Safe Spring Break
Hit the Bricks Checklist
Have you Secured Your Dorm, Home or Car?
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Tips about Alcohol
Tips about Sex
First Aid
Hit the Bricks Basic Checklist
Frequent travelers have a knack
For knowing exactly what to pack.
It's not a case of 'everything goes' . . . rather
Start at your head and work down to your toes!
- Shampoo, conditioner, brush/comb, hairdryer, styling implements
- Contact lens solutions, prescription glasses & sunglasses
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
- Prescription medicines & refills, including birth control pills
- Over-the-counter medications . . . . aspirin, anti-motion sickness meds, anti-diarrhetics, antacids, antihistamines, Midol, vitamins
- Sunscreen and sun-protective lip balm
- Shaving cream/razor, aftershave
- Deodorant, favorite soap, perfume
- Body moisture lotion, face cream & cosmetics
- Personal care items . . . . condoms, lubricant, contraceptives, tampons/pads
- Basic FIRST AID KIT
Don't Forget:
- Camera/film/batteries
- Hat or sun visor
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit/towel
- Books/magazines
- Light colored, lightweight clothing
- Long sleeved T-shirt or other cover-up
- A comfortable pair of walking shoes
- Sweater or sweatshirt for cool evenings
- Alarm clock
- Sports-related equipment
- Flashlight
- Telephone credit card
- Personal Identification
Have You Secured Your Dorm, Home or Car?
- Light timers set
- Windows & doors locked (don't leave a spare key hidden outside your room)
- Answering machine on, telephone ringer off (don't leave a message saying that you are gone)
- Let someone at home or a trusted neighbor know where you are staying and how to reach you
- If leaving your car, make sure you park it in a safe, legal spot.
- If taking your car, check your car's belts, oil, hose, & tires.
- Make sure you have enough gas & money to arrive at your destination & return home.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Buying Sunglasses???
The next time you buy sunglasses, checkout the label before you make your purchase. The FDA has implemented a system to help you decide which type of lens is best to block out harmful UV rays A and B.
- Cosmetic: provides the least protection and is for those activities conducted in indirect light. Less than 60% of visible light, 70% of UVB rays and only 20% of UVA rays are blocked.
- General Purpose: adequate for most outdoor activities. 60-92% visible light, 99% UVB and 60% UVA rays are blocked.
- Special Purpose: especially useful on tropical beaches and ski slopes. 97% of visible light, 99% UVB and 60% UVA rays are blocked.
9 out of 10 women prefer sunblock over wrinkles!
This is spring break not spring bake! Avoid mid-day sun. The sun's UVB rays are most intense between the hours of 10am to 3pm. UVA rays that contribute to premature skin aging are present all day. Surfaces, such as water, sand, cement, or snow can reflect harmful radiation. Don't think you're ok in the shade!
So which sunblock? Depends on your skin type. If you burn easily, a high SPF is necessary (30 or higher). If you tan easily, you still need a sunblock. Oils, tan accelerators, and low SPF sunblocks do not protect your skin. Make sure you re-apply your sunblock, especially if you swim/sweat.
A sun hat, long sleeves and long pants can help protect you somewhat, but not completely.
Also, be careful at higher altitudes and lower altitudes: solar radiation increases 4-5% with every 1,000 feet above sea level.
An Easy Pill to Swallow
Taking medications and heading to the beach or to the ski slopes? Some common medications and the sun don't mix. A phototoxic reaction may occur after just one dose of medication, when the skin is exposed to the sun. The reaction almost always appears as an exaggerated sunburn (rash, redness, swelling). The symptoms may appear anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after sun exposure but could be delayed for days.
If you are taking any of the following medications, watch out!! Birth Control pills, Sulfa drugs, penicillin, tetracyclines, antihistamines, non-steroid anti-inflammatories. There are other medications, so ask your pharmacist or health care provider for advice.
8 Ways to Protect Yourself From the Sun
- AVOID MID-DAY SUN. The sun's UVB rays are most intense between the hours of 10am to 3pm. However, the UVA rays that contribute to premature skin aging are present all day.
- BE CAREFUL AT HIGHER & LOWER ALTITUDES. Solar radiation increases 4 to 5% with every 1000 feet above sea level.
- COVER UP. Although clothing does not completely protect from the sun's rays, a sun hat, long sleeves, and long pants can help.
- BE AWARE OF REFLECTED LIGHT. Many surfaces -- sand, cement, water, and snow -- can reflect harmful radiation. Be careful on cloudy days when up to 80% of the sun's radiation reaches the ground.
- DON'T MIX SUN AND CERTAIN MEDICATIONS.
- BE SURE TO USE A SUNBLOCK AND REMEMBER TO REAPPLY IT. Reapply it if you towel dry or if you have been in the water. Remember, a sunblock will only provide protection for the length of time indicated by the sun protection factor number.
- EXAMINE YOUR SKIN REGULARLY. Be on the lookout for any new raised growths, itchy patches, non-healing sores, or changes in moles or new colored areas that might signify a form of cancer.
- KEEP HYDRATED. Make sure you drink water, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages while on the beach or slopes. Alcohol dehydrates your body, which is the main contributor to hangovers!
