What To Do When You Are Dehydrated.

 

How to Rehydrate with Oral Rehydration Solutions

In the previous part of the series, we learned how to stay hydrated in a survival situation. We also learned how to prevent and recognize dehydration. However, sometimes dehydration can be caused by diarrhea or vomiting, which can result in a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. In these cases, drinking plain water may not be enough to rehydrate your body. You may need to use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to restore your fluid and electrolyte balance.

What are Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS)?

Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are liquids that contain water, sugar, salt, and sometimes other ingredients, such as baking soda or citrus juice. They are designed to replace the fluids and electrolytes that are lost due to diarrhea or vomiting. They can help prevent or treat dehydration, shock, and acidosis (a condition where your blood becomes too acidic).

ORS work by using the principle of osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration. In this case, the membrane is the lining of your intestines, and the solute is the sugar and salt in the ORS. When you drink ORS, the sugar and salt attract water from your bloodstream into your intestines. This increases the amount of water in your intestines, which helps flush out the bacteria or toxins that are causing diarrhea or vomiting. It also increases the amount of water in your bloodstream, which helps rehydrate your body and improve your blood pressure.

How to Make Homemade ORS

You can buy ORS packets from pharmacies or health centers, but they may not be available or affordable in some situations. Fortunately, you can make your own ORS at home using common ingredients. Here are some recipes for homemade ORS:

• Basic ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar and 0.5 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.
• Baking Soda ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.
• Citrus Juice ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 cup of citrus juice (such as lemon, lime, or orange) in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.

You can also add a pinch of potassium chloride or potassium-rich foods (such as bananas, potatoes, or coconut water) to your ORS to increase the potassium content.

How to Use ORS

The amount and frequency of ORS you need to drink depends on your age, weight, and severity of dehydration. A general guideline is to drink enough ORS to match the amount of fluid you lose through diarrhea or vomiting. For example, if you have one cup of diarrhea or vomit, you should drink one cup of ORS.

Some tips to use ORS are:

• Drink ORS slowly and in small sips.
• Drink ORS as soon as you start having diarrhea or vomiting.
• Drink ORS between meals, not with meals.
• Continue to drink ORS until your diarrhea or vomiting stops.
• If you have signs of severe dehydration (such as confusion, weakness, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, reduced skin elasticity, sunken eyes), seek medical attention immediately.
• If you have signs of other complications (such as blood in your stool or vomit, fever, abdominal pain), seek medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are liquids that can help you rehydrate your body when you have diarrhea or vomiting. They can prevent or treat dehydration, shock, and acidosis. You can make your own ORS at home using ingredients such as sugar, salt, baking soda, and citrus juice. You should drink enough ORS to match the amount of fluid you lose through diarrhea or vomiting.

This concludes our series on how to stay hydrated in a survival situation. We hope you found it useful and informative. Stay safe and healthy! 😊

The Laymen's Guide To Hydration

 

How to Stay Hydrated in a Survival Situation

Water is essential for life. It regulates your body temperature, transports nutrients and oxygen, flushes out toxins and waste, lubricates your joints, and protects your organs and tissues. Without enough water, your body will start to malfunction and eventually shut down.

Hydration is especially important in a survival situation, where you may face harsh conditions, physical exertion, or limited access to clean water sources. Dehydration can impair your mental and physical performance, making it harder for you to think clearly, make decisions, and cope with stress. It can also increase your risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal.

How Much Water Do You Need?

The amount of water you need to drink per day depends on several factors, such as your age, weight, activity level, climate, and health condition. A general rule of thumb is to drink at least half a gallon (2 liters) of water per day for an average adult. However, this may vary depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

Some factors that increase your water needs are:

• High temperature and humidity: You lose more water through sweating when the weather is hot and humid. You may need to drink up to a gallon (4 liters) of water per day in extreme heat.
• Physical activity: You lose more water through sweating and breathing when you exercise or perform strenuous tasks. You may need to drink an extra 0.5 to 1.5 liters of water per hour of activity.
• Illness or injury: You lose more water through fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding. You may need to drink more water to replace the fluid loss and prevent dehydration.
• Altitude: You lose more water through breathing when you are at high altitudes (above 8,000 feet or 2,500 meters). You may need to drink an extra 1 to 1.5 liters of water per day at high altitudes.

