Sailing Safety - Health Risks
Though major injuries seldom happen in Sailing, it is very important to be prepared and to take safety measures. There are several Health Risks that you may experience while on the water, and it is a matter of importance that you know their causes and how to treat and prevent them.
In this section, know how to deal with various Health Risks that you may encounter when you go Sailing:
Seasickness
Also called Motion Sickness, Seasickness is related to the disturbance in the sense of balance and equilibrium (spatial orientation) of the body. The sense of spatial orientation is affected by four mechanisms - inner ears, eyes, skin pressure receptors, and muscle and joint sensory neural receptors. If the information from each mechanism does not correspond, Seasickness develops.
- Symptoms
Drowsiness, dizziness, nauseous feeling, pale skin, and having cold sweat are common symptoms of Seasickness.
- Prevention
Take preventive treatments before sailing. There are over-the-counter drugs which can help prevent Seasickness. However, some drugs may cause drowsiness, so it is better to check beforehand or see your doctor.
Before and while on the water, avoid alcoholic drinks and spicy or rich foods.
Too much sun exposure
Overexposure to the sun can lead to many serious injuries. There are many ways to prevent too much sun exposure:
Prevention:
- Always apply sunscreen.
- Avoid getting sunburn by wearing appropriate clothes.
- Wear UV sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun's glare and to avoid eye strain.
Dehydration
This is a health condition caused by an excessive loss of water from the body. Sailing, especially in summer, can increase your body heat. The body will try to cool you down by sweating. This can lead to Dehydration if the fluids in the body are not replenished. Severe cases can be life-threatening.
- Symptoms
Warning signs of Dehydration include dryness of mouth, dizziness, and headache.
- Prevention / Treatment
Replenish the fluids lost in the body. Drink plenty of water and try not to stay out in the sun too much. Severe cases may require medical assistance.
These are some of the Health Risks that you may encounter onboard. Take the necessary preventive measures before going onboard in order to lessen the chances of having to deal with them.
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
Home
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
