JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph officials urge base members to be careful outdoors during these Critical Days of Summer, but the safety information they disseminate holds true practically year-round in toasty Texas.
"The sun in South Texas is brutal to the skin and will mercilessly dehydrate you faster than salt on french fries," Dan Jalbert, 902nd Force Support Squadron Canyon Lake general manager, said. "If you are going hiking or just sightseeing, the three most important things to bring are water, sunscreen (with a sun protection factor of at least 30) and proper clothing that includes head cover.
"Travel with a cooler of drinks, ice and some type of snacks to help you on your trip."
It doesn't hurt to bring a first aid kit too, especially for hikers - who should never travel alone, he said.
But before individuals and families take a step outside to have some summertime fun, they must pre-plan.
"First and foremost, if you are going to take a trip outside the local area, let people know," Jalbert said. "Whether it's an overnight or a day trip, you should give them your route, destination and time of return."
Often, vacationers rely on their cellphones, which lose power or stop working during inopportune times, Jalbert said.
"Do not rely on your cellphones," he warned.
Included in the pre-planning process for campers is selecting a good spot and a sturdy tent.
"The best sites are above any dry river beds with some type of shading," Jalbert said. "Look for a relatively flat, non-rocky area where you can pitch the tent safely.
"The tent not only protects you from the rain, but from the sun, wind and mosquitoes. Select a tent with a rain fly and Velcro or zipper fasteners."
In addition to land-based outdoor activities, local destinations like Canyon Lake allow travelers to take their adventures to the water in the form of boating, water skiing, fishing, pontooning, kayaking and canoeing.
However, water activities can turn deadly if they are not properly prepared for; sometimes, even the most avid swimmers lose the battle to Mother Nature.
"A Comal County sheriff told me, 'No bad swimmer ever drowned, only excellent swimmers,' after his crew pulled a fifth body out of the lake last year," Jalbert said. "People need to be aware on the lake that not everything is as close to them as they
think."
Windy weather conditions can make things worse.
"In only a few minutes, the winds can kick up, swelling water one to two feet," Jalbert said. "Do not attempt to swim across a lake even with a tube or small boat."
For Canyon Lake specifically, "the water drops quickly in some locations and the currents can be strong," he said. "Realize that you are only 30 feet from shore but the water may be 30 feet deep."
Life jackets are also essentials for the water, whether one is on a boat or a tube.
The good news for people who opt to dunk themselves in Canyon Lake water is that it's in excellent condition, according to Staff Sgt. Javier Martinez, 359th Aerospace-Medicine Squadron drinking water manager.
"There are two recreational areas at Canyon Lake - Hancock Cove and Sunnyside," he said. "The samplings taken by Airman 1st Class Nicolette Sanchez, 359th AMDS water monitor/technician, at those locations were analyzed by an accredited lab using approved Environmental Protection Agency methods. All sampling results were well below the applicable standards."
In this case, being below the standard is a plus, Capt. Bernardo Garcia, 359th AMDS occupational health element chief, said.
Canyon Lake's water contains well below the allowable amounts of colony-forming units - a measure of viable bacterial or fungal numbers - and other contaminants like chemicals and metals, Garcia said.
Jalbert recommended vacationers to check restrictions regarding swimming and tubing that address what is allowed and not allowed.
To learn the restrictions at Canyon Lake's military recreation park, call 830-226-5065.
For any outing, people should carry cash along with a credit or debit card, Jalbert said.
Also, "being tired and driving is the same as drinking and driving," he said. "Get plenty of rest before you travel and take periodic breaks to keep alert."
The final item people should check off on their lists is to just enjoy the great outdoors, Jalbert said.
Don't expect unlimited wi-fi connectivity or extravagant TV channels from sites like Canyon Lake.
"People actually get mad at me when they cannot connect the first time they try to get online," he said. "Your away time outdoors should be enjoyed, not interrupted by constant calls and the next irrelevant download," he said.