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Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Articles Archives > Stay Hydrated to Enjoy Your Hunt
Stay Hydrated to Enjoy Your Hunt
Brian Kirksey
- Bay Area, CA
July 26, 2006
Water is everywhere
But try to find a safe, clean source. Clear, running water is the best bet, but it's still wise to use filters or purifiers. |
One of the most commonly overlooked health considerations among outdoorsmen and women is proper hydration. We depend on water for life. It regulates body temperature internally and externally, gives organs the proper atmosphere to operate, keeps joints lubricated, and carries waste from our bodies. When we get dehydrated, these functions are threatened, and the impacts can range from discomfort to death.
Some of the effects of dehydration are: increased thirst and dry mouth, sticky saliva, less frequent urination, dark-colored or cloudy urine, and light headedness. If these signs are noticed it is best to stop, slow down or rest, and get out of direct sunlight. Remove excess clothing to help the cooling of the body. Drink water or a hydrating drink.
Some of the more serious symptoms are; anxiety, confusion, weak or rapid pulse, little or no urination, and loss of consciousness. With these more serious symptoms medical attention should be sought immediately. Water can complicate things for an athlete who has sweated much of his natural sodium levels who just replaces his fluid levels with water. This very serious condition is called hyponatremia. Our bodies require salt and replacing sodium is necessary when extreme sweating occurs for long periods of time.
The good thing is that dehydration is an avoidable threat.
The night before venturing out, focus on getting water into your body for the activities soon to follow. Drink water before you get thirsty. Eat fruit with high water content.
It is best to consume liquids often and in small amounts. Don’t wait until you’re feeling parched, and then gulp down large quantities of water. This can also result in stomach cramps and bloating.
You’ll also want to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and soda. Caffeine and many kinds of soda are diuretics, and they tend to increase urination and flush the fluids from your body. Alcohol dehydrates the body as well. Save the cold beer for the end of the day, when the work is done and your body is relaxed.
What should you drink?
Water is generally fine for mild to moderate activity, but more strenuous activities may require a little extra replenishment. There are several “sport drinks” on the market that can help our bodies replace electrolytes and maintain blood glucose levels. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are found naturally in the human body, and they regulate our fluid levels that help with body functions, heart rhythm, muscle behavior, and brain functions. Sport drinks support endurance by providing fluids and carbohydrates which prevent exhaustion. It’s a good idea to introduce sport drinks before your trip to avoid possible stomach aches and discomfort.
There are many different ways to carry drinking water into the outdoors, including water bottles, canteens, and hydration packs. For long days on foot, hiking or backpacking, your dependency on water increases and your best choice is the hydration pack.
Hydration packs are becoming very popular among outdoor enthusiasts. They usually consist of a liner, reservoir, or pliable container equipped with a flexible drinking tube. The container fits into a specialized pack, either by itself or integrated into a pack system, and the tube reaches over your shoulder or under your arm like a long straw. This allows you to keep your pack on and still have easy access to your drinking water. The soft container reduces the bulk (compared to hard bottles or canteens), and distributes the weight in the pack, allowing you to comfortably carry more water.
For longer trips afield, it’s not always practical to carry a full water supply. You’ll have to rely on natural sources. It is a must for you to choose reliable sources for your drinking water along the planned hiking route. Marking a map in advance is a good idea.
When searching for a water source, you’ll want to look for clear running water and streams as opposed to murky pools. Stay away from tea colored stained water which probably holds decaying leaf matter. Avoid areas where animals have been active.
Never drink from a stream unless you filter or sterilize the water first. Even crystal clear running water sources can be contaminated with parasites and bacteria that will make you very sick.
There are basically three ways we can treat water to make it safe for drinking; water filters and purifiers, boiling, and chemical treatment.
Water purifiers and filters both remove bacteria and protozoan cysts mechanically by forcing water through a filter process. There are many types of both filters and purifiers and you should familiarize yourself with some of the pros and cons when shopping. Micron filters of 0.2 are about the best filters out for filtering out the smallest bacterial agents. Purifiers go a little further than filters and neutralize viruses.
Boiling water is effective, but the efforts required (building a fire or using a stove, using a cooking vessel, etc.) make it a little unrealistic for a mobile hunter.
Iodine and chlorine are best recommended for chemically treating your water and a purifier is still recommended with the process. Several chemical treatment products are available in shops that sell outdoors equipment. The most common complaints about chemical treatments are the aftertaste caused by the chemicals.
We depend on water for life. Don’t overlook the importance of a fresh water supply for your next hiking or hunting trip. Stay hydrated, and have a great and safe hunting season.
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