Dragon Boat Wilderness Health Guide: Guard Against Stomach Bugs, Heatstroke, Allergies and Falls
2013-06-12
Marcus Tang
A Dragon Boat break in nature is wonderful — but summer outings hide health traps everywhere. Specialists at Xinqiao Hospital advise four areas of preparation: digestive health, heatstroke, allergies and fall injuries — a true health insurance policy for your trip.
Four health threats and how to beat them
| Threat | Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive upset | Stomach pain, diarrhoea; severe cases food poisoning | Eat regularly and hygienically; avoid dubious food; go easy on raw, cold, greasy dishes |
| Heatstroke | Dizziness, headache, nausea; severe cases convulsions | Light-coloured clothing, avoid blazing sun, bring hat and sunglasses, carry cooling remedies |
| Allergies | Rashes, blisters; severe cases shock, breathing difficulty | Bring anti-allergy medicine; stop the trip and seek care if severe |
| Falls and sprains | Twists, fractures | Remember the three hiking rules (below) |
Three rules for hiking
- Walk hard, not soft: concrete, asphalt and stone slabs beat grass and riverbanks — less effort, safer
- Choose grip over slip: detour across rougher snowfields or grassy slopes rather than slick ice or gravel
- Take steps, not slopes: use stone stairways up and down hills; kinder to the body and safer
Fun starts with safety. Pack heatstroke remedies, anti-allergy medicine and first-aid supplies before you go — that’s real “health insurance”.
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