60% of our body is made of water. Every single part of your body needs water in order to work and keep you going. This is especially true if you are exerting yourself with too much physical activity or if you're in a place with safe drinking water isn't an option.
Let's start with the basics. We all know that we're supposed to drink eight 8 oz glasses of water a day (AKA 64 oz). It has also come out that some of us don't need to drink 64 oz. Some people drink less and some people drink more depending on their personal health and wellbeing. According to MayoClinic.org, water "gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and protects sensitive tissues," just to name a few ways it helps our body.
Additionally, it explains that Men need about 15.5 cups (124 oz, 3.7 liters) of fluid a day. Women need about 11.5 cups (92 oz, 2.7 liters) of fluids a day. But don't forget that water for our body isn't just consumed through drinking it. Foods we eat also help us to hydrate (cucumbers anyone?). I love this
Good House Keeping article on how to calculate how much water you should drink.
Did you know you can actually die from drinking too much water?
"In severe cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, brain damage, a coma, and even death. Bottom line: Drinking too much water can increase the pressure inside the skull. This can cause various symptoms and, in severe cases, become fatal." (
MedicalNewsToday.com)
What it all comes down to is that you should be hydrating throughout the day. Sometimes your body will tell you when to hydrate, other times you just need to know that you were extremely physical and probably need to replace some of the water you lost.
This could never be more true than in a survival situation. Having access to water is integral for survival. Generally speaking, you can live without water for 3 days. If you're stuck in a survival situation with limited water, make sure you stay away from salty foods (bread, prepackaged snacks) or coffee/tea, but do look around for safe fruits. Dehydrated fruits are not as effective as fresh fruits. It's in the name... de... hydrated.
If you are unsure if you are suffering from dehydration, here are some of the warning signs that
MedicalNewsToday.com say to watch out for:
- sluggishness or lack of energy
- headache
- dizziness and confusion
- heatstroke and heat cramps
- stiff joints that may eventually stick and not work properly
- raised or otherwise unregulated body temperature
- swelling in the brain
- sharp changes in blood pressure
- seizures
Ways to ensure you can stay hydrated in a survival situation:
- Preplan and pack as much water as you can safely carry.
- Pre-hydrate appropriately for the activity.
- If you have containers for water, make sure you can reuse them to find additional water. You could also pack an empty container.
- Boil water if it's not clean. You'll want a find mesh strainer to get rid of sediment. Let it cool if you are not a fan.
- Be careful when boiling, though, so you don't lose too much of the liquid from evaporation. Don't blast the water with heat.
- Make sure you have a thermometer with you to check that the water has reached the temperature for safe consumption. (70-100 degrees F).
- There are also solar powered kettles.
- Pack some water purifying tablets.
- Use a water filter. I always think of Brita water for this, but you should click the link for the recommended options.
In conclusion:
 | Gentle Reminder
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|  | Aggressive Reminder
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