Tips About Alcohol
Dehydration
Ahhh! To relax in the sun. Nothing like a cold one while you're lying out, catching rays. You may want to give that a second thought! Alcohol dehydrates the body; when you add the sun and salt on the skin, you've set your body up for dehydration. Make sure you drink non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages to replace body fluid you're losing.
Otherwise, you may show signs of dehydration: Dizziness (especially if consuming alcohol); an imbalance of potassium and sodium chlorides which leads to arrhythmia; weakness; muscle spasms; passing out; confusion. Warning signs of pending dehydration is dark urine or infrequent urination.
Hangovers
Everyone knows the symptoms of a hangover: Headaches; vomiting or nausea; "cotton mouth"; fatigue. Many do not know that a hangover is a mild form of alcohol withdrawal! Some symptoms are a rebound
effect of alcohol on the nervous system. Other symptoms are due to a depletion of glucose and oxygen to the brain. Just remember, drinking too much too quickly on an empty stomach is a formula for a hangover.
To avoid a hangover: don't drink so much (duh!), sip, don't gulp your drinks; have food in your stomach when you drink; pace your drinks=one drink per hour if you're a guy and 1.5 hours for girls;
never mix alcohol with prescription drugs or illicit drugs (especially depressant drugs like GHB); alternate a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic drinks; do not pressure yourself or others to drink more.
Sooooo Hot!
"Wow! Look at that!" Ok, spring break is a time to meet new people and a lot of the time, it's when you're drinking. Realize that alcohol and sex make for an unsafe combination. While a small amount of alcohol acts as a "social lubricant", more alcohol brings forth a drastic change in the physiology of the sexual response:
- In men, less intense orgasms, difficulty in obtaining and maintaining an erection, erectile impotence, ejaculatory impotence & painful ejaculation.
- In women, increased alcohol brings less intense orgasms, fewer or no orgasms, lassitude and loss of lubrication, which in turn produces painful intercourse.
Too much alcohol contributes to miscommunication and misreading intent, which can lead to unwanted sex or rape. Of college women involved in acquaintance rape, 55% were using alcohol/drugs; of men involved, 75% were using at the time of the crime.
% of college women who were intoxicated at time of conception: 66%
% of college women who were intoxicated when contracted an STD: 60%
Girls, be smart! Don't put your drink down and then drink it. Also, never accept a drink that you didn't see the bartender make.
Alcohol is not a good mixer for sex. Keep it fun!
Tips About Sex
At Least Remember Your Rubbers!
"But it's so embarrassing!" Get over it; if you're going to have sex with this person, you can talk about condoms! Besides STDs are more embarrassing than a condom!
"It really turned me on when she put the condom on me. I knew she cared about herself, and about me, too. When we have sex, our minds are on each other, not some disease or pregnancy."
"I'm always thinking I'll climax too soon. For me, a condom makes me feel less anxious and I last longer."
"Sometimes sex feels uncomfortable because I don't get wet enough, especially when I've had a drink or two. So I ask him to use a lubricated condom and we enjoy each other more."
"I was so relieved that he suggested a condom. He was really glad to see I had one, too. We had a great time."
First Aid
Ankle Injuries: (RICE) Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate. Ice should be applied 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Seek help if foot or toes are numb, tingling, or if weight bearing is not possible.
Blisters: The fluid under a blister is a good Band-Aid; do not pop unless the blister is on an area where it will rub open on its own. If draining is needed, wash the blister gently with soap and water, then use a sterile needle and put several small holes around the edges of the blister. Leave the skin on top, as it will protect the new skin forming underneath.
Diarrhea: Reduce diet to clear liquids and advance slowly to soft, complex carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta, rice), without fatty toppings. If diarrhea persists more than 4 days, avoid dairy products for two weeks. Sometimes excessive amounts of fruits or fruit juices can make it worse.
Fainting: Place person on the ground; elevate feet. Observe.
Fever: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed. Drink at least 8 oz. of water with any medication taken by mouth.
Heatstroke: Prevention is the best medicine. Prepare for the heat by increasing fluids prior to heat exposure. Cool the skin with wet cloths, increase intake of fluids, and seek help if sweating decreases and disorientation occurs.
Nose Bleeds: Sit upright, lean slightly forward, and pinch the nostrils for 5-10 minutes. Do not clear the nose by blowing or by removing the clots. Seek help if the nose continues to bleed after 10-15 minutes.
Poison Ivy: "Leaves of three, let them be." If exposed to poison ivy, thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. Calamine lotion may decrease itching and help dry blisters. Remember that the oil from poison ivy can remain on clothes wash them separately from other clothing.
Seizures: Call 911; keep the person lying down; protect the head from injury; turn on the side if possible to provide an airway.
Splinters: Wash the area with soap and water (do not soak wood splinters because they will break into little pieces.) Attempt to remove with tweezers. If deeply embedded, medical help may be sought.
Ticks: Wash with soap and water and use tweezers to slowly tug on the ticks as close to the head as possible. If the head remains you should seek medical help.
For more information:
Office of Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention
Station B 1508
Nashville TN 37235
(615) 343-4740
FAX (615) 343-8081
