LITTLE ROCK – When the heat index pushes into the triple digits on a regular basis, many Arkansans pack up and head to the lake for a day on the water. Whether you’re catching fish or catching rays, the added stress and fatigue of the sun and waves can sneak up on you if you don’t come prepared.
Overexposure to the sun and indulging in too many alcoholic beverages top the list of dangers that can turn an otherwise relaxing trip to the lake into a nightmare. Each year, game wardens and other first responders are called to boat ramps and shorelines throughout the state in response to someone who’s had a little too much of either.
Dodge high noon
The simplest way to beat the heat is to avoid fishing and boating when the overhead sun is blazing down. Summer fishing is best during the first few hours of daylight and dusk, leaving a lot of time to bake in the sun between. Instead of slogging through a sweaty day on the water, get to the lake early and pack up for a nap on shore or at home once the sun is high. If you’re not an early bird, plan to be on the water an hour or two before sunset and enjoy that end of the fishing day. Just be sure your navigation lights work properly so you can make your way back to the ramp safely if the fishing picks up and you stay out a bit later than planned.
Screen time
Most people remember running around during the heat of summer in a bathing suit or T-shirt and shorts, catching that “healthy tan” as a side effect of a day on the lake. Now, we know better. Not only can too much sun cause a nasty sunburn, but it can also cause long-term damage to the skin and even skin cancer.
Pay attention to a product’s sun protection factor. The higher the SPF number, the longer it lasts, but it isn’t a direct correlation to time. The number indicates the amount of shielding from UV radiation. An SPF of 30 allows 1/30th of the sun’s radiation through, meaning it would take 30 times longer to receive the same effects as unprotected skin.