How to Prevent Dehydration

The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink enough water before you feel thirsty. Thirst is a sign that your body is already dehydrated. You should also monitor your urine color and volume. If your urine is dark yellow or brown, or if you urinate less than usual, you are likely dehydrated.

Some tips to prevent dehydration are:

• Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you are not thirsty.
• Drink more water before, during, and after physical activity or exposure to heat.
• Drink water with electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium) to help balance your fluid and electrolyte levels. You can add a pinch of salt and sugar to your water, or use oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which will be discussed in the next part of the series.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, or carbonated drinks, as they can dehydrate you by increasing your urine output or interfering with your hydration signals.
• Eat foods that contain water, such as fruits, vegetables, soups, and stews.

How to Recognize Dehydration

Dehydration can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms depending on the degree of fluid loss. Some common signs and symptoms of dehydration are:

• Dry mouth and lips
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Reduced skin elasticity
• Sunken eyes
• Decreased urine output
• Dark urine color

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should drink water immediately and seek medical attention if possible. Severe dehydration can lead to organ failure, coma, or death.

Conclusion

Hydration is vital for survival and health. You should drink enough water to meet your daily needs and prevent dehydration. You should also be aware of the factors that increase your water needs and the signs and symptoms of dehydration. In the next part of the series, we will learn how to rehydrate with oral rehydration solutions (ORS) in case of dehydration caused by diarrhea or vomiting.

Stay tuned for more! 😊

How To Find Water No Matter Where You Are

 Finding water sources in the wild and in an urban environment during a SHTF situation is a crucial skill for survival. Water is essential for life, and without it, dehydration, illness, and death can occur quickly. In this article, we will explore some of the ways to locate and purify water in different scenarios.

Water Sources in the Wild

In a wilderness setting, there are several possible sources of water, such as:

• Rain: Rainwater is one of the cleanest and easiest sources of water in the wild. You can collect rainwater by using containers, tarps, or plastic sheets to catch the falling drops. You can also use plants with large leaves or hollow stems to funnel the water into your container. Rainwater is usually safe to drink without purification, unless it is contaminated by pollution or chemicals in the air.
• Rivers, lakes, streams, or any other body of water: These are your most obvious sources of water in the wild. Clear, flowing water is your best option, as the movement doesn’t allow bacteria to fester. This means that small streams should be what you look for first. Rivers are acceptable, but larger ones often have a lot of pollution from upstream. Lakes and ponds can be stagnant and full of parasites, so they should be your last resort. You can also look for lush green vegetation, swarming insects, and wildlife or animal tracks as signs that water is nearby1.
• Morning dew: Dew is the moisture that forms on plants and grasses at night or early morning. You can collect dew by using a cloth or a sponge to wipe the wet surfaces and then wring it out into a container. You can also tie a cloth around your ankles and walk through the grass before sunrise, then squeeze the water out of the cloth. Dew is usually safe to drink without purification, unless the plants are poisonous or contaminated by pesticides2.
• Fruits and vegetation: Some plants and fruits contain a lot of water that you can extract by crushing, squeezing, or cutting them. For example, cacti, coconuts, bamboo, vines, and berries are good sources of water in the wild. However, you need to be careful not to eat or drink any plants that you are not familiar with, as some of them can be poisonous or cause allergic reactions3.
• Plant transpiration: Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves. You can capture this water by tying a plastic bag around a leafy branch and leaving it in the sun for a few hours. The water vapor will condense inside the bag and drip to the bottom. You can then cut a small hole in the bag and collect the water4.
• Digging a solar still: A solar still is a device that uses the sun’s heat to evaporate and condense water from the soil or vegetation. To make a solar still, you need a digging tool, a container, a plastic sheet, a rock, and a drinking tube. First, dig a hole about 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep in an area where the soil is moist or where there is some vegetation. Next, place your container in the center of the hole and fill it with any vegetation or fruit that you have. Then cover the hole with the plastic sheet and secure it with rocks or dirt around the edges. Place a rock in the center of the sheet above the container to create a low point. Finally, insert one end of your drinking tube under the sheet and into the container, and leave the other end outside for drinking5. The sun will heat up the soil and vegetation under the sheet and cause water to evaporate and condense on the underside of the sheet. The condensed water will run down to the low point and drip into your container.

