![\"\"](\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kersdag-027-LOGO-300x225.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nThe summer is once again upon us and most of us love the sun, whether we are going to the beach or the bush, but remember Africa is not for sissies.<\/p>\n
Be a sissie and slap on the sunscreen, put on your hat and slip on some long sleeves.\u00a0 Always be prepared for the unexpected when you take on mama Africa\u2019s sun.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
THE HOT<\/em> AND THE SHORT<\/strong><\/p>\n We all know that we should not embark on a walking trail without a bottle of water in \u00a0your backpack, but\u00a0 this also applies when you are in your vehicle searching for those elusive birds or animals to tick the checklist.\u00a0 As soon as you start feeling thirsty you are becoming dehydrated.\u00a0 Remember to consume enough fluids even if you are not very active.<\/p>\n I always have to keep an eye on myself to consume enough fluids, especially when we are travelling, as consuming fluids while travelling brings on other interesting experiences when using public toilet facilities.\u00a0 The long and the short is that an adult person should consume four to six liters of water per day (including those in foods) to keep the body properly hydrated and healthy.\u00a0 Remember in extreme conditions you have to up your consumption of fluids drastically.\u00a0 We found that in Cote d\u2019Ivoire and Sierra Leone, being on the equator where humidity is very high every day, you sweat a lot and we easily consumed up to 10 litres of water per day to keep our hydration levels up to standard and to avoid running into health problems.\u00a0 Occasionally we did miss our liquid intake targets and like clockwork we ran into health issues!<\/p>\n Also take cognisance that the elderly is more susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration.\u00a0 As we age the skin gets thinner so sunburn and skin damage will happen a lot quicker.\u00a0 \u00a0Be on the lookout for the symptoms and act quickly.<\/p>\n TELL TALE SIGNS TO NOTE<\/strong><\/p>\n So what are the signs of dehydration?<\/p>\n My first signs are normally a headache accompanied by a lethargic feeling.\u00a0 \u00a0Signs vary from person to person, but dark yellow urine and a skin that do not return quickly to the original smooth position when pinched and dark circles or puffy skin under the eyes are all indicators of note.<\/p>\n HOW TO PREVENT IT<\/strong><\/p>\n Wear a hat with a wide brim that provides shade to sensitive areas like your nose, cheekbones and ears.\u00a0 My nose is my problem area for sunburn, but it is not always easy to protect it fully unless you want to look like the famous cricketer, Allan Donald.<\/p>\n Wear good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.\u00a0 My Diesel sunglasses has served me well on numerous trips in Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n If you turn from a white crab to a red crayfish from a little bit of sun, slap on the sunscreen and wear thin breathable (i.e. cotton) long sleeve shirts.\u00a0 For some it may look silly, but it is highly effective!<\/p>\n Remember to cover your feet or slap on some sunscreen, especially when you are on a boat on the water.\u00a0 Hubby turned from crab to crayfish while on a dhow in Mozambique and learnt this lesson the hard way!<\/p>\n Seek some shade during the heat of the day between\u00a0 11:00-15:00.\u00a0 Take a\u00a0 nap, read a book, sit under a tree, go to a shop and buy your food for the night, do whatever your fancy is for that four hours of the day.\u00a0 That is when the sun\u2019s rays are the most dangerous.<\/p>\n Damage to the skin caused by the sun is cumulative and you will only discover the damage in later years.<\/p>\n EMERGENCY RESCUE<\/strong><\/p>\n Keep rehydration sachets such as Rehydrate <\/em>in your medical kit.\u00a0 In Africa you will find it almost anywhere, but if you cannot get hold of it concoct your own, like the locals.\u00a0 The recipe helped me out of some difficult situations in the past:<\/p>\n RECIPE:<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1 x tin of Sprite<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Loch-Maree-April.2016-114-logo-300x225.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/IMG_1778-LOGO-300x200.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n