How to Stay Safe in the Florida Sun during Spring Break

Florida is one of the most visited destinations when it comes to Spring Break. This tropical state plays host to millions upon millions of college students each and every year. The most popular Spring Break cities in Florida include Panama City Beach, Miami, The Florida Keys, and Daytona Beach. If you are planning to enjoy the sunny beaches of Florida this Spring Break, it is important that you know a few steps on how to stay safe in the Florida sun during the time that you are here.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• The items mentioned throughout this guide.

1. The first thing that you should know and understand is that the weather in Florida is a little bit on the “wild” side this year. One minute it may be sunny, and the next minute it may be very overcast. Do not let the sun fool you! Even if you are unable to see it due to clouds, it is still there and the damage that it can cause can still be experienced.
2. When going out into the Florida sun during Spring Break, it is important to properly protect yourself. You should use a high numbered sunscreen, wear hats, sunglasses, and even Chap Stick to protect your lips! Throughout the day, you should put a fresh coat of sunscreen on every two to three hours. This is especially true if you take part in swimming at a hotel pool, a water park, or even one of Florida’s many wonderful beaches.
3. Sporting that new bathing suit may seem like the right thing to do, but wearing protective clothing in the Florida sun is also an important thing to do! There are many different types of “beach shirts” that you can get to cover yourself while in a bathing suit. You should take the time to look into these shirts. The last thing you want to do is literally “burn” yourself out due to damage from the Florida sun early in your Spring Break vacation!
4. It is important to make certain that you drink plenty of fluids while in the Florida sun during Spring Break. If you fail to do this, your may quickly become dehydrated. You can even get to the point where you suffer from heat stroke and/or heat exhaustion. In addition to this, the more hydrated you are, the less likely that your skin will become dry and brittle when exposed to the sun, pool chemicals, beach sand, and the salt in the ocean.
5. You should gain an understanding of the signs of a heat complication such as exhaustion and/or stroke. Common symptoms include cramping in the legs and in the stomach, sweating a lot, feeling extremely exhausted, vomiting, and even fainting. In addition to this, you may become very hot or very clammy and nonresponsive. You should seek help immediately if you or someone that you know experiences any of these symptoms.