Water Sources in an Urban Environment

In an urban environment, finding water sources can be more challenging than in the wild, especially during a SHTF situation when public utilities may be disrupted or contaminated. However, there are still some places where you can look for water, such as:

• Fire hydrants: Fire hydrants are connected to underground pipes that carry pressurized water from municipal reservoirs or wells. You can access this water by using a wrench or a crowbar to open the valve on the side of the hydrant. However, you need to be careful not to damage the hydrant or cause flooding in the streets. You also need to check if the water is safe to drink by looking at its color, smell, and taste6.
• Water heaters: Water heaters are appliances that store hot water for domestic use. They usually have a capacity of 40 to 80 gallons of water that can be drained from a valve at the bottom of the tank. You need to turn off the power supply and gas supply to the heater before draining it. You also need to open a faucet on a higher level than the heater to release any pressure in the pipes7.
• Toilet tanks: Toilet tanks are the upper part of the toilet that hold water for flushing. They usually contain about 2 to 5 gallons of clean water that can be accessed by removing the lid and scooping it out with a cup or a ladle. However, you should avoid using the water from the toilet bowl, as it may be contaminated by bacteria or chemicals8.
• Rain barrels: Rain barrels are containers that collect rainwater from rooftops or gutters. They can be a good source of water in an urban environment, especially if you have installed them before a SHTF situation. However, you need to filter and purify the rainwater before drinking it, as it may contain dirt, debris, or pollutants from the air9.
• Swimming pools: Swimming pools are large basins that hold water for recreational purposes. They can provide a lot of water in an urban environment, but they may not be very clean or safe to drink. Swimming pool water is usually treated with chlorine or other chemicals to kill bacteria and algae, but these chemicals can also be harmful to human health if consumed in large quantities. Moreover, swimming pool water can become contaminated by dirt, debris, or human waste over time10.

Water Purification Methods

Regardless of where you find water in a SHTF situation, you should always purify it before drinking it, unless you are absolutely sure that it is clean and safe. Water purification is the process of removing harmful substances from water, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals, and metals. There are several methods of water purification that you can use, depending on the resources and equipment that you have available. Some of the most common methods are:

• Boiling: Boiling is the simplest and most effective method of water purification. It kills most microorganisms that cause diseases by exposing them to high temperatures. To boil water, you need a heat source, such as a fire or a stove, and a pot or a metal container. You need to bring the water to a rolling boil and keep it boiling for at least one minute. If you are at a high altitude, you need to boil the water for longer, as water boils at lower temperatures at higher elevations11.
• Filtering: Filtering is the method of water purification that removes solid particles and some microorganisms from water by passing it through a porous material. To filter water, you need a filter device, such as a commercial filter, a homemade filter, or a piece of cloth. You need to pour the water through the filter and collect it in another container. However, filtering alone may not remove all contaminants from water, so you may need to combine it with another method, such as boiling or disinfecting12.
• Disinfecting: Disinfecting is the method of water purification that kills or inactivates microorganisms in water by using chemicals or ultraviolet light. To disinfect water, you need a disinfectant agent, such as chlorine bleach, iodine tablets, or UV light. You need to follow the instructions on the label or package of the disinfectant agent and add the correct amount to the water. You also need to wait for the required contact time before drinking the water13.
• Distilling: Distilling is the method of water purification that removes all contaminants from water by evaporating and condensing it. To distill water, you need a heat source, a pot with a lid, a smaller pot or a cup, and some tubing or a hose. You need to fill the larger pot with water and place the smaller pot or cup inside it. You also need to attach one end of the tubing or hose to the lid of the larger pot and run the other end outside or into another container. You need to bring the water to a boil and let the steam escape through the tubing or hose. The steam will condense into pure water in the smaller pot or cup or in the other container14.

