Sunburn and dehydration
1The lesson in plain words
Reflected UV adds to your exposure; wind can hide the heat. Cover up, plan shade and drink regularly.
The sun at sea
Reflected ultraviolet (UV) light from water, decks and sails can add to exposure, even in shade. A breeze masks heat; cloud does not reliably block UV. Sunburn raises your later skin-cancer risk.
Protect yourself
Cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved UV shirt and wraparound sunglasses. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on all exposed skin, including ears, lips and the tops of feet; reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or heavy sweating. Rig shade, shorten exposed watches, rotate crew, arrange drink breaks and plan hard deck work for cooler hours.
Sunburn first aid
Get out of the sun. Cool the skin with cool water or wet cloths, and use an after-sun or aloe gel. Drink extra water if fully alert and able to swallow. Leave blisters alone. Get emergency help for confusion; if hot, start cooling for suspected heat stroke. Get radio medical advice for widespread blistering, fever, chills, vomiting or a burnt child.
Dehydration
Dehydration means the body has lost more water than it has taken in. At sea you lose water through sweat, breathing in dry wind, vomiting from seasickness and alcohol. Early signs are thirst, dark yellow urine, peeing less, headache, tiredness and dizziness. A dehydrated crew member thinks slowly and is more likely to be injured.
Drink before thirst
Drink small amounts regularly through the day; thirst comes late. Aim for pale straw-coloured urine. After vomiting or heavy sweating, use oral rehydration solution mixed with safe drinking water exactly as the packet directs. Keep alcohol for harbour.
2Key data
- Sunscreen
- Broad-spectrum SPF 30+, every 2 hours and after swimming
- Reflection
- Reflected UV from water and decks can add to exposure
- Dehydration signs
- Thirst, dark urine, headache, dizziness
- Target
- Pale straw-coloured urine
3Key points
- 1
Reflection can increase UV exposure; a cool breeze can make sunburn harder to notice.
- 2
Hat, long sleeves, sunglasses, SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours, and shade.
- 3
Sunburn: cool skin and give fluids if alert; seek advice for severe burns. Confusion needs emergency help.
- 4
Dehydration: thirst, dark urine, headache. Drink before thirst.
- 5
Seasickness and alcohol dry you out.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: It is cloudy and breezy, so there is no need for sunscreen.
Right: UV passes through cloud and the wind hides the burn. Protect your skin every day.
Wrong: Wait until you feel thirsty before drinking.
Right: Thirst comes late. Drink small amounts regularly and check your urine colour.
5Practice case & exam keys
On the second day of a summer crossing, a crew member who has been seasick and spent the morning on the foredeck has a headache, feels dizzy and has hardly peed. His shoulders are bright red.
Show the answer
Suspect dehydration and sunburn. Get him into shade and cool his skin. If fully alert and able to swallow, give small sips of correctly mixed oral rehydration solution. New confusion is an emergency: call for help; if he is hot, start cooling for suspected heat stroke. Give nothing by mouth unless fully alert and able to swallow. Get radio medical advice if he cannot keep fluids down.
Exam keys
- Reflected UV can add to exposure; wind hides heat and cloud does not reliably block UV.
- Prevention: cover up, shade, SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours.
- Dehydration signs: thirst, dark urine, less urine, headache, dizziness.
- Drink regularly, aim for pale urine; after vomiting use oral rehydration solution mixed exactly as the packet directs.
Finish this unit
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