I know. I’m a member of that tormented tourist tribe. That’s the main reason I contacted professionals in all corners of the travel industry for their advice on how to avoid making similar mistakes. Traveling should be a joyful adventure, after all, not a trip that includes a visit to the nearest emergency room. This summer as thousands of Bay Area residents fling their swimsuits into suitcases and zoom off to vacation nirvana, minor accidents and health mishaps are bound to increase. Last Memorial Day, the American Automobile Association reported that more than 3.7 million Californians drove and another 419,000 flew to destinations near and far. During this year’s stronger economy, even more travelers are expected to hit the highways and the skies. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of simple and effective strategies for keeping out of harm’s way while in the air, on the ground or at sea. USER FRIENDLY SKIE S Going to hop a plane soon? Make sure you are as rested and fit as possible. Get quality sleep the evening prior to departure. When you board the aircraft, keep your meds with you. Flight attendants are not allowed to dispense medications. To avoid germs, wipe off the tray table and armrest with an antibacterial wipe, and wash your hands often. Yuko Query, a flight attendant with Delta Airlines, stresses that passengers need 70 South Bay Accent some of us seem to forget to pack our brains. Consider this Sunnyvale couple off to a honeymoon in Fiji, the quintessential trip of a lifetime. Their all-day boating excursion to the white sands of Beachcomber Island became a painful lesson in learning to respect the powerful rays of an equatorial sun. Having neglected to wear hats or apply sunscreen, the newlyweds were scorched from head to toe, front and back by the time they returned to their hotel. For the next three days, they had no choice but to lie motionless on separate queen beds. When they finally stood up with their arms and legs outstretched, they resembled two red scarecrows teetering on their tiptoes. Their skin peeled off in soft sheets. “Enough,” says the bride, “to roll into two softballs.” And even though they laugh about it now, they will never forget the painful sensation of being severely sunburned. I know how they felt. My husband, Frank, and I once forgot to protect ourselves from equatorial sun and paid a brutal price for our carelessness. Our skin felt like it was on fire for days. Along with the Sunnyvale couple, we could have avoided sunburn by regularly applying a broadspectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Experts say to layer sunscreen with SPF 50 or 50-plus on thin-skinned areas such as nose, ears and back of hands. “Try to stay out of the sun during peak hours, and plan your activities in the to stay hydrated because the cabin pressure dries out their system. “As working crew, I can easily finish one 1.5-liter bottle of water on a six-hour flight. It’s amazing how much your body needs when you’re up in the air. If you’re thirsty, don’t hesitate to ring the call light.” The flight attendants on Delta are required to make water walks regularly throughout the cabin, she says. Don’t mix alcohol with medications. This can cause sickness and other potentially dangerous reactions, physicians warn. Also, drinking too much alcohol is a recipe for disaster. “Many people think they can drink as much as they usually do, not realizing that they are more affected by alcohol at high altitude,” Query says. She’s seen passengers become ill after consuming very little alcohol. The small supply of oxygen in recycled air hastens intoxication, Query says. Increasing your blood circulation is highly recommended. On long flights, get up and walk the cabin, especially if you are stuck in a middle seat, Query advises. You also can perform stretches in the galley. “Sitting in one place too long, people have gotten blood clots in their legs,” she warns. While in your seat, roll your ankles or bring your knees up to your chest for circulation.” BLOCK THO SE R AYS One approach to safe travel is to make sure you’re protected from the elements, but when gallivanting to foreign shores, One approach to safe travel is to make sure you’re protected from the elements, but when gallivanting to foreign shores, some of us seem to forget to pack our brains.
South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2016
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