Conclusion

Water is vital for survival in any SHTF situation, whether in the wild or in an urban environment. However, finding and purifying water can be challenging and risky in such scenarios. Therefore, it is important to know how to locate and identify potential sources of water and how to purify them using different methods. By following these tips and techniques, you can increase your chances of staying hydrated and healthy in a SHTF situation.

Using the power of the sun to make tea!

 

Sun tea is a refreshing and easy way to make iced tea without using any electricity or heat. All you need is a glass container, some water, and your favorite tea bags. Here are some simple steps to make your own sun tea at home:

• Fill a large glass container with water. You can use any size you like, but a general rule of thumb is to use 8 tea bags per gallon of water. You can adjust the number of tea bags depending on how strong you like your tea.
• Add the tea bags to the water and close the lid. You can use any kind of tea you prefer, such as black, green, herbal, or flavored. You can also add some fresh fruits, herbs, or spices to infuse more flavor into your tea. For example, you can try adding orange slices and mint leaves, lemon wedges and ginger slices, or peach slices and cinnamon sticks.
• Place the container in a sunny spot outside for about 3 to 5 hours. The sun will gently warm the water and steep the tea, creating a smooth and mellow brew. You can move the container if needed to keep it in the sun. Avoid placing it in a very hot spot, as this may cause the tea to become bitter or cloudy.
• Bring the container inside and remove the tea bags. You can also strain out any fruits, herbs, or spices if you used them. Your sun tea is ready to enjoy! You can serve it over ice, sweeten it with sugar or honey, or add some lemon juice for a tangy twist. You can also store it in the refrigerator for up to two days.

I hope this guide helps you make some delicious sun tea this summer. If you want more tips and recipes for sun tea, you can check out these links:

• How to Make Sun Tea - Simply Recipes
• How to Make Sun Tea at Home - Best Sun Tea Recipe - The Pioneer Woman
• Sun Tea: A Southern Summer Staple with 2 Ingredients
• How To Make Sun Tea and 5 Iced Tea Recipes - Teaspoon of Spice

 

How to Desalinate Water: A Guide for Home Use

Water is essential for life, but not all water is safe or suitable for human consumption. According to the United Nations, more than 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and about 1.5 billion people face water scarcity12

One possible solution to this problem is desalination, which is the process of removing salt and other minerals from saline water, such as seawater or brackish water, to make it fresh and potable. Desalination can provide a source of freshwater in areas where freshwater is scarce or contaminated, such as arid and coastal regions, islands, or ships. Desalination can also reduce the pressure on existing freshwater resources and help prevent water conflicts.

However, desalination is not a simple or cheap process. It requires a lot of energy, infrastructure, and technology, which can be expensive and environmentally harmful. Desalination also produces a large amount of brine, which is the concentrated saltwater that remains after the freshwater is extracted. Brine can have negative impacts on the marine ecosystem if not properly disposed of or reused34

Therefore, desalination is not a perfect or universal solution to the global water crisis, but it can be a valuable option in some situations. In this article, we will explain what desalination is, why you should do it, how you can do it at home, and what are the benefits and challenges of doing so.

What is desalination?

