any type of sunscreen. Most doctors recommend using a screen with an SPF of
15 and applying it repeatedly during the day to all exposed skin. The best screens
block out both types of the sun’s radiation, UVA and UVB, which are the terms designating
different wave lengths of the invisible ultraviolet rays.
The fact that there’s no shade and no greenery to soak up the rays at sea and that the
water is reflective doubles or triples the impact of sun on human skin, and failure to protect
yourself and your crew guarantees discomfort—and maybe lasting damage that can
lead to the first stages of skin cancer. It’s not an option to protect yourself; it’s mandatory.
Ask any dermatologist who deals with melanoma and you’ll get the same firm advice:
Avoid getting a sunburn.
Boat Bytes
White is the best color for
any clothing worn in hot
weather—it can make a
huge difference in how
much heat you feel. Dark,
dull-finished material soaks up
heat and sends it through to your
skin. Keep cool with white.
Sunscreen with UVA and UVB protectors is the ticket.
Buy the generic drugstore versions, which are half as
costly but just as effective as the name brands, and buy
them by the gallon. SPF-15 is reportedly the most costeffective
buy. Higher SPF numbers cost more, but doctors
say they offer no added skin protection.
Don’t even consider leaving the docks without everyone
aboard swabbing down thoroughly. Insist—many people
think they’ll go back to shore with a great tan if they
don’t use sunscreen, when in fact they’ll go back with
second-degree burns.
The best plan for a family outing is for everyone to apply sunscreen before leaving the
house, even before shirts and shorts and shoes are put on. That way you don’t miss those
touchy spots around the collar and at the leg of the shorts, and the stuff stays on longer if
it has a chance to dry before you go out into the heat and humidity.
Wear a Hat
If your hair is at all thin, a hat is a must—skin cancers on top of the head are very common,
as are those on the tops of the ears.
Even if your hair isn’t thin, a hat can greatly reduce the heat you’ll feel, and a broad brim
reduces glare, protecting your nose and face and also allowing you to see better.