The Sun and I

Each summer visitors head to Mexico to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the warm water and, of course, the cold beer. Each summer a significant percentage of visitors manage to ruin the balance of their well-deserved vacations based upon what they do in the first few hours. Allow me to illustrate. John/Mary Smith arrive in PV (Puerto Vallarta) late morning. They departed the gloom of somewhere to enjoy all that Vallarta has to offer. Following a shuttle to their beachfront hotel, they check in; sprint into their swim suits and head for the pool. There they will lounge for the next few hours. Their sunny afternoon will be punctuated with intermittent swim-up excursions to the pool bar and time spent cradled in the pool side furniture. Circa 5 p.m. they contemplate returning to their room to shower and plan their first night out. As they re-enter the lobby, they are aware that the air conditioned environment fails to comfort them. They remove their dark glasses and stare at each other in horror. You have observed this scenario, right? Perhaps even participated in it, perhaps? The next few days, for this couple, will vividly demonstrate the adage of literally what a couple of ounces of prevention could have cured.

SPF (sun protective factor) and UVA/UVB (ultra violet A/B rays) are forces to be reckoned with. In preparation for writing this piece, I visited several technical websites. Here are their summarized recommendations. Acquire sunglasses which afford 99-100% UVA/UVB protection. Purchase sunscreen (the term sunblock is not allowed in the USA) with an SPF 30+. The container should include the phrase “Broad Spectrum.” This means that protection is afforded against both types of ultra-violet rays. 

Use these guidelines when applying sunscreen:

1.  Apply initial coating 30 minute before exposure.

2.  Re-apply 30 minutes after initial exposure.

3.  Re-apply after swimming, sweating or wiping

4.  Re-apply every two hours that you are exposed

Our visitors to Yelapa could benefit dramatically from adhering to the process identified above. Bear in mind that the UV rating changes throughout the day. If you arrive at the beach mid-morning when it is cool, the UV rating is likely to be around 4 (Moderate Risk). As mid-day arrives that reading approaches 11 (Extreme Risk); levels of 13 are not uncommon. Avoid the agony of being ill prepared. Enough said.  

    

The following table was prepared by the EPA.

UV index	Description	Media graphic color	Recommended protection
0–2	Low danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person	Green	Wear sunglasses on bright days; use sunscreen if there is snow on the ground, which reflects UV radiation, or if you have particularly fair skin.
3–5	Moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure	Yellow	Take precautions, such as covering up, if you will be outside. Stay in shade near midday when the sun is strongest.
6–7	High risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure	Orange	Wear sunglasses and use SPF 30+ sunscreen, cover the body with sun protective clothing and a wide-brim hat, and reduce time in the sun from three hours before to three hours after solar noon.
8–10	Very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure	Red	Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen, a shirt, sunglasses, and a hat. Do not stay out in the sun for too long.
11+	Extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure	Violet	Take all precautions, including: wear sunglasses and use SPF 30+ sunscreen, cover the body with a long-sleeve shirt and trousers, wear a very broad hat, and avoid the sun from three hours before until three hours after solar noon.

Commercial Break

Last week’s special continues: rent two kayaks for three hours at 100p each/hour and gain the use of a third kayak for the same period absolutely free. To check availability and schedule, call Memo @ 322 146 5064 (cell). Happy paddling.