As spring break quickly approaches, many students prepare to travel to exotic beach locations. Although spring break will be filled with sun and fun, there are potential health risks students should protect themselves against, experts said.

Sun Exposure

Sun damage can cause premature aging, sunspots and wrinkles. To protect against sun damage, students should wear sunscreen, which blocks ultraviolet radiation.

The amount of ultraviolet rays exposed is greatest when the sun is highest in the sky, which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., said Susan Kennedy, associate director for educational services for University Health Services.

Sunscreen should be applied every two hours.

A minimum of SPF 35 should be applied, Dr. Edward Rosick, university physician, said. You can wear up to SPF 70, which is recommended if you are out all day fishing or sailing.

"If you are exposed to the sun, you need to wear sunscreen," he said.

Any part of the body that is exposed to the sun is likely to get burned; however, the face burns the most, he said.

Kennedy said that although it is very common to get burned on sunny days, it is possible to get burned on cloudy days, too.

"About 80 percent of the sun's rays can penetrate through clouds," she said.

To protect your skin against the sun, you should use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, wear sunglasses with UV protective lenses and limit your time in the sun, Kennedy said.

You should also wear clothes to cover up and wear a hat with a full brim to protect both the face and ears, he said.

Aquatic Safety

Many students plan on traveling to beaches or coastal areas. There are several conditions students should be aware of to ensure a safe trip.

There are two main concerns with water safety: trying to avoid neck injuries and avoiding dangerous swimming conditions, said Tom Griffiths, manager of aquatic facilities and safety officer for intercollegiate athletics.

Griffiths said that between 800 and 900 people each year dive headfirst into shallow waters. As a result, they become quadriplegic. About two-thirds of these diving incidents occur in open water, and alcohol is often a factor.

"It is extremely common," he said. "This mostly happens to young adult males 15-25 years old."

Griffiths recommends always entering water feet first, unless you are absolutely certain that there is a minimum of 9 feet of water.

Weather conditions are another factor students should take into account to ensure safety.

Dave Young, interim aquatics director at the State College Area Family YMCA, said that lifeguards often have signs posted and have flags representing the swimming conditions.

A red flag means that it is dangerous to swim, a yellow flag means that only experienced swimmers can go into the water, and a green flag means that the water is safe for everyone.

In addition to knowing the weather and swimming conditions, students should be aware of rip currents. Rip currents are strong, short currents that become stronger as waves get taller.

"Usually you can see rip currents from the shore. They are deeper spots with darker water," Young said.

Roughly 95 percent of drowning incidents are attributable to rip currents, Griffiths said.

"If you are in a rip current, don't fight it ... they are too strong to fight," Young said. "Let it carry you out, and then swim diagonally back to shore."

Rip currents don't take you out far, so if you are caught in one, just relax because they will dissipate.

"People try to fight them and end up drowning," Griffiths said.

While in the water, students should be conscious of marine life, especially jellyfish, which can sting you even if they are dead, Young said.

"They have receptors, and if you step on one, you will be stung," he said.

Social Safety

Some students drink a lot during spring break, especially when they are in popular spring break settings, Linda LaSalle, coordinator of health education services at UHS, said. As a result, students are susceptible to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when the body has too much alcohol and the alcohol acts as a toxin, she said.

"Alcohol is often used as a conduit for rape and sexual assault," Peggy Lorah, director for the Center for Women Students, said. "Alcohol makes it happen, and if someone is intoxicated, you can't give or get consent for sexual activity."

LaSalle added that women experience sexual assault through date rape drugs put in their drinks.

To prevent this, she suggests being responsible when drinking.

"The body can only process about one drink an hour," she said. "For the average person, that equals one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one mixed drink."

Physiologically, men can drink more alcohol than women can. Men have more muscle mass and have more water in their bodies. The alcohol can spread through the body more for men, LaSalle said.