(Modern Survival.org) – In a survival situation, if you are running very low on water, it’s better to?
• Ration it
• Drink it all
• Mix with urine
• Save it
Answer: Drink It All. Here’s why…
n a survival situation, potable water often means the difference between life and death. Many people mistakenly believe that food is the most essential item for survival; however, the human body can last for roughly three weeks without food. In as little as three days, death can become a real possibility without water — and in even less time in extreme conditions such as high temperatures.
When a source of safe drinking water isn’t available, is it better to consume what water is available or ration it out to last as long as possible? Read on to find out.
Do Both
Before entering warfare in Africa, the United States Army attempted to develop “water discipline” in soldiers by reducing their water supplies during training exercises. This resulted in hundreds of heat casualties and led the Army to conclude that rationing water in high heat, with high activity levels, leads to rapid dehydration.
When water is running low in a high-temperature situation, and there isn’t more available, the best bet is to consume it, then keep the water in the body. Here are a few tips on how to conserve water once consumed:
- Do anything possible to prevent sweating.
- Cover as much skin as possible to prevent sunburns and sweating.
- Breathe through the nose, not through the mouth.
- Don’t eat. The body uses a lot of water during digestion.
- Stay out of the sun. If you have to move, do so at night when it is cooler and less likely to create sweat.
Dehydration is a real threat — one often overlooked by many who find themselves in long-term emergency situations. To see how dangerous dehydration really is, check out our article on the subject here.
~ Here’s to Your Survival!
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