- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
- Messages
- 970
We talk a lot about survival tools, skills, and preparations here. Will not to be at all devalued many of these skills are directed toward the specific needs of a wilderness survival situation. One which many of us will likely never face (hopefully.) I'd like to take a little bit of time to discuss an aspect of survival which affects us not only in the deep bush, but in our wanderings of the concrete jungles which surround our daily lives. That is, water.
We all know that water is key in a wilderness survival situation; and that we're not likely to make it past 3 days without the wet stuff (if we're lucky.) But do we give it due consideration before we hit the bush? If you haven't thought about it here are a couple of basic elements of human life which hydration/dehydration affect all the time:
1) Thermoregulation
2) Respiration
3) Circulation
4) Waste process and removal
5) Cellular Health
6) Our ability to think
7) Our menta/emotional outlook
In or out of the woods, I think the motto Camelbak has stamped on my favorite water bottle says it all, "HYDRATE OR DIE."
A lot of such stuff from manufacturers is advertising and lies. Yes, that's advertising, but it ain't no lie!
So how do we stay properly hydrated? First, by understanding the two key parts to hydration; water and electrolytes. Dehydration can occur because of a deficit of one or both of these. If you look at symptoms of dehydration (lack of water) you will often find it is simply said that the symptoms of an electrolyte shortage are basically the same. Electrolyte loss is generally maximized through sweating. The second step, act on the knowledge. Drink plain ol' water throughout the day. If you are peeing clear, frequent, and plentifully, then you should be doing ok. I believe electrolytes will mostly take care of themselves if you arent exerting yourself much on a daily basis. Food today is loaded with salt. However, keep your mind engaged, if you are drinking plenty and still showing signs of dehydration, bust out some electrolytes, a sports drink or mix, or even just eating salty foods should help kick your level back where they should be.
What's the best way to do this? The proper tools as always seem the answer to me. What's the best tool for hydration? I think we should follow the same rules to find the best knife. 1) A tool will always have with me. 2) A tool that will do the job. 3) A tool I enjoy using. Alway with you, because water is always a need for life. That will do the job, because you need an adequate supply and manner of transport. A shotglass will leave you thirsty, and I aint carrying a water-cooler bottle with me. One that you enjoy using, because this will encourage you to use it. For me this is a .5L Camelbak Better Bottle. It goes with me everywhere. It holds enough to last me a while, but not cumberson. I have a neoprene insulator for it, which keeps my water cool and tasty (so I want to drink it,) and it has that cool flip-up bite valve, its easy as pie to drink from, which encourages me to use it more. For electrolytes I have some packets of stuff called Emergen-C or some such which can get me a boost in a pinch, easy to carry and easy to use.
Proper Hydration is easy, we've got no excuses.
God Bless,
Adam
PS: For some good info check out ye olde wikipedia. For good reading on the subject Cody Lundin's book 98.6 has some excellent information that will make you want to stay wet on the inside.
We all know that water is key in a wilderness survival situation; and that we're not likely to make it past 3 days without the wet stuff (if we're lucky.) But do we give it due consideration before we hit the bush? If you haven't thought about it here are a couple of basic elements of human life which hydration/dehydration affect all the time:
1) Thermoregulation
2) Respiration
3) Circulation
4) Waste process and removal
5) Cellular Health
6) Our ability to think
7) Our menta/emotional outlook
In or out of the woods, I think the motto Camelbak has stamped on my favorite water bottle says it all, "HYDRATE OR DIE."
A lot of such stuff from manufacturers is advertising and lies. Yes, that's advertising, but it ain't no lie!
So how do we stay properly hydrated? First, by understanding the two key parts to hydration; water and electrolytes. Dehydration can occur because of a deficit of one or both of these. If you look at symptoms of dehydration (lack of water) you will often find it is simply said that the symptoms of an electrolyte shortage are basically the same. Electrolyte loss is generally maximized through sweating. The second step, act on the knowledge. Drink plain ol' water throughout the day. If you are peeing clear, frequent, and plentifully, then you should be doing ok. I believe electrolytes will mostly take care of themselves if you arent exerting yourself much on a daily basis. Food today is loaded with salt. However, keep your mind engaged, if you are drinking plenty and still showing signs of dehydration, bust out some electrolytes, a sports drink or mix, or even just eating salty foods should help kick your level back where they should be.
What's the best way to do this? The proper tools as always seem the answer to me. What's the best tool for hydration? I think we should follow the same rules to find the best knife. 1) A tool will always have with me. 2) A tool that will do the job. 3) A tool I enjoy using. Alway with you, because water is always a need for life. That will do the job, because you need an adequate supply and manner of transport. A shotglass will leave you thirsty, and I aint carrying a water-cooler bottle with me. One that you enjoy using, because this will encourage you to use it. For me this is a .5L Camelbak Better Bottle. It goes with me everywhere. It holds enough to last me a while, but not cumberson. I have a neoprene insulator for it, which keeps my water cool and tasty (so I want to drink it,) and it has that cool flip-up bite valve, its easy as pie to drink from, which encourages me to use it more. For electrolytes I have some packets of stuff called Emergen-C or some such which can get me a boost in a pinch, easy to carry and easy to use.
Proper Hydration is easy, we've got no excuses.
God Bless,
Adam
PS: For some good info check out ye olde wikipedia. For good reading on the subject Cody Lundin's book 98.6 has some excellent information that will make you want to stay wet on the inside.
Got me thinking about another important aspect of water... portable water filtration systems to replenish your supply. Guess I'll look around for some info.
