Sun tan lotion

[dk2943]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum.

I am going on a cruise to Grand Bahama and Nassau at the end of the month. I am diving in Grand Bahama. I went to check my sun tan lotion and realize I need more. Recently, I have been reading that many sun tan lotions are bad for marine life and ecosystems, particularly corals. Does anyone know which ones are bad or good?

Thanks

 

[Papa_Bear]

The ones that protect you from getting skin cancer! The reef will be fine and you could not possible use enough to do do any damage with the water flow in that area! Stay safe!

 

[diversteve]

I respectfully totally disagree with the above post.

So does the National Institute of Health: Bleached, But Not by the Sun: Sunscreen Linked to Coral Damage

Google Biodegradeable Sunscreen - this one seems good:

Sunscreen and sun protection by SmartShield

 

[Papa_Bear]

I respectfully totally disagree with the above post.

So does the National Institute of Health: Bleached, But Not by the Sun: Sunscreen Linked to Coral Damage

Google Biodegradeable Sunscreen - this one seems good:

Sunscreen and sun protection by SmartShield

Funny how a flawed experiment becomes fact! Hummm, I can think of many more, though if your willing to believe! Look it up! The Lotion was put in plastic bags and they also stopped circulation and UV rays needed by the coral!

By a clue!

 

[anzac65]

Funny how a flawed experiment becomes fact! Hummm, I can think of many more, though if your willing to believe! Look it up! The Lotion was put in plastic bags and they also stopped circulation and UV rays needed by the coral!

By a clue!

Yep. Someone did the same thing with CO2 causing global warming......

 

[diversteve]

By a clue!

Get a clue? BUy a clue?

Thanks for being insulting when I went out of my way to not insult you.

I might've even taken your advice but now, considering the source, in the future I'll discount any gibberish you post.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Get a clue? BUy a clue?

Thanks for being insulting when I went out of my way to not insult you.

I might've even taken your advice but now, considering the source, in the future I'll discount any gibberish you post.

I was wondering about that too! I guessed buy a clue, but agree with you we don't need to be rude or insulting when we disagree. I don't use any lotions or potions when I dive. If there is sun, I try to cover more with skin shirts and stay out of the sun when on the boat. As humans we put a ton of crap into our waterways, I try to avoid leaving anything in the water when I dive. However, to each their own.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Some people have a thinner skin than coral polyps, but can't help that! Take my advice or not, at least THINK! The problem with "Form" over "Substance" is the brick hits you in the head before you move, because your too busy correcting the grammar! I just spent a week with a Marine Biologist diving and she agrees with my point of view, but you should think for yourselves and buy a clue when you can afford to! One word "Dilution" and a cubic mile of sea water contains over 4lbs of GOLD! Maybe its the Gold?

 

[texdiveguy]

OP---Use the sunscreen....your extended health and safety is very important. I think the ocean and the corals will survive sunscreen your dives just fine.

 

[Damselfish]

Who knows wahat the truth is? I recently read an article in some environmental magazine, don't recall which but it was a place you'd expect them to jump all over something like this and tell you to avoid sunscreen in the water. Nope - they said the study was flawed and used really ridiculous concentrations, and basically not to worry about it.

So I'm sure you can google and find plenty of options that say they are safe. Or go to the store, with this study out I'm sure the "safe" ones have it plastered all over their label. Sunscreen that is more biodegradable or not using certain chemicals might even be better for people anyway.

Personally I hardly ever use sunscreen when I'm diving, I prefer to cover up or stay under cover rather than dousing myself in anything, especially when it's going to wash off anyway. (I do believe the line "the most waterproof thing about waterproof sunscreen is the bottle it comes in.")