Introduction
You need to prepare for your adventures, especially when water is involved. While a day out in the water is fun and a great way to exercise, you need to take precautions to stay safe. You need to stay energized when swimming and you also need to keep your belongings stored in a dry place.
Here we have five essentials that tackle those concerns. You’ll need these for every trip that is going to encounter water, so you can stay safe when swimming or performing other water-based activities. For more specific water gear, the Snorkel Around The World Team has you covered.
Water
First, you’re going to need more water. That’s right, just because you’re going to a body of water, you’ll still need to bring more to drink. Water for swimming is either saltwater, treated with chlorine, or untreated and so may have harmful material in it if ingested, depending on where you are swimming.
You’ll want to stay hydrated during your trip, especially if the temperature is high. Many water-based vacations take place in the summer or in countries with hot climates, where it’s even more important for you to be properly hydrated.
Remember that swimming is a physical activity, so you’ll actually sweat and lose body hydration throughout the day. Bring a day’s supply of water, or a refillable bottle if there is a way to refill it nearby. A day’s supply is typically 2 liters of water, for reference. If you’re camping and sourcing your water from the wilderness, water purification tablets can make it drinkable.
Food
As we said, staying energized is very important when you’re swimming. Swimming is one of the most stamina-based exercises you can perform. If you run out of energy, you can even risk drowning. You may be doing other things too, like climbing and other outdoorsman activities.
If you’re going to a venue, make sure you have food arrangements and eat your fill during the day. If you’re camping or you’re far from the nearest rest stop, you should pack the same foods that hikers prefer. Those would be trail mixes made up of nuts, fruits, and meat jerkies, all great sources of protein and carbohydrates.
First Aid Kit
Being prepared is important, no matter where you’re going. Packing a first aid kit of any size is a great way to keep yourself and others safe. You can keep one in your car for easy access in most scenarios.
They contain gauze, bandages, and antibacterial treatment so that wounds can be cleaned and dressed. The likelihood of an open wound in water is small but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you’re further afield, your chances of experiencing some kind of wound increase, if only slightly. Maybe you’re swimming somewhere where there’s a possibility of leeches or water-based snakes, where first aid kits can help.
Kits are made to be compact and easily stored. You can keep yours in your dry box, our next essential.
Dry Box
You’ll need somewhere to store your clothing and other personal effects when in the water. A dry box keeps these safe from the elements, where they can get damaged or stolen.
They come in all sizes, so you should easily be able to find boxes that cater to your belongings. They’re especially important if you have electronics, which are vulnerable to water and expensive to repair or replace should they get damaged.
They don’t just protect from the water, either. They are also resistant to outside air, smoke, dust, and even UV rays. When your items are in a dry box, they are wholly protected from the outside world unless somebody gets into them.
Sunscreen
Lastly, you’ll want to bring some sunscreen. Sunscreen should be on your list anyway if you live in a climate that has high sun exposure. Remember that it doesn’t need to be a warm day for the sun to damage your skin.
You should bring sunscreen because water amplifies sun rays. Just like how snow reflects light back up at us, water does the same and can make sunburn worse. Even light sand will do this too, which is why sunscreen is essential for the beach. Unlike sand and snow, water will cling to you in droplets that amplify the light rays that pass through them.
