Sun and Insect Protection and Where to Get Them

 

Here is a guide to staying safe and protected against insects, bugs, mosquitos, no-seeums, midges and the sun!

Clothing and personal gear to protect against the sun

1. Sun hat - This wide-brimmed sun hat gets great reviews, wide brim, covers the back of your neck - and it has a strap under the chin, which is vital, because otherwise one good breeze and it is gone.
2.  UPF30+ long-sleeve shirts, for sun protection. They say to bring 2. I think 2 would be enough. Both Costco and Sam's Club have these ultra-lightweight shirts for $10 - $20 in March - May. They DO sell out! The ones with a hoodie are recommended.
3. Polarized sunglasses with a strap - Since you might drop them overboard, you probably want cheap glasses, and a strap for them. This strap floats the glasses. One suggestion is to get polarized sunglasses at Zenni Optical. They have prescription if you need them, or non-prescription if you don't. They're really inexpensive, but decent.
4. Neck Gaiter (aka, a "Buff") - The point here is to protect your neck from the brutal sun.  Better than sunscreen. And believe me, the water and sand will reflect sun UP to your face, under your hat and burn you. So you use either this or more sun screen on your neck. Also good against bug bites on the neck and face.
5. Sunscreen - 16oz of 45 biodegradable reef-safe sunscreen, other than that, It's your personal preference. I've found that the mineral-based lotions like this Blue Lizard Sport SPF 50 Lotion have really improved and last all day. They are what many dermatologists recommend.  If space is an issue, Avon makes a combo sunscreen-bug repellant lotion.
   Blue Lizard is available at Costco, Wal-Mart and online for the same price, around $3.20/ounce and online it sells for a substantial discount in a 2-pack.
   

Insect Protection

1. Clothing/gear for Mosquito and No-Seeum / midge protection: 
   TThe No-Seeums can be fierce, especially at twilight in marshy freshwater areas. Sooo, if you will camp in these areas or be on a boat near an island, it could be very problematic. People report that Avon So-Soft skin lotion works as a no-seeum (but not mosquito) repellant, but their bites are SO miserable and lasting, I'm bring at least the head netting, which can be worn over any hat, to keep the netting off your face, such as when sleeping. If needed, your long sleeved sun shirt and pants, socks, gloves might work for the rest of the body. 
   a. Whole body (head, jacket, pants), Mosquito / No-See-Um Mesh suit, Super Light and Cool, or this one that ALSO includes hands and feet.
   b. Head: Ultra-Mesh Mosquito Head Net for Midges, No See-ums and Small Insects Head covering (goes over your hat).
   c. Upper body: Fine mesh bug jacket
   d. Legs: Fine mesh bug pants
   
2. Lotions (no aerosols are allowed, pumps sprays are)
   a. Avon So-Soft lotion - contains repellant for midges/no seeums. people rave about how effective it is against midgets at twilight.  They also say  with Picardin (i.e., Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard) works.
    
   b. Lipbalm with sunscreen - they say this is really necessary!
    
   d. Deet, good for mosquitos, less so for midges / no-seeums. No aerosols are aloowed on BSA camping outings.!
   
   

Sleeping gear

Most tents protect against bugs, but if it is very hot at night, you might consuder these options:

1. Mesh mini-tents for sleeping: 1-Person fine mesh sleeping tube tent
2.  If you need the smallest, this mesh netting to put your sleeping mat inside, this netting which you hook to something ABOVE you, would work.

OOther

1. Rain poncho - If it's summertime in the Deep South, Florida keys, Gulf, Carribean, Bahamas or Bermuda... then it's semi-tropical, so expect afternoon / evening thunderstorms. If you're in a swim suit and don't mind getting wet, skip this. After all, it should be too hot for a poncho.
2. Mini first aid kit with large bandages and tape, aloe vera lotion, hydrocortisone cream and a crew Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit: Every crew must provide their own first aid kit A Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit includes all items found in a traditional back country first aid kit.