Dehydration

[pkveazey]

This is something that is very common but nobody mentions it. Once in a while my wife's electrolytes get off so we keep about a dozen GATORAIDE drinks in the house. I was really thirsty many years ago so I bought myself a Gatoraide. Man that thing tasted great. About a week later, I thought that I would buy another one. What?? Damn!!!!! This thing tastes like sea water. That's when I read the label to see what was in it. Mostly Sodium and Potassium. Hmmmmm..... What a revelation. If it tastes like salt water, you don't need it. If it tastes great, then you do need it. I mentioned it to my Doctor and he said that it is a good idea to keep some on hand around the house. I told him that if I ever have to go to the hospital and I'm not unconcious I'm going to tell them to stick that fluid needle up there ass and bring me a Gatoraide. When it stops tasting good, I'll know that I've had enough.

[Nemo]

Careful.  I think rectal infusion is a completely acceptable method of replenishment of body fluids.  Be careful what you wish for.  You just might get it.

Nemo

[mechmedic]

Rectal infusion is definitely a thing. Take a camel back, cut the mouthpiece off and shove it up in there about an inch. Put whatever fluid you have for rehydration. However do not use just water. You will give them an enema which has the opposite effect of what you’re attempting. Make sure whatever fluid you use has sodium in it.

Now a word about dehydration. The biggest treatment for dehydration? Prevention. DRINK. WATER.
Gatorade is cool but you get most (like 90%) of your electrolytes from food. If you’re only going to eat part of an MRE, eat the main meal and the cheese or peanut butter. They both have sodium and the cheese and peanut butter have needed protein for energy. Dehydration is so preventable it isn’t funny. If you want a cheap oral rehydration salt take a cup of water, a salt packet, (flavoring is optional) and drink that daily if you’re in a very hot environment and sweating a lot. We had guys do that last August when we were in El Paso and the ones that did that had less issues than the ones that didn’t.
Drink water
Drink water
Drink water
Drink fucking water.

[patriotman]

.......
Drink water
Drink water
Drink water
Drink fucking water.

Drink beer? Got it 

But seriously such simple advice but the truth. Also, Gatorade is hell on your teeth according to my Dentist.

[Nemo]

Rectal infusion is definitely a thing.

Thats right.  Drink water or you will end up with parts of a camel entering your exit.

DRINK WATER!

A shake or so of salt is a good thing too.

Nemo

[JohnyMac]

When it warms up and I spend a lot of time doing outside things, I bring a large mug of poor man electrolytes with me.

My recipe is to 32 oz of water is;

1) 26 - 28 oz h20,
2) 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and
3) 4 - 6 oz of lemonade.

It is palatable in the beginning of the work detail but tastes like nectar once I work up a sweat. 

[patriotman]

Hmmm I plan to try that out.

[Nemo]

One of my meds requires sodium to properly operate.  But it drives sodium out of the body.  I eat alot of salt and if I am working outside in warm/hot weather I keep water nearby and a dozen or 2 of the little salt packets from most fast food restaurant.

I know when I am getting low because I get what I describe as a sparkly feeling that sometimes overlaps into vision.  That happens I get one of those packets and a swallow or 2 to wash it down.  About 5 mins later comes another and 5 more mins if needed number 3.  So far thats been the max I have felt were necessary.

Nemo

[mechmedic]

Food cravings can give you an idea of nutrients your missing out on. Craving salty foods normally means you’re low in sodium.

[JoJo]

 I was in basic training in the summer and we were required to take a salt tablet everyday.

[Kbop]

i've worked in hard jobs during the summer (im 6'+ and big boned too, 9.5" wrists) just call it hard to keep cool in the summer.  One trick that worked for me was either 'bat piss' or 'bug juice' or gatorade.  these had sugar and salts in them.  if you took a sip and it tasted sweet - drink it all.  if it tasted salty, drink more water.   my grandparents used left over brine from bread and butter pickles to the same effect. 
As MechMedic put it, your taste buds and cravings will help you figure out if you're dehydrated or not.

[mechmedic]

If you need to cool off quickly you can make a mini dunk tank. Take an old water cooler (like the Gatorade ones you find at construction sites) and fill it with 50/50 ice and water. It can double as a place to stick ice sheets as well. If you feel like you’re overheating to the point of heat exhaustion stick your arms in it past your elbows and hold for either 10 seconds or until you can’t stand to hold them in it anymore.
I know from personal experience how well this works. This should be labeled as non potable. Keep it separate from drinking water.

[DMCakhunter]

One thing about gatorade, in high sweat environments, you need a ratio of one bottle of gatorade to two bottles of water. Too much gatorade will make you sick.

[SemperParatus]

As an instructor in the fire service we tried several things for re-hydration of firefighter on the training ground.  We had "Cool Chairs" which looked like your garden verity folding chair but they had deep troughs to place your arms in that were filled with ice water.  This does work and works quickly to reduce the core temperature.  We mandated that all trainees must first drink two bottles or water and then they could drink one gatorade and then one water alternately.  Most firefighters on duty carry a one gallon jug of water and drink on it all day long to stay hydrated, once you start to get dehydrated you are behind the curve and it takes alot of time to catch up.  We of course also had the option of direct I.V. infusion of fluids.  As was mentioned in earlier post rectal infusion of fluids in an emergency setting is a viable option and works as well as direct I.V. access.

[patriotman]

Interesting that SP and MM both referred to dunk tank like items as a means of quickly reduxing core body temperature. Don't throw awagy those old coolers folks!

Now say we have grid down and no ice. Repeat the same thing with just cool water?

[mechmedic]

It will do better than nothing. The idea behind an ice bath is to rapidly cool the body (which is the most beneficial treatment for heat stroke, not iv fluids). If you're core temp gets too high you will start doing irreparable damage to vital organs which can lead to multi organ failure and death.

As always the best medicine is prevention. Acclimatization and hydration will prevent most of this. The rest is accomplished by following a proper work/rest cycle. There is a reason farmers wake up so damn early in the summer.

[grizz]

.......
Drink water
Drink water
Drink water
Drink fucking water.

Drink beer? Got it 

 

[grizz]

Food cravings can give you an idea of nutrients your missing out on. Craving salty foods normally means you’re low in sodium.

I somewhat disagree.

I spent years drinking Gatorade everyday, a few each day and I gained a ton of weight. But not once did it taste like salt. Now I dont drink it at all. If I feel the need for electrolytes I grab a coconut water or some fruit

If I listened to what my taste buds were telling me I would live off bacon, doughnuts and beer or some other form of alcohol. Carbs are addictive which explains the doughnuts and most alcohol.

There is no harm in bacon so that is just ignored 

[mechmedic]

It doesn’t taste like salt because they dumped sugar and flavoring in to make sure it would be drinkable.
Sodium Is definitely in it.