Tips | Hazards

• Sunburn and heatstroke are very real problems when you're out on the waves in the heat of the tropical sun. Sunblock is essential, and most surfers wear a rash-vest as well.
• Insects, especially the stinging variety, can be bothersome, annoying, and sometimes downright dangerous. Avoid open-air eating areas. Avoid highly perfumed products. Many soaps, shampoos, and lotions contain strong fragrances that attract insects.
• Higher altitudes tend to have lower insect populations, and hence less risk of insect bites. The best bet is to follow some simple precautions to avoid stinging, buzzing bugs, and thereby have a more pleasant holiday:
• Avoid swimming in small ponds or pools of water. Stagnant water is the favorite breeding ground of mosquitoes. Also, mosquitoes come out to feed at dusk, so try and remain indoors during this time. While camping, remember to take along mosquito netting as an added precaution.
• Don't lie on the bare grass or sand. Always use a towel, mat, or blanket between you and the ground. Don't lay your clothes directly on the ground, since the perspiration or other scents on them may attract insects. Hang your clothes up, and always remember to shake them out before wearing them again. Always remember to shake out your shoes and socks before putting them back on.
• Use tweezers to remove any kind of sting from the surface of the skin. Apply them as close as possible to the point of entry and pull slowly and steadily until the sting comes out. Exception: never remove a bee's stinger by squeezing it. Instead, use a credit card, fingernail, or other semi-rigid flat object to scrape it off your skin, being careful not to squeeze the attached sac.
• To minimize chemical exposure, dress in shoes, socks, pants, and long-sleeved shirts, so you can spray your clothing instead of large areas of skin. Apply repellent sparingly to the remaining exposed skin.
• Remember to reapply the repellent every few hours, as the effectiveness wears off over time. Always reapply repellent after swimming, heavy perspiration, or exposure to rain, as water may reduce its effectiveness.