Playa Dust

• It’s HARSH and will ruin your feet and other body parts if not taken seriously!
• For many burners it is a golden rule to prevent the alkaline-rich Playa dust from ever touching their sensitive foot skin - as much as possible.
• What is Playa Foot?
  • Deep painful cracks in your heels toes etc
• Playa foot solutions
  • Hot weather wool socks with boots or other fully enclosed shoes at all times
    • They wick the moisture away from your feet (sweat) keeping you cooler; and reducing wet playa dust conditions in your boots.
  • Vinegar
    • Soaking your feet in water with a small amount of vinegar can also help to neutralize the alkali (1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water is a good mix). When you're done, make sure to dry your feet very well and check for any errant playa dust.
  • Corn husker’s lotion
    • This is an intense moisturizer lotion that feels like lube when you first put it on. But your dry ass playa hands will absorb this and thank you later.
    • This lotion is fantastic for when you rinse your hands with a baby wipe or that vinegar spray (if you want the full experience you do vinegar -> baby wipe -> corn husker lotion).
    • This is not a replacement for your more tender lotion like gold bond or burt’s bees. That stuff is good for being gentle. This huskers lotion is for when you’re building your pod or frontage or something and your hands are dry as all hell.
  • Pickles
    • The vinegar in the pickle juice neutralizes the Alkalinity in the dust. Great for your insides and outside. A little pickle juice on your lips does them wonders in the desert!

Heat

• Swamp coolers and regular coolers are important for keeping your tent cool
  • Swamp coolers can be built or bought.
  • Read more: Captain's LOG - COOLERS
• Hydration packets/electrolytes
• Always bring a full bottle of water with you when leaving camp
• Get rest. Do not try to pull constant all nighters. The heat and sun WILL catch up to you.

Sun

• The sun will be BRUTAL. You must have:
  • Sunscreen
  • Lotion
  • Aloe
  • Sunglasses
  • Scarves
  • Hats

Water

• Water
  • You will need 1.5 gallons of water per person per day for drinking, washing, and cleaning.
  • Always carry a full water bottle when you leave camp
  • Evaporators
    • Provides instant and prolonged relief from the head (for about an hour or so before needing to be re-wet). When the heat feels unbearable and you can't escape it, dousing one of these and putting it over your torso or neck or shoulders is heavenly.
    • It’s a porous material that encourages evaporation of water rapidly which provides local cooling. It works best in dry environments where things evaporate quickly
    • Ergodyne Chill-Its 6602 Evaporative Cooling Towel

White out and storms

• When the wind comes, seek immediate shelter. Now’s the time to use that dust mask and goggles you brought.
• If you’re far from shelter, sit down, turn your back to the wind, cover your face, and wait it out.
• Be alert for moving vehicles.