Surf Life Saving Australia

Preventing Sun Damage

As part of your duty of care to yourself, you should take all measures to protect yourself against the sun’s deadly and dangerous UV radiation. As indicated in the SLSA Environmental Factors Guideline for sun safety, important prevention measures can be remembered by the six Ss:

1. Seek shade

  • Stay in the natural or man-made shade whenever possible.
  • Use SunSmart’s Shade Audit Tool that allows you to assess the quality and need for shade at various sites within your location.

2. Slip into protective clothing

  • Protect yourself with shoes and loose-fitting clothing made of UPF 50+ close-weave material. Start with long patrol shorts and a patrol shirt with long sleeves and collar or an appropriate rash shirt or wetsuit if in or on the water.

3. Slop on some sunscreen

  • Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply it every 2–3 hours, or more often after swimming, sweating or exercise.
  • Physical sunscreens such as Zinc cream are good to use on the lips and other small, sensitive areas.
  • Remember, never use sunscreen to extend the time you spend in the sun or as your only form of sun protection.
  • Use a high-protection (SPF 30+ or SPF 50+), broad‑spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on the face, neck and other areas of the skin that cannot be covered with clothing.
  • Use a different type of sunscreen for the skin on your body and your face.

4. Slap on a hat

  • Hats should protect your face, head, neck and ears from the sun’s UV rays.
  • Ideally hats should be made of a close-weave material.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat with a non-reflective underside of the brim (minimum brim width of 8 cm). Alternatively wear a ‘legionnaire’ style hat with side pieces.

5. Slide on some sunglasses

  • Use only sunglasses that conform to Australian Standards for eye and face protection—block 100 per cent of the sun’s UV rays and have an eye protection factor (‘EPF’) of 10 at least.
  • Sunglasses should also be curved or have side pieces to prevent UV rays entering from the sides.

6. Study the UV index

  • Take care to avoid sunshine when the UV index is 3 or above (as indicated by the Bureau of Meteorology ).
  • UV radiation levels are highest during the middle of the day, which is often when there are more beachgoers.

Note:

  • Remember to protect yourself from the sunlight reflected from the surfaces of the water and sand.
  • Do not break any blisters or apply lotions, ointments, creams or powders other than hydrogel to sunburnt skin.
  • Do not use ice or ice water to cool a sunburn as further tissue damage may result.
  • If your skin shows signs of sunburn (‘radiation burn’) while on patrol, seek shade and cool your sunburnt skin with cool running water for 20 minutes while also drinking small amounts of clear fluids. Drink extra fluids and moisturise to stay hydrated in the days following a sunburn.
  • Seek medical advice if you experience blistering near 10 per cent of your body or if you are in doubt.