Trip Tips #6: Beating the Heat

The sun is a wonderful yet dangerous companion, so here are some ways to maintain a safe friendship.

"Travel is one of the finest and most life-enhancing stimulants to health, happiness and longevity."

"Oh, it was a wonderful place. Great people, great food, great everything -- but the heat! It almost laid us out every day. I just don't know how the locals can live in that heat!"

How often have you heard that complaint, the bane of travelers everywhere.

Well, the locals, more than likely, are sweating too. (It's actually very healthy. Start to worry if you don't. It possibly means you're dehydrated, which is far more serious than damp clothes and a perspiration-dripping brow!)

But it's still not pleasant -- so watch what the locals do and consider the following tips:

Obvious suggestion -- wear loose, lightweight and light colored layers of clothing (take plenty of changes too).
Buy a local, lightweight, broad-brimmed hat . In places like Australia and Africa, where the heat is often accompanied by extremely irritating and persistent flies and bugs, you buy them with built-in roll-down fly netting. It can reduce your clarity of vision a little but it's worth it just to keep the cantankerous little critters out of your nostrils, eyes and ears. There are also hats with tiny built-in battery-powered fans. They look a little zany but they work -- or at least they feel as though they work!
Buy an inexpensive opaque-material umbrella (lightweight and small diameter) and relish the solace of the shade it will provide.
Drink, drink, drink -- safe bottled (or boiled) water rather than beer or alcohol, which will just open up your pesky pores and make you sweat even more!
Re-energize and re-hydrate your system by daily multivitamins and occasional "sugar and salt" cocktails (an 8:1 preparation in water is usually about right).
Sleep (like the locals) in the hottest parts of the day and come out to play in the cooler evening, refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to romp 'til dawn.
Carry a small battery-powered fan and use it as you walk or place it on a table at the appropriate angle when you're relaxing.
Stay in the shade! Another obvious suggestion, but it's amazing how many people forget that the shade in tropical countries can be up to 30% cooler.
Strange as it might seem -- iced drinks can make you perspire more but they feel great going down. It's your call!
Those little packs of perfumed moist towelettes are useful too if you don't mind smelling like a ladies boudoir (ladies of course have no problem with this). They may not stop the perspiration for long but they feel cool and that's half the battle. (It's the evaporation of the alcohol in the towelette that gives the illusion of coolness.)
If you must bask and bathe in the burning sun forget the tanning oil (unless you want to fry!) and focus on total sunblock or very high SPF sunscreen applied 30 minutes prior to exposure and renewed every couple of hours or after every swim. True, your tan may not have quite the same rich bronzed tone you hoped for but you'll save yourself the agony of sunburn and the angst of possible skin cancer later on in life (far more serious than it sounds).
Watch out for sneaky sunburn . Those times when your body feels cool on a scorching hot day -- such as when you're strolling around in a loose weave shirt, swimming, or in an open boat with the wind blowing in your hair -- the ultraviolet rays of the sun burn just as fiercely in such situations and the danger of severe scorching is exacerbated by your obliviousness to the heat. If it does get you with a sneak attack try a simple home remedy: 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a cup of water gently smoothed onto the burnt areas. Lavender oil and vitamin E oil are also effective.
If things go to a little too far in the sun, one result can be heat stroke , often indicated by fever, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse or breathing, and or mental confusion. The problem is you can't always spot the symptoms until they are well developed, but what you need immediately are: a cool place, removal of excess clothing, and rapid temperature reduction by fans, air conditioning, cold water towel wraps, etc. And although it may sound odd -- avoid any eating or drinking. If the situation worsens then obviously you'll need emergency treatment. This is a dangerous condition and must be remedied promptly.
Similarly for heat exhaustion . While not quite so serious as heat stroke, this often occurs if you're working or exercising in hot weather without sufficient fluid consumption. One key symptom is the lack of perspiration to cool the body -- an obvious sign of dehydration. This time, in addition to the cooling methods described in heat stroke, fluid intake is vital and often best in the form of salt water or the oral rehydration mix of sugar and salt (8:1) in water (or pre-mixed products such as Electrolade or Rehidrat etc.). Avoid alcohol or caffeine.

Heat and sunshine are great tonics for tired bodies and minds. The key is protection and moderation. Remember the old adage: "Moderation in all things -- including moderation!"

Source

Author's multisource research and 30 years experience as a professional travel writer, publisher, and editor.

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The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel by J.L. Widzer Safety and Security for Women Who Travel by S. Swan and P. Laufer The Practical Nomad by E. Hasbrouck

Created on: 12/28/2001
Reviewed on: 09/04/2009

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