Posted: 8/13/2010 7:54:09 AM EDT
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FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking
With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. |
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I've noticed similar increased consumption over the last two weeks while doing anything outside that involves exertion. I'm in Atlanta proper. Without a basement, I've plumb run out of places to store water. I actually have two unused 55 gal blue drums that I haven't filled because I can't find anyplace to store them. I wish I had a cool, dark place to store a few hundred more gallons. My interest in water has been renewed not only because of the hot, hot weather but due to a science story that I accidentally discovered. While the focus isn't on the region of the state in which I live, metro Atlanta has a poor record of similar contamination issues in its tributary, the Chattahoochee. One and one were put together pretty quickly. All that it would take is a power outage of short duration... Sawyer point zero two is my friend :) |
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Quoted:
FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. if you are sweating that much and drinking that much then you should NOT be drinking just plain water. you should drinking at least half of that, if not 75%, of that as gatoraid or some other sports drink or a home made version. you can/will end up with an electrolyte imbalance that will end up putting you out of commission. |
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I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning)
In and out of the AC is the worse thing you can do, find yourself a shady spot outside and sit there, drink fluids and cool off. I work out in the heat everyday (105 to 115 heat index) and I avoid AC at all costs during the day. |
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I live in the panhandle of Florida, and I'm drenched in sweat before I've finished tying my kid's shoe to get him out of the car. Camelbacks help alot with hydration issues especially if the business end of the hose is near your face. I go through a liter pretty quickly with one on.
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FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. if you are sweating that much and drinking that much then you should NOT be drinking just plain water. you should drinking at least half of that, if not 75%, of that as gatoraid or some other sports drink or a home made version. you can/will end up with an electrolyte imbalance that will end up putting you out of commission. I spent June through mid August doing BCT at Ft. Benning(2002). We were required to drink at least a canteen(1qt) per hour doing everything the Army does outside. Heat casualties were minimal and we drank one cup of Gatorade a day max. I know you can get water poisoning and lose electrolytes, but people have survived thousands of years without Gatorade. |
| Convert those blue barrels into rain barrels and integrate them into your rain gutter system. It will take a little work to make the water drinkable, but my suggestion would be to use that water for everything but drinking, therefore you will maximize the water you do have stored for drinking only. For example, run the rain water through a minimal filtering process and use it for sanitation and clothes washing that way you won't have to use any of your good drinking water for those things. |
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I live in the panhandle of Florida, and I'm drenched in sweat before I've finished tying my kid's shoe to get him out of the car. Camelbacks help alot with hydration issues especially if the business end of the hose is near your face. I go through a liter pretty quickly with one on. Quoted:
Quoted:
FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. if you are sweating that much and drinking that much then you should NOT be drinking just plain water. you should drinking at least half of that, if not 75%, of that as gatoraid or some other sports drink or a home made version. you can/will end up with an electrolyte imbalance that will end up putting you out of commission. I spent June through mid August doing BCT at Ft. Benning(2002). We were required to drink at least a canteen(1qt) per hour doing everything the Army does outside. Heat casualties were minimal and we drank one cup of Gatorade a day max. I know you can get water poisoning and lose electrolytes, but people have survived thousands of years without Gatorade. But for thousands of years they were smart enough to hole up during the hottest part of the day. Remember, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun." I damn near killed myself landscaping inf Fla drinking water to rehydrate. It was only after the day was over and I was reeling like a drunk that one of the other guys pointed out what an idiot I was for relying on water. After that, I took Gatorade as well as water. And, yes, the 1 gal per person per day is a minimum. |
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I live in the panhandle of Florida, and I'm drenched in sweat before I've finished tying my kid's shoe to get him out of the car. Camelbacks help alot with hydration issues especially if the business end of the hose is near your face. I go through a liter pretty quickly with one on. Quoted:
Quoted:
FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. if you are sweating that much and drinking that much then you should NOT be drinking just plain water. you should drinking at least half of that, if not 75%, of that as gatoraid or some other sports drink or a home made version. you can/will end up with an electrolyte imbalance that will end up putting you out of commission. I spent June through mid August doing BCT at Ft. Benning(2002). We were required to drink at least a canteen(1qt) per hour doing everything the Army does outside. Heat casualties were minimal and we drank one cup of Gatorade a day max. I know you can get water poisoning and lose electrolytes, but people have survived thousands of years without Gatorade. But for thousands of years they were smart enough to hole up during the hottest part of the day. Remember, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun." I damn near killed myself landscaping inf Fla drinking water to rehydrate. It was only after the day was over and I was reeling like a drunk that one of the other guys pointed out what an idiot I was for relying on water. After that, I took Gatorade as well as water. And, yes, the 1 gal per person per day is a minimum. THIS. if your only working during the morning and late afternoon thats fine but during the hottest part of the day, if your not resting and taking in electrolytes you will end up having problems. also, weren't you issued Oral Rehydration Salts while you were there? |
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THIS. if your only working during the morning and late afternoon thats fine but during the hottest part of the day, if your not resting and taking in electrolytes you will end up having problems. also, weren't you issued Oral Rehydration Salts while you were there? Don't remember ever hearing it's too hot to work(think prep for Iraq). I haven't had to work because of lightening, but not heat. Drink water drive on! I've never heard of the rehydration salts either. |
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Recommendations don't fit every need. It is good that we remember that.
