For those hot days

Cpl Punishment said:
Another tip I had given to me that was the average person doesn't feel thirsty until they are approximately a liter low on water. So, sipping if you feel thirsty won't do it. Empty your nalgene.

Also, most docs I've talked to said Gatorade has too much sodium. It's worth it to get a better electrolyte solution. It's not like it's something you drink all day, so the added cost shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

Not near enough potassium and way too much sugar, although for active dehydration vs dehydration from diarrhea, some sugar might be useful in most cases.
 
MacHete said:
Skimo- in no way do I put you in the same category as the individual in my Guard unit. We were in the Mojave Desert fercryinoutloud! The coolest mid-day temp was in the mid-nineties. The hottest I recall was 116. He had been given the safety briefing. They gave the same hydration awareness training every time we drilled in the field- whether it was in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana or Michigan. You would have thought that the one time it might have stuck for him was when we were in the desert southwest. He knew better. He knew he was in an extreme environment, and he made an extremely poor choice.

Your situation was much more subtle, and is therefore much more instructive to all of us here. I'm sorry it happened to you, but I'm glad you are better now, and glad that you shared the experience with us. :)
Click to expand...

Oh, I understand, I didn't think you were calling me a moron, I've been outdoors for a majority of my life, I knew better, which probably makes me the bigger idiot :D

It was subtle though, about a year ago during my formal wedding (I HATE TUXEDOS!) I had a slight run in with heat exhaustion, heavily drinking in July and an outdoor wedding, I think I sat in my van for about an hour and a half sipping water with the AC blasting, this time I only had a beer at dinner the night before.

The warning signs are generally unnoticeable by others until it's too late.
 
The N.O.L.S outdoor guide states that only 10% dehydration can decrease mental and physical performance by 20% and gets worse rapidly. I carry 2 packs of pedialite in my first aid kit as well as a little plastic salt shaker.
Had heatstroke after an 2 day outdoor concert in the early 1990's, they were selling water with no free tap, so many sick/ambulance's that they were not allowed to block tap water after that.
I use a 2 litre camel and have a 2 litre water bag in my pack minimum. When I have to refill the camel I know to not push on further without a replacement source available.
 
I used to work with a lady who never drank water. We spent all day in paper suits, goggles, respirators, gloves, etc., in the summer, spraying for bugs. I'd suggest she drink water, and she'd respond with one of two things:
1. "I've been doing this for 25 years."
2. "I just drank a cup of coffee."

Sadly, her stubborness/ignorance will not keep her from collapsing one day.
 
went to a concert back inthe 90's and it was around 100 degrees that day and all we had was beer and whiskey. later that evening after we got home i went into convulsions (mild) and was shaking terribly.. felt real cold.. i knew what was going on ( keep in mind i was 17 at the time) so had them pouring water on me while i was sipping water. after about 30 mins i was ok but weak.. they went out and bought a ton of gatorade and bottle water and everyone started rehydrating.. its the only time i have ever been through that. boy what a learning experience..
 
Very good thread! I sweat like a pig if I do much more than stand up and turn around, always have. I have never suffered heat stroke or any of that but I have sure seen a LOT of other people go thru it. While out and about now I carry a 3L camellback and if it looks like water is short where I am going I load on annother 2 1 ltr bottles. I also pack several gatoraid packets, they are cheap and light and are absolute lifesavers. I have personally given the stuff to 2 people that the Dr's had about written off and seen them walk away. When I used to do the long distance bike rides, seen many people on the side of the road absolutely losing it, half a pint of electrolite juice like gatoraid or Exceed and they were fine in 15 minutes. Amazing stuff.
Out here in S Florida we lost a 17 yr old kid n Mothers day, he was doing a 20 mile hike on the FLorida Trail with his scout troup and stroked out. Its a real theat, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
 
I always remember safety briefings when I was in the Corps and it was hot where I happened to be.(everywhere) For me it was never the fear of heatstroke or exhaustion that scared me into drinking water....it was the fear of having my fellow Marines see me getting the "silver bullet" thermometer shoved where the sun don't shine by the Corpsman to check core body temp. I imagine they might do something similar if that happens to be your local emergency worker's standard procedure. Just imagine your wife, kids, friends, family, co-workers, etc. seeing you get one in the rear. That's a thought that might make you hydrate more. :eek:
 
FYI, a one-a-day mineral tablet (usually with vitamins too) + fast food pack of salt + sugar + 1 qt water = 1 qt gatoraide. Cost about $.10 if the water come out of a tap or stream.
 
I managed to dehydrate once on a cycling tour ... it was a very hot day, and while cycling I didn't feel the sweat, I drank a lot, went through my 2 liters of water in no time, then one brigde was closed which doubled the way I still had to go ... I thought no problem, I'll pick up some water at the next shop ... gas station ... whatever. By the time I found a gas station that was open I had a headache already ... I bought 3 liters, drank one of them on the spot and used the other to refill my bottles.

The bridge that was closed was a bridge over the river Rhine, by no way a "remote" area, I could just have rung some door bell to ask for water. I knew the area from a few years back, so I knew there were shops ... but I didn't know they were all closed on that day. Since then, I use every opportunity to refill my water supplies, even if I only have used half a litre.

My husband even needs an alarm while cycling - he doesn't feel thirsty for way too long. So he sets an alarm for every 15 minutes and each time it goes off he takes a swig. (He does so ever since he collapsed on a ferry on a hot day ...)
 
I use to work for the Wild life fish and Game at a Fish Hatchery and I did alot of weed eating in the July and August months during the hottest part of the day (my boss made us) anyway I noticed I drank and drank and 2 gallon cooler of water all the time to keep myself hydrated but I would still get sick to my stomach. A friend of mine told me to drink Gatorade instead of water and to keep a Hanky wet and around my neck. I did that and it solved my problem and made my job alot easier. Maybe that can help some of you guys. I will say this, still drink plenty of water but also gatorade just as much and really try the hankerchief wet around the neck thing, it works wonders.
 
Yeah, the Gatorade is because drinking just water blew your electrolytes out of whack. You'll get headaches, nausea, etc if you drink a lot of just water.
 
Sixfooter was with me one day on the Florida Trail when I ran out of water. Bubba bailed me out! The heat will get you when you least expect it. I will never run out of water again. :D

SIXFOOTER said:
Very good thread!.... Its a real theat, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Click to expand...
 
Garrett Schmidt said:
I always remember safety briefings when I was in the Corps and it was hot where I happened to be.(everywhere) For me it was never the fear of heatstroke or exhaustion that scared me into drinking water....it was the fear of having my fellow Marines see me getting the "silver bullet" thermometer shoved where the sun don't shine by the Corpsman to check core body temp. I imagine they might do something similar if that happens to be your local emergency worker's standard procedure. Just imagine your wife, kids, friends, family, co-workers, etc. seeing you get one in the rear. That's a thought that might make you hydrate more. :eek:
Click to expand...

my buddy saw the nurse give me the "silver bullet"... rather uncomfortable.:barf::eek:

From now on when I work in the heat or go hiking, I'm gonna be wearing clothes that I don't mind getting wet, since I don't sweat much. The timer for taking drinks is a good idea as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top