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Safe Spring Break

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Responsible Drinking

Spring Break is a time to have fun and relax, activities that do not have to include drinking. Offer to be the designated driver or choose to do something with your friends where the main activity is not drinking. However, if you do choose to drink, make sure you drink responsibly and encourage your friends to do the same.
  • Determine in advance the number of drinks you will have and do not exceed that number. Make sure the number you set is a reasonable one.
  • Pace yourself. Set a pace of one or fewer drinks per hour. Avoid drinking games since they cause you to drink too much too fast.
  • Never leave your drink unattended.
  • Eat a meal before drinking.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink water in between drinks.
  • Go out with your friends and come home with your friends. Assign a sober designated driver. If you and all your friends plan on drinking, make sure you have enough money for a cab.
  • If a friend has passed out from drinking too much alcohol, do not let him/her “sleep it off”. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and seek help immediately and call 911.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

  • Person is passed out or unconscious and cannot be wakened
  • Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
  • Breathing is slow or irregular, with 10 or more seconds between breaths
  • Vomiting while passed out and not waking after vomiting
  • Unable to stand or walk without help
If anyone is showing any of the above signs, call 911 as the person’s life is in danger.

Safer Sex

If you are sexually active, know your limits and respect them.
  • Remember to use a condom every time you have sex.
  • Only engage in sexual activity once consent is given. An individual cannot legally consent to sexual activity if he or she is drunk or passed out.
  • Know your sexual health status. Get tested before and after spring break. STIs are often asymptomatic, so it is important to get tested and know your status. Do not trust someone you just met to be honest about his or her sexual history.
  • In the event where unprotected sex has occurred, remember that emergency contraception is available and can be found at most pharmacies.

Sun Safety

Spring break and sun go hand in hand. But while you’re trying to soak up the sun, make sure you protect your skin.
  • Use sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays and with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply often.
  • Wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the sun.
  • Do not go tanning before spring break because it is much more harmful to your skin. Instead, use a sunless tanning cream or get a spray tan.
  • Check your skin for moles and discoloration. If you notice anything abnormal, make sure to get it checked.

Traveling Abroad

Are you planning to travel out of the country for spring break? If you are, make sure you are familiar with international laws and regulations.
  • Always make sure you aware of your surroundings and never go out alone.
  • Be careful of what you eat and drink to avoid getting sick and ruining your trip.

    Eat
    • Food that is cooked and served hot
    • Fruits/vegetables you have peeled and washed yourself in clean water
    • Pasteurized dairy products
    • Hard-cooked eggs

    Don’t Eat
    • Food served at room temperature
    • Food from street vendors
    • Raw or undercooked eggs, meat, fish
    • Salads
    • Flavored ice or popsicles
    • Unpasteurized dairy products
    • “Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, other wild game)

    Drink
    • Water, sodas, or sports drinks that are sealed
    • Water that has been boiled, filtered, or treated
    • Ice made with bottled or disinfected water
    • Hot coffee or tea
    • Pasteurized milk

    Don’t Drink
    • Tap or well water
    • Fountain drinks
    • Ice made with well or tap water
    • Drinks made with tap or well water
    • Unpasteurized milk

  • Consider looking into getting travel health insurance in the case of an emergency
  • Refer to the CDC website and make sure you get the proper medications and immunizations prior to leaving the country. It is advised to meet a physician at least 6 weeks before leaving. You can schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center to get your travel medications.