Staying Hydrated in Hot Weather

[melissa7]

I've searched the forums and haven't been able to find anything about this, so please forgive me if it's already been posted.

ALLOWING FOR EXTRA WATER CONSUMPTION WHEN THE WEATHER IS VERY HOT: This is common sense for most people, but I think it's a prudent reminder now that the summer months are almost here.

Anyone (even those in great shape) can get heat exhaustion, or have a heat stroke if not treated right away. Babies, kids, the elderly & obese are most susceptible when the temperature rises. If the situation causes the electricity to go out, A/C's and fans will no longer be working. This is extremely dangerous if the temperature is above 80° F - especially if you live in an area with high humidity. People should be prepared to drink more water should this occur. (Not pop or juice, but water!!)

Based on my own experience with heat exhaustion 18 years ago, here are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• hot & flushed, but you're no longer sweating (dry hot skin)
• beyond thirsty (you feel like you can't get enough to drink)
• rapid pulse
• flu-like symptoms
• weakness

Here is my immediate solution: drink a 32 oz. bottle of water or gatorade rather quickly (not chugging it, just drinking it consistently until it's gone), then eat 2 bananas, then continue to sip on another 32 oz. water. The combo of fluid and potassium is the key to feeling better. If there are no bananas available, then take one or two potassium supplements.

*Having plain potassium supplements (not K-potassium, just plain) in your prep stash is a must-have, IMO*

Personally, when it happened to me, after doing the above, I went to the ER and was further hydrated via IV. Since this won't be possible during a SHTF scenario, my advice would be to rest and keep on sipping water. You don't want to drink too much water and poison yourself, but you want to drink enough until you're hydrated and feeling well again. Drinking a gallon of water (?) over the period of a day should suffice.

I'm not a doctor, nor an expert, so please seek medical advice if possible. Other members, please chime in, add info, or correct me if you think I'm wrong here.

 

[jimLE]

good advice..except for the town i live,just outside of where i'll take a 20 ounce bottle of water with me,if any thing..i take a 32 ounce bottle of water with me every time i go some where.and every once in a while i'll add a powdered drink to it for a change in flavor/taste..pluss there's 8 more 32 ounce bottles always in the car when i go some where.

 

[jontte]

this is actually something people tend to forget,unfortunately me too,getting enough fluids.
me being stubborn as I am,coffee seems to be what I drink,not enough water,which is stupis as I have superb tap-water at my disposal,perhaps I remeber
to take my canteen with me on thu when I take part in some disaster training.


even if I could ask my class mate to stick an iv in me and hydrate that way

 

[Brent S]

I've searched the forums and haven't been able to find anything about this, so please forgive me if it's already been posted.

ALLOWING FOR EXTRA WATER CONSUMPTION WHEN THE WEATHER IS VERY HOT: This is common sense for most people, but I think it's a prudent reminder now that the summer months are almost here.

Anyone (even those in great shape) can get heat exhaustion, or have a heat stroke if not treated right away. Babies, kids, the elderly & obese are most susceptible when the temperature rises. If the situation causes the electricity to go out, A/C's and fans will no longer be working. This is extremely dangerous if the temperature is above 80° F - especially if you live in an area with high humidity. People should be prepared to drink more water should this occur. (Not pop or juice, but water!!)

Based on my own experience with heat exhaustion 18 years ago, here are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• hot & flushed, but you're no longer sweating (dry hot skin)
• beyond thirsty (you feel like you can't get enough to drink)
• rapid pulse
• flu-like symptoms
• weakness

Here is my immediate solution: drink a 32 oz. bottle of water or gatorade rather quickly (not chugging it, just drinking it consistently until it's gone), then eat 2 bananas, then continue to sip on another 32 oz. water. The combo of fluid and potassium is the key to feeling better. If there are no bananas available, then take one or two potassium supplements.

*Having plain potassium supplements (not K-potassium, just plain) in your prep stash is a must-have, IMO*

Personally, when it happened to me, after doing the above, I went to the ER and was further hydrated via IV. Since this won't be possible during a SHTF scenario, my advice would be to rest and keep on sipping water. You don't want to drink too much water and poison yourself, but you want to drink enough until you're hydrated and feeling well again. Drinking a gallon of water (?) over the period of a day should suffice.

I'm not a doctor, nor an expert, so please seek medical advice if possible. Other members, please chime in, add info, or correct me if you think I'm wrong here.

Good post, as you pointed out its allready getting hot. I drink water a lot, but it's much more important when your working hard. I am certain of one thing, it's a lot easier to prevent heat stroke than to recover from it. Always try to use common sense.

 

[melissa7]

this is actually something people tend to forget,unfortunately me too,getting enough fluids.
me being stubborn as I am,coffee seems to be what I drink,not enough water,which is stupis as I have superb tap-water at my disposal,perhaps I remeber
to take my canteen with me on thu when I take part in some disaster training.


even if I could ask my class mate to stick an iv in me and hydrate that way

Lol...I know what you mean. I don't like coffee, but drink M. Dew like it's going out of style. I do always have Gatorade on hand for my g-daughter. I posted this because our A/C went out, we live on the second floor, and it was really hot for a few days. It got me to thinking about how much we all depend on our ac's & fans to keep us cool, and reminded me of how hot it can actually get without them.

P.S. Does anyone else have an abundance of stink bugs? They're coming out now and get in my place all the time. I hate 'em, little buggers!

 

[jimLE]

yeah.no AC during the summer aint fun for at least most folks..mainly for my mom.but i can deal with it alright.


no stink bugs here,so far..

 

[Gazrok]

As an older, heavy set guy, in FL, I have become pretty attuned to the early signs of heat exhaustion. I can catch it pretty early on, while I'm still able to DO something about it. But I've seen way too many others, even young folks, who don't, then feint. Here's a tip. Always do things in hot weather, WITH FRIENDS! So you can watch out for each other.