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Friday 19 May 2017

Don't Ride Without It: Water



Either you ride for century, bikepacking, touring or just rush on the street, water its one of absolutely list things to carry. You may experience loose of drink water in the middle of the ride without any shop or house on your sight. How you survive? Why water its important? How to manage your water in the middle of nowhere? Here's a few things to consider: 

Humans can go without water for only a few days. High and low temperatures, a lack of shade, dry or windy conditions, and other factors can further reduce the amount of liquid reserves left in the body and dramatically reduce the time available for waterless survival. When too much salt is in your system, water is leached from individual cells to compensate for and correct the imbalance. The body fights this by urinating to remove the salt, so we urinate more water than we drