Bugs, sunburn and rafting

Advice is something that most of us avoid. It is seldom listened to and never used. I'm going to issue some anyway. You can read the comics instead if you'd rather.

It has been a v-e-r-y miserable spring. Finally the hot weather and suddenly cool water for swimming and rafting sound wonderful. Rafting is a popular sport, but don't consider it without a few precautions. Life jackets! And don't take the kids if you think it is even slightly dangerous. You can't save your children if you can't keep yourself above water. I have lived on the Walker River, and rivers can be dangerous. The water might look slow, but there are a lot of hidden logs under the water that you can't see because of the high silt level. Water is an unforgiving force; it can submerge you and hold you down. Even a life jacket cannot save you in this circumstance.

Skin is made to protect the rest of your body, but it requires a bit of protecting itself. Don't go into the sun without proper cover, whether with sun screen lotion or cover-up clothes.

Especially think about your kids. They rely on your judgment and protection. If you send your children to camp for the day, apply the sun screen before you dress them. And educate kids on its application during the day. Don't buy anything less than 25 protection. The higher the protection factor, the better. I have one scientific paper that states that if you use sun protection factor 15 or higher during the first 18 years of life, it can cut the incidence of skin cancer as much as 70 percent. Also, watch your elevation. The higher the altitude, the more chance for sun skin damage.

Dehydration can be a problem for both you and your kids, so see to it that you all get plenty of liquid at frequent intervals. A person who is depleted of fluid can suddenly develop heat stroke, a severe and often deadly condition. Don't take chances. Drink plenty of liquids while you play in the sun.

Bugs. They are out by the millions this season. And some of them carry disease. Protection is essential, especially from the deer tick. It carries Lyme disease and it isn't pleasant. Kids are easily bitten because of their ability to range in areas that adults don't. Bushes that are the height of a deer will scrape off the ticks and reapply them to the next host, which could be you or your child. Check with your doctor and find a bug spray that will be safe for you and the kids. Spray your clothes. If you hike or backpack, wear long pants and tuck them into boots or socks to keep the ticks from climbing into clothing. Then watch for those distinctive bites that spread with radiating circular areas and see your doctor.

Jerry Vance is certified by the American Council on Exercise and teaches fitness at the Carson City Community Center and Healthsmart.