Hi, My name is CS, and im an Assistant lifeguard for Oceanside, and im here to give you a saftey lecture on teh dangers of the Ocean and the beach

One thing that in Jr. Guards they can't stress enough is the importance of sunscreen. I was just wondering how many people have at least a tube of sunscreen in their B.O.B; Sunburns HURT And as im sure all of you know, if its bad, you can;t do anything!

Just wondering how many people actually have some in their B.O.B

My EDC and BOBs each have sunscreen and bugspray, as do each of my kids packs. It seems like a no-brainer. Why wouldn't you carry it?

As a redhead, no one hates the sun more than me. I burn fast, and I burn bad. But I don't need sunscreen. If I wear a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves, and long pants, I'm good to go without any stinky goo.

Down here in Florida sunburn is serious business. I have seen quite a few people suffer 'sun poisoning' so bad it required hospitalization. This over an above the odds of the more common debilitating sunburns and/or possible skin cancer down the road. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a long-sleeve shirt are vital.

It isn't meant as a knock against our northern friends but the sun really is stronger down here. A fact that comes to light when people used to staying out in the sun for hours up north face consequences when they try it down here.

Even those who are used, or genetically adapted, to it there are consequences. All I can do is shake my head when I see ladies I knew a couple of decades ago and the deep tan they craved when they were young has turned into what looks like elephant hide. And they got off easy.

At least one I know has died of skin cancer. A high price for fashion.

spf50 waterproof sunscreen in the kit - 100% deet in the kit, and a tilly hat

As our friends to the north say
"slip, slop, slap"

Supposedly after SPF 30 there is no appreciable difference in the amount of protection...

I actually don't bother with it much. I have Greek blood and heavy melanin, and I just don't burn. My grandparents are all still alive in their 90s, including the pair that have spent their lives on the water and think sunscreen is for pale white people. No history of skin cancer.

I have a tube of Australia-grade stuff in my medical kit. Being the most "flammable" person I know, it was pretty much the first thing I added.

Now that many sunscreens cover UVA and UVB (which is a recent thing) sunscreen is a bit more useful and I do carry it.

I never bothered carrying it before, because I don't burn easily. But, I carry it now that its full spectrum.

Lip balm is more important to me, and I carry the SPF30 kind. My lips tend to dry out.

The sunscreen that doesn't cover UVA and UVB both is mostly just for comfort... according to consumer reports... (yeah, I guess I'm a bit of a fanboy about them). It keeps you from burning but still lets in UV rays, so its unlikely to really keep you from getting cancer.

I should point out that L'oreal had a patent on full spectrum sunscreen for many years, so for those living in Europe and Canada, the above comment is useless. The FDA wouldn't approve L'Oreal's formula, and you can derive your own conspiracy theories about that.