Summer is in full swing! For a lot of people, this means outdoor activities, where the libations flow like a river: BBQs with friends and family, bonfires at the beach, tubing on the river, or an afternoon by the pool. Alcohol is a big part of summer fun. But with the extra heat, you need to be just that much more careful about how you drink.
Houston is hot and humid, and the intense summer weather can exacerbate the effects of alcohol. So before you head out with a cooler packed full of cold brews, be sure to take these tips into consideration.
Stay Hydrated
This doesn’t just mean “go out there and get wet.” Drinking dehydrates you. Being out in the sun all day only makes it worse. You’re more prone to heat exhaustion when you’re dehydrated. This can cause your body temperature to rise, make you feel dizzy and lightheaded, and potentially cause you to pass out. The tough thing about dehydration is that you don’t always know when you’re dehydrated. The symptoms and side effects can come on very suddenly.
The simple solution? Match every alcoholic drink with a glass of water. Juice is good, too… but only as long as there’s no liquor in it. Another good solution is to hold off on the alcohol until you’re not thirsty. That cold beer might feel like it’s quenching your thirst, but thirst is actually a sign of dehydration. That beer isn’t doing you any favors.
Don’t Drink and Drive … Watercrafts
We all know that drinking and driving is dangerous on land. It’s no different out on the water. Impaired judgment, processing, and coordination all come into effect on a boat the same way they do behind the wheel of a car. When you add in the waves, wind, and sunshine, being on the water might actually be a little more challenging.
In Texas, you’re considered impaired when you’re driving a boat with a BAC of .08 percent, which isn’t very hard to reach when you’re having a good time. This is still important to remember if you’re a passenger, too. Drinking can cause problems with balance. Couple that with choppy water, and you might find yourself falling overboard.
Drink Less, Breathe Better
Alcohol has been found in 50 percent of water-related adult deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why? Alcohol makes it harder to breathe and swallow, which are extremely helpful when swimming. Alcohol can also impair your ability to judge distance. You could find yourself out much farther from the boat or shore than you want to be.
Keep these tips for responsible summer drinking in mind, and you can keep your summer filled with fun. If you happen to find yourself facing charges of DWI or BWI, you know where to turn. Mark Thiessen and the Thiessen Law Firm team are among Houston’s most aggressive criminal attorney. We will fight to protect your rights. Contact us for a free consultation today.
