DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! ( NOT ALCOHOL)

By: Lt Col Dan Myers
Safety Officer, Arizona Wing

We’ve seen too many CAP Form 78s (mishap notification) and CAP Form 79s (mishap investigation) where a CAP member has become ill from a phenomenon known as dehydration.

Yes, we’ve talked about this before but some pearls of wisdom bear worth repeating as we approach the mid-point of our 101 Critical Days.

Dehydration is a pronounced lack of body fluids, caused most commonly by sweating, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or evaporation of fluids from the lungs. Signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, dark yellow to brownish urine, headache, dizziness, very dry “cottonmouth”, difficulty in speaking coherently, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, drowsiness, and fever.

Treatment for dehydration includes avoidance of energy loss and replacement of fluids and salt. Get the victim out of a hot environment, and urge him/her to drink fluids.
Depending on the severity, and if you are uncertain about the assessment, get professional medical help ASAP.

Some tips:

1. Drink all the water you need, even if you are not thirsty and always when thirsty. Some experts recommend six to eight glasses per day under normal circumstances.
2. Drink water while eating. Do not skip meals.
3. Maintain good physical conditioning.
4. Dress for the environment. Light colored cotton clothing with a wide brimmed hat for extended outdoors exposure.
5. Carry light loads.
6. When endurance is going to be a problem, cut down on unnecessary talking. Ration your water.

Do not keep your emergency water supply in plastic bottles which are subject to heat contamination and or mold. Rather, use stainless steel bottles. Lots of them available on the commercial market.

Last but not least, moderate or do not smoke tobacco products or drink alcoholic beverages. These substances rob your body of needed nutrients.