I fully endorse using Gatoraid type drinks but that is not the end all and be all of replenishment. Stage 1: working 15 min or less = water Stage 2 working 15-45 min = water and electrolytes Stage 3 working 45+ min = water + electrolytes + protein. |
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Recommendations don't fit every need. It is good that we remember that. I fully endorse using Gatoraid type drinks but that is not the end all and be all of replenishment. Stage 1: working 15 min or less = water Stage 2 working 15-45 min = water and electrolytes Stage 3 working 45+ min = water + electrolytes + protein. Don't you get this from the bugs you swallow while gasping for air after chugging a quart of water all at once? 
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Quoted: I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) In and out of the AC is the worse thing you can do, find yourself a shady spot outside and sit there, drink fluids and cool off. I work out in the heat everyday (105 to 115 heat index) and I avoid AC at all costs during the day. Yep. The hot/cold cycle just makes your body feel worse; better to acclimate. Turn off your air conditioner. You'll feel better without the extremes and you'll feel better when you write a much smaller check to the electric company. |
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ive told folks for a long time 2+ gallons per person as minimum in hot weather . that 1 gallon aint shit if your outside, or doing anything. Also the " stay outta the heat in the mid day" advice is true. My thread i had a week ro so back about my day hike. It was a heat index around 120-140f, 98f and humidty from 80-100%. We did 10 miles in 5 hours with 1 30 min break to filter h20/snack and 3-4 5 minute lets stop in the shade deals. It sucked balls. Yeah i did the distance i planned on, but, if that was a "bug" out i wouldnt be shit the next day. In fact i was toast,untill i cooled off. I drank 5 liters in that time frame. With electroylte mixes, and with a gallon or more of mixes electrolytes/water prior to the hike. I pissed about once an hour till the last hour. I never stopped sweating. but my core temp is what was killing me and my buddy. It was just to hot.Ofcocurse we made the brillant idea to hike an AO that was all clear cut That is why folks should test their gear/selfs even when it is nasty as hell out. If not you'll think " Ohh 10 miles that aint shit...........7 miles into it your laying in the shade puking, dizzy, and doing the " im ok...just let me rest.." mumble...." |
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While I appreciate the varied discussion(s) brought up, the main point was volume of water (fluids) needed to store
electrolytes? have you actually researched it? Commercials are not research. I eat a well varied/balanced diet and electrolytes are part of the food that I eat. I've not needed additional past what my diet provides. Being married to a dietitian helps some in this area. heat/cold cycle? which is better? I've not studied it to find out what's medically better, I only know what feels good and works for me and I like the alternation between heat/cool (I'd damn sure bet that protus in his hike example would have given a dollar for a break in the AC every hour instead of sitting in his acclimatised sunny field. Back to the main point: if you don't have any water stored, you're wrong. If you think the minimum recommend of one gallon is enough, you're wrong (I was). Evaluate your needs and adjust (which is what I'm doing and this thread is about). |
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While I appreciate the varied discussion(s) brought up, the main point was volume of water (fluids) needed to store electrolytes? have you actually researched it? Commercials are not research. I eat a well varied/balanced diet and electrolytes are part of the food that I eat. I've not needed additional past what my diet provides. Being married to a dietitian helps some in this area. heat/cold cycle? which is better? I've not studied it to find out what's medically better, I only know what feels good and works for me and I like the alternation between heat/cool (I'd damn sure bet that protus in his hike example would have given a dollar for a break in the AC every hour instead of sitting in his acclimatised sunny field. Back to the main point: if you don't have any water stored, you're wrong. If you think the minimum recommend of one gallon is enough, you're wrong (I was). Evaluate your needs and adjust (which is what I'm doing and this thread is about). unless your wife also holds a degree in sports med then she isnt telling you correctly. water leaches out the electrolytes and minerals from your body, IE it actually pulls them out of your system. so even if your eating correctly and drinking large amounts of water your still losing them and they need to be replaced to stay fully functional. im not telling you this because i have seen some commercial for a sports drink im telling you because i have seen it first hand as a fire fighter. we have had guys drop in as little as 2.5 hours on woods fires. im not talking about some 45yo thats over weight and eats burgers and fries all day, im talking 20yos that work out every day and eat right. it can be something as little as a cramp or even just a slight headache, thats how it starts and progresses from there. |
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Anybody who's ever done a hard, long day in the heat and pulls off his clothes to find them salt-caked and stiff knows that plain water just won't do it. Unless your diet is pounding extra electrolytes/salts/etc... into your metabolism, something is going to break. I know, I found out the hard way. Then I forgot and had to learn it again.
A gallon a day is for when you're holing up in reasonable climes. Like giving the wife half of everything you own in an Illinois divorce case, it's only the starting point. upon which you build.
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| I think the key to all of this is a Minimum of one gallon of water and hunkering down during the heat of the day and doing a minimum of activites in the dawn or dusk hours...I think they mean survival, with that much water not humping around doing things in the hot sun....rememebr the old saying " only mad dogs and englishmen are in the noon day sun" |
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I think they don't make it clear enough that their recommendation is a MINIMUM amount.  Who cares, honestly. Most people are too stupid to figure out "have some water on hand" in the first place, let alone how much they actually need. Someone no doubt will start going on about looking after my fellow man, but these are generally the same asshats who keep voting people in the tax the crap out of me, so screw 'em. |
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Quoted: FEMA along with a lot of other .coms, experts and internet reposters suggest that you store 1 gallon of water per person for drinking With the weather we have had in the last 3 weeks here in AR, with highs in the upper 90's to mid 100's, and heat index's going around 115*, as well as the added humidity = sweat bath just getting to your vehicle or walking down the driveway to get the mail etc I've been active working on different projects and yard work over these last three weeks alternating around 45 min work, and 30 min break (in the air conditioning) and I've drank between 6 and 10 full (32oz) Nalgene bottles each day. (4 = gallon) I'd easily equate my energy output to a similar level that would be needed for working come SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, ie hunting/foraging/building/searching/recovery/firewood/etc. In fact it will prob be much more difficult as there will likely be no AC to run and hide in for R&R. Is it like this all the time in every location? no, of course not, but this has been a wake up for me in my location. I am going to redouble my efforts on my stored water and filtering capacity. I will expand by at least 1.5x and then work toward 2x the current amount/capabilities. What's all this rambling about? Dunno, maybe my experiences will help poke some folks into looking at their actual perceived needs instead of blindly following .gov documents or what the average prep crowd says. And all of ya'll that work in AC buildings etc and don't spend much time outdoors may take something from this. It's hot. It's damn hot, and that heat sucks it right out of you. FEMA's advice is based on the presumption that you will do one of two things in a disaster situation: 1) Evacuate 2) Stay put in your house and wait for the relief effort to begin. Since 'total collapse' is not a realistic scenario, the presumption is that the disaster is (a) local, and (b) temporary. Now, if you're not going to do one of those two things, than FEMA's preparation advice isn't for you. For example, if you're running around outside doing 'whatever', then you're going to need more water than if you're sitting in the house all day, engaging in no strenuous activity & waiting for the 'event' to be over & the relief/clean-up effort to start.... |
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unless your wife also holds a degree in sports med then she isnt telling you correctly. water leaches out the electrolytes and minerals from your body, IE it actually pulls them out of your system. so even if your eating correctly and drinking large amounts of water your still losing them and they need to be replaced to stay fully functional. im not telling you this because i have seen some commercial for a sports drink im telling you because i have seen it first hand as a fire fighter. we have had guys drop in as little as 2.5 hours on woods fires. im not talking about some 45yo thats over weight and eats burgers and fries all day, im talking 20yos that work out every day and eat right. it can be something as little as a cramp or even just a slight headache, thats how it starts and progresses from there. I've heard the number from the NPS off line medical director of 1/3 gatoraid 2/3 water, but except for the worst extremes, not needed the first day. I've done a week at drinking almost 12-18 liters/day, and never touched gatoraid. In my case I was sleeping in the AC and ate a pretty good dinner and breakfast, and had mostly junk/snack/MRE/Mountain House for lunch (and very light at that. Had I had gatoraid or ORS available, I would have taken it. But it wasn't available, and I didn't crave it or suffer any ill effects. The only healthy person I know to become overcome from the loss of electrolites wasn't eating, and consuming somewhat less water than I was. We medivac'ed him out. I took (per SOP) a tube of blood prior to starting the IV (NS TKO). When they tested it he was all out of whack. He was fine within a couple of hours, but kept overnight . He was sent home to stay in the AC and eat better. OTOH, we have sent dozens of people home from dehydration. Some people won't drink enough unless it's cold and over ice. Others can't increase their drinking to accomidate enviromental conditions. These are the people, aside from long distance runners, and hot shot crews, who benefit most from Gatoraid. There is no doubt gatoraid is better than air, beer, or soda BTW, I can chug over a liter of water without stoping- At some point hold the water in the mouth, and breath through the nose. Normally I don't like to drink more then 20oz this way because it make my stomach feel funny, but I can almost double it if I have to without feeling nauseous. |