The mouthpiece end that inserts into your instrument should be round and clean. There should be no rust or other debris on it. Look for dents and an oval or squashed shape by holding the mouthpiece at eye level or comparing it to an undamaged mouthpiece. If your mouthpiece is misshapen at all, use a trueing tool to return it to its correct shape. This tool looks like a skinny T and has a somewhat pointed end. To use, insert the tool into the end of your mouthpiece. Tap it very gently with a rubber mallet (not a hammer!). The tool will force the mouthpiece end to become rounded. Give a gentle clockwise twist when inserting the mouthpiece. When removing the mouthpiece, give a counter-clockwise twist. It should not turn more than about a half of a rotation, if that. Never bang in the mouthpiece. Over time, the twisting will have a threading effect and make the mouthpiece less likely to be stuck. Always remove the mouthpiece before putting the instrument in its case. Place the instrument in the case properly. Do not put extra items like music or other items in the case where they don't fit. Keeping your mouthpiece clean will help ensure that it fits properly and smoothly into your instrument. Wash it carefully with warm water and mild soap, drying it afterwards with a soft cloth. Periodically, apply a little dab of valve or key oil to the insertion end. Dropping a mouthpiece on a hard surface such as tile or concrete is sure to dent or otherwise damage your mouthpiece. Even dropping a mouthpiece on carpet can risk damaging it. If you drop the mouthpiece, inspect it right away to ensure that it is still round. If it's dented, use a trueing tool to reshape the insertion end.
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One-sentence summary -- Regularly inspect the mouthpiece for damage. Use a mouthpiece trueing tool. Carefully insert the mouthpiece into your instrument. Properly store your instrument in its case. Regularly clean your mouthpiece. Don't drop your mouthpiece on the ground.

Saunas are considered safe for most users, but some people need to take extra precautions. Others might have to avoid saunas altogether. If you are taking medications, or have any medical conditions, ask your doctor for advice. Some illnesses, such as a cold, might benefit from a short visit. Others might get worse. You should reconsider using a sauna if: You have unstable angina pectoris, poor blood pressure, abnormal heart beats, advanced heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, or severe aortic stenosis. You have other high-risk medical conditions, such as: kidney disease, liver failure, or other cardiac conditions. You are a child, pregnant, or trying to conceive. Many places won't allow children under a certain age to use the sauna. Saunas may also affect the developing fetus, or reduce sperm count. You are feeling sick, faint easily, have cramps, suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. You are taking medications that prevent you from sweating or cause you to overheat very quickly. Saunas cause the body to sweat, and thus lose water. Because of this, is vital that you stay hydrated. If you don't drink enough water before getting in, you can get dehydrated. This can lead to heat strokes, or worse. Water is the best, but isotonic drinks are also suitable. Avoid drinking alcohol before (and during) using a sauna. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can become a big problem in a sauna. If you did drink alcohol and have a hangover, wait until it is over. This will help keep you clean, as well as protect the benches from body oils. If you are going into a coed sauna, consider bringing a cotton sarong or wrap to cover yourself with. Whatever you bring into the sauna must be dry and clean. Ideally, you should clean your sauna attire using water, and if needed, a little bit of white vinegar. A mild detergent intended for baby clothes is also a good substitute. Clothes pick up lots of dust and dirt throughout the day. The sauna's heat will loosen this dirt, and release it into the air and onto your skin. You also should not wear tight-fitting clothes, as your skin also needs to breath. Listed below are things that are not appropriate to bring into a sauna: Clothes you wore throughout the day are bad for saunas. Shoes are bad choices for the same reason as your day clothes. Shower sandals are okay to wear to the sauna, but should be taken off once you get inside, especially before you get up on the benches. Sweat suits and workout clothes are bad choices, especially if you just wore them to a workout. Sauna suits made out of PVC are dangerous. They keep the skin from breathing, and can actually melt in the sauna. The high temperatures will cause them to give off toxic fumes, chemicals, and residue. Old, loose-fitting swimsuits are okay, so long as they are colorfast, and contain no slimming panels or metal parts. Anything that has metal on it. Saunas get hot, and metal heats up easily. If that metal is against your skin, you could end up with bad burns. Metal heats up fast in saunas, so while you might go in looking fashionable, you'll leave with painful burns. If you have any jewelry, take it off, and put it in a safe place. Do not take it into the sauna with you. You also don't want to wear any creams or lotions. If they don't run with your sweat and make an oily mess, they will clog up your pores and keep your skin from breathing and sweating. If you just ate, wait one to two hours before heading into the sauna. This is because your body will be using a lot of energy to digest and process that food. If you just finished working out, wait until your heart rate slows down and you regain some energy. Your body will need this energy in the sauna.
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One-sentence summary -- Be in good health and avoid saunas if you have any high-risk medical conditions. Drink two to four glasses of water before going into a sauna. Bring a clean, cotton towel to sit on. Do not wear anything dirty or tight-fitting to a sauna, including things that you wore throughout the day. Skip on the creams, lotions, and jewelry. Be well-rested and don't go in after a big meal.

Some boats have a raised seat for the person paddling, while others place it flush with the bottom. You may have to cross your legs and lean back against the back of the boat to find a sustainable rowing position. If they are adjustable, you should adjust them when you find a calm spot on the water or before you take off. The top of your hands should go on the top of the oar, with the blade perpendicular to the water's surface. Your thumb can go on the end of the handle or wrap around the bottom. You will lean forward and your arms will go forward to move the oars backward and vice versa. Lean back and pull the oars back while they are completely submerged, until your arms are even with your chest. Focus on sitting as straight as possible while you row. The pushing motion should be as quick as possible, so that the oars aren't out of the water for long. Then, the pulling motion should be as deep as is comfortable with your posture. Flipping the oars out of the water as quickly as possible will minimize wind resistance. Rowing with just the left oar will turn you counterclockwise. Rowing with only the right oar will turn you clockwise.
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One-sentence summary --
Get comfortable on the seat. Grasp the handles of the oars. Glide both oars above the surface of the water, and then dig them into the water when your arms are fully extended. Engage your abdominal muscles. Focus on the pace of the rowing. Turn the boat by lifting one oar out of the water and continuing the motion with a single oar.