Sun Protection for Lifeguards

Protection against the sun is a key element in everyday lifeguard practice.

by Virgil Dugo
Editors: Cody George

One of the hidden dangers of the outdoors is the sun. Lifeguards are exposed to high levels of sun and are at a higher risk for skin cancer. In fact, reported in a previous article “Sun Kissed Skin, is it Really That Healthy?” it was discussed how teenagers and young adults are at high risk for skin cancer because of their poor sunscreen habits, as well as lifeguards that are young adults being in the highest risk factors for skin cancer. With anything, prevention is the best medicine, and this prevention can come in the form of lifeguard hats. Among the reasons that lifeguards wear hats, protection comes as a top priority for anyone who works out in the sun.

Lifeguards that are in this high risk group for skin cancer do remember to apply protective sunscreen to their bodies, but often they forget to include their heads. By using a hat that has a wide brim, shade and protection from the sun is available and helps in preventing sunburn and skin cancer later in life. Many hats also have a rated SPF factor that can add to protection existing with sunscreen that may have been applied. There are many different types of lifeguard hats that can be used to protect the head, as well!

Straw hats and bucket hats are considered wide brim. Wide brim hats offer more protection than a sun visor, in that these products protect the eyes, scalp and neck area. The wide brim limits the amount of sun exposed to bare skin and may help prevent sunburn. Because of this limited sun exposure, risk of skin cancer is reduced later in life, as well as increased comfort levels for the lifeguard resulting from the shade that the hat creates.

A baseball cap only has a crown and a brim. The cap style of hat does protect the eyes and face from the sun, but leaves the neck and ears uncovered. This would be good for people who do apply sunscreen to their neck area and who are uncomfortable wearing a wide brim hat.

Finally, there are visors which only feature a brim. A visor covers mainly the facial area, leaving the crown of the head and the ears and neck unprotected. Visors and caps are preferred because they are light weight and can be more comfortable than wide brim hats.

Whichever style of hat you choose, make sure that the hat fits properly and covers the areas that you want protected. Remember to constantly re-apply sunscreen to further protect your head and neck area. You can find most of the listed styles of hats at sports and outdoor supply stores. Hats designed specifically for lifeguards that offer the Lifeguard logo can be found online at stores such as eLifeguard.com.

Editors Note: Please feel free to check out our other article “Sun Kissed Skin, is it Really That Healthy?” for more information on sun exposure, sunscreen, and cancer for the aquatic professional. ╚