Page 4
Copyright Wet Paper Publications 2014
The skin
Your skin is your body's first line of defence against
external threats, such as sunlight, cold weather, dirt, dust
and viruses. It provides your body with a robust barrier
of protection from injury and infection.
Blood vessels, hairs and sweat glands in your skin play
a vital role in managing your body temperature (Figure
4.2)
When you are hot and need to cool down, the blood
vessels in your skin expand and allow heat to escape.
You also start sweating and your hairs lie flat to allow
the escaping heat to pass out of the body.
When you are cold and need to retain heat, the opposite
happens. Your blood vessels tighten, you produce far
less sweat and your hairs stand on end in an attempt to
trap warm air around your body.
Sun exposure
Snorkellers are constantly exposed to the sun and must
take precautions to avoid dehydration, overheating and
getting sun burnt. Sun burn is a major problem.
Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer. Fair-
skinned people with reddish or fair hair are at greatest
risk; people with an olive complexion and dark hair have
a lower risk, but still require protection.
Education stakeholder programs
The experience of more than 25 years of skin cancer
prevention in Australia shows broad-based public
education programs can have an impact on improving a
population's sun protective behaviours and reducing
sunburn, a short-term marker of skin cancer risk.
ALWAYS protect the skin
from harmful rays by
covering up with a
wetsuit or rashie or use
50plus sunscreen.
At night it often gets very
cold at sea and you
should ensure you have
adequate clothing.
During the day look for
situations that could
involve sunburn or create
overexposure and slip on
a shirt, slop on some
sunscreen and slap on a
hat.
SLIP SLOP SLAP
Effect on cancer rates
Since this campaign was introduced along with
advertisements and a jingle, the incidence of the two
most common forms of skin cancer (basal-cell
carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) in Australia
has decreased. However, the incidence of melanoma -
the most lethal form of skin cancer - has increased.
As you will probably arrange a doctors visit to check
your health before signing your medical disclosure, you
may wish to have a skin check at the same time.
Figure 4.1 Increased protection is required when on the water
Bob Moffatt
Figure 4.2 Generalised drawing of the skin
Bob Moffatt
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