If you’re like most avid boaters, you enjoy nothing more than soaking up the sunshine on the deck of your boat. After all, spending the day relaxing with the breeze blowing through your hair is the reason you own a boat. But too much of a good thing can have negative effects after a while. In this case, you should be cautious about overexposure to the sun. 
For safe boating, you should be aware of these three hot weather risks, how to prevent them and what to do if they occur.
- Dehydration: This is a condition that sets in when your body doesn’t get enough water to perform normal functions. You may experience dry skin, headache and low urine output. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink pure water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you feel any dehydration symptoms, find a cooler area to rest while slowly sipping cool water.
- Sunburn: Most everyone has experienced a sunburn’s trademark red, sensitive skin. A sunburn can cause discomfort for a few days, but repeated burns can also increase your risk for skin cancer. To prevent sunburns, apply plenty of sunscreen throughout the day and limit sunbathing to 20 minutes per day. You can also wear hats, sunglasses and other forms of protective clothing. If you do suffer a burn, apply aloe vera gel and other after-sun products until the pain fades.
- Heat Exhaustion: You may suffer from heat exhaustion if your body is unable to rid itself of excess heat quickly enough. Apart from this increase in body temperature, other symptoms include headache, dizziness and pale or damp skin. Be sure to take breaks from the heat in cooler areas, especially if you’re engaging in rigorous activities. If you begin feeling overheated, find the quickest way to cool your body, which may mean jumping in the water or taking a cool shower.
On top of protecting yourself on the water, it’s also crucial to protect your vessel. Make sure your boat insurance policy is up to date and includes all the desired coverage options.
Let’s review your policy. Call us for more information on boat insurance.