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other dissolved solids from saline water to make it fresh and drinkable. Saline water can be seawater, which has an average salinity of about 35 grams of salt per liter of water, or brackish water, which has a lower salinity than seawater but higher than freshwater5

There are different methods of desalination, but the most common ones are distillation and reverse osmosis. Distillation involves heating saline water until it evaporates, leaving behind the salt and other impurities. The vapor is then condensed into freshwater. Reverse osmosis involves forcing saline water through a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks salt and other contaminants. The freshwater is collected on one side of the membrane, while the concentrated brine is discharged on the other side6

Both methods require a lot of energy to operate, which can be derived from fossil fuels, renewable sources, or waste heat. Both methods also produce a large amount of brine, which can be treated, reused, or disposed of in various ways. Some examples of brine reuse are irrigation, aquaculture, salt production, or power generation. Some examples of brine disposal are deep well injection, evaporation ponds, or ocean outfalls7

Why should you desalinate water?

Desalinating water can provide several benefits for human health and well-being, especially in areas where freshwater is limited or polluted. Some of these benefits are:

• Desalinating water can provide a reliable and safe supply of drinking water that meets the World Health Organization (WHO) quality standards. Drinking contaminated water can cause diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis A, and polio. Desalinating water can prevent these diseases and improve public health8
• Desalinating water can also provide water for other domestic uses such as cooking, washing, cleaning, and sanitation. Having access to adequate and clean water can improve hygiene and dignity for people who lack basic services such as toilets or showers.
• Desalinating water can also provide water for agricultural uses such as irrigation or livestock watering. Agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals and is one of the main drivers of water scarcity. Desalinating water can increase food production and security for people who depend on farming for their livelihoods.
• Desalinating water can also provide water for industrial uses such as manufacturing or cooling. Industry accounts for about 20% of global freshwater withdrawals and is another major driver of water scarcity. Desalinating water can support economic development and growth for people who work in various sectors.
• Desalinating water can also provide water for environmental uses such as wetland restoration or wildlife conservation. Wetlands are ecosystems that provide many benefits such as biodiversity, flood control, carbon sequestration, and tourism. Wildlife are animals that depend on natural habitats for their survival. Desalinating water can protect and enhance these natural resources for people who value them.

How can you desalinate water at home?

Desalinating water at home may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually possible with some simple materials and methods that you can find or make yourself. Here are some examples of how you can desalinate water at home:

• Solar still: A solar still is a device that uses the sun’s energy to distill water. You will need a large bowl, a cup, some plastic wrap, and a small weight. You will also need some salt water, which you can either collect from the ocean or make yourself by adding salt to tap water. To make a solar still, follow these steps: 9
  • Pour the salt water into the bowl until it is about 1 inch deep.
  • Place the cup in the center of the bowl, making sure it does not touch the salt water.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, stretching it tightly over the rim of the bowl.
  • Place the weight on top of the plastic wrap, above the cup.
  • Place the bowl in a sunny spot, such as a window sill or a garden.
  • Wait for several hours or until you see water droplets forming on the plastic wrap.
  • The water droplets will slide down the plastic wrap and fall into the cup, leaving behind the salt and other impurities in the bowl.
  • Collect the freshwater from the cup and enjoy.
• Pot and lid: A pot and lid is another device that uses heat to distill water. You will need a pot with a lid, a smaller pot or bowl that fits inside the larger pot, and some ice cubes. You will also need some salt water, which you can either collect from the ocean or make yourself by adding salt to tap water. To make a pot and lid still, follow these steps: 10
  • Pour the salt water into the larger pot until it is about half full.
  • Place the smaller pot or bowl inside the larger pot, making sure it does not touch the salt water.
  • Cover the larger pot with the lid, turning it upside down so that the handle points down.
  • Place some ice cubes on top of the lid, around the handle.
  • Place the pot on a stove and bring the salt water to a boil.
  • Wait for several minutes or until you see steam rising from the salt water.
  • The steam will condense on the lid and drip down to the handle, where it will fall into the smaller pot or bowl, leaving behind the salt and other impurities in the larger pot.
  • Turn off the stove and carefully remove the lid and the smaller pot or bowl from the larger pot. Collect the freshwater from the smaller pot or bowl and enjoy.

Membrane filter: A membrane filter is a device that uses pressure to reverse osmosis water. You will need a membrane filter, which you can buy online or at a hardware store, two plastic bottles, some tubing, and a hand pump. You will also need some salt water, which you can either collect from the ocean or make yourself by adding salt to tap water. To make a membrane filter still, follow these steps: 11

• Cut off the bottoms of both plastic bottles and discard them.
• Attach one end of a tube to the membrane filter and insert it into one of the bottles through the neck.
• Attach another tube to the other end of the membrane filter and insert it into another bottle through the neck.
• Fill one bottle with salt water and attach it to the hand pump.
• Squeeze the hand pump to create pressure and force the salt water through the membrane filter.
• Wait for several minutes or until you see freshwater coming out of the other bottle, leaving behind the salt and other impurities in the first bottle.
• Detach the bottles from the tubes and the pump.
• Collect the freshwater from the second bottle and enjoy.

What are the benefits and challenges of desalinating water at home?

Desalinating water at home can have some advantages and disadvantages compared to using conventional sources of freshwater, such as tap water, bottled water, or rainwater. Some of these are:

Benefits:

• Desalinating water at home can provide you with a self-reliant and independent source of freshwater that does not depend on external factors such as infrastructure, availability, or quality of other water sources. You can desalinate water whenever and wherever you need it, as long as you have access to saline water and some basic materials and methods.  
• Desalinating water at home can also save you money and resources that you would otherwise spend on buying or transporting freshwater from other sources. You can reduce your water bills, avoid plastic waste from bottled water, and lower your carbon footprint from water transportation.
• Desalinating water at home can also give you a sense of satisfaction and achievement that you have created your own freshwater using your own skills and creativity. You can also learn more about the science and technology behind desalination and share your knowledge and experience with others.

Desalinating water at home can also pose some difficulties and risks that you should be aware of and prepared for. Some of these are:

• Desalinating water at home can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, depending on the method and amount of water you want to desalinate. You may need to spend hours or days to collect enough freshwater for your needs, while also maintaining and cleaning your equipment and materials.
• Desalinating water at home can also be inefficient and wasteful, depending on the method and amount of water you want to desalinate. You may need to use a lot of energy, such as electricity, gas, or firewood, to heat or pump the salt water, which can increase your energy bills and environmental impact. You may also produce a lot of brine, which can be harmful to dispose of or reuse if not done properly.
• Desalinating water at home can also be unsafe and unhealthy, depending on the method and quality of water you want to desalinate. You may need to use chemicals, such as bleach or iodine, to disinfect or purify the salt water before or after desalination, which can be toxic or corrosive if not handled carefully. You may also need to test or treat the freshwater after desalination to ensure that it meets the WHO quality standards for drinking water, which can be complex or costly if not done correctly.

Conclusion

Desalination is a process of removing salt and other minerals from saline water to make it fresh and drinkable. Desalination can provide a source of freshwater in areas where freshwater is scarce or contaminated, but it also requires a lot of energy, technology, and infrastructure, which can be expensive and environmentally harmful.

Desalination is not a perfect or universal solution to the global water crisis, but it can be a valuable option in some situations. Desalination can also be done at home with some simple materials and methods that you can find or make yourself.

Desalinating water at home can provide you with a self-reliant and independent source of freshwater that does not depend on external factors. It can also save you money and resources that you would otherwise spend on buying or transporting freshwater from other sources. It can also give you a sense of satisfaction and achievement that you have created your own freshwater using your own skills and creativity.

However, desalinating water at home can also pose some difficulties and risks that you should be aware of and prepared for. It can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, inefficient and wasteful, unsafe and unhealthy, depending on the method and quality of water you want to desalinate.

Therefore, before you decide to desalinate water at home, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully and do your research thoroughly. You should also follow the instructions carefully and take precautions accordingly. You should also consult with experts or authorities if you have any doubts or questions.

Desalinating water at home is not an easy task, but it is possible with some effort and ingenuity. If you are interested in trying it out yourself, we hope this article has given you some useful information and guidance on how to do it safely and effectively.