Drinking Water In The Outdoors

What Is Hydration?

In addition to a clear thinking mind, hydration, or ensuring that your body has sufficient water to function properly is undoubtedly the second most important factor to your survival. The clear thinking mind, being the most important.

In biology, hydration means providing an adequate amount of water to body tissues. Scientific studies show that water percentage in humans can vary from the low 40’s in the obese to highs of 70% in the newborn.

While there is substantial variation in these studies based on age, weight, health, and gender most studies agree that, in adults of all ages, the human body is approximately 65% water.

How Important Is Water?

If we think of the rule of 3’s for a moment, we see that it states ;

1) 3 minutes without air,

2) 3 days without water, and

3) 3 weeks without food.

While this statement can be flexible in the area of ‘ food ‘, it has little or no leeway in the first two statements.

Bad Things In Your Water

Cryptosporidiosis, E.Coli, Giardia and Hepatitis A. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are Protozoa. Protozoa are single-celled animals and human parasites. They are known to cause diseases such as Dysentery, Giardiasis, and Malaria.

These are the two most common parasites found in North America bodies of water. They are literally found in all bodies of water and their source is animal and human waste – animal scat and human bowel activity.

The study of these organisms would provide a lifetime of work to biologists, and is not the purpose of this article, however, we can all agree that these living organisms are present in our drinking water and we need to protect ourselves from them.

 

How To Safely Drink Water In The Outdoors

Given my experience, see my previous post, LifeStraw-personal-water-filter, and an extensive body of scientific evidence it is quite evident that the use of water filters is of the utmost importance while quenching our thirst in the wilds of Nature.

There are many water filters available for use in our outdoor activities, however, the easiest to use and most reliable is the LifeStraw.This water filter is so easy to use and inexpensive that not carrying one is almost frivolous and reckless.

You simply use it as a straw to drink from a lake, creek or river – or dip your cup in the water and then use the LifeStraw to drink from your cup or container.

These are some of its specifications and awards.

• Award-winning LifeStraw has been used by millions around the globe since 2005
• Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction) and surpasses EPA standards for water filters
• Removes minimum 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction) and filters to an amazing 0.2 microns
• Filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water WITHOUT iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals
• Comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing for emergencies

This very useful and necessary piece of outdoor technology can be purchased for under 20 dollars in North America, making it a no-excuse item to carry in your backpack or to have at home in the event of an emergency.

What a great birthday or holiday gift idea for all your outdoor “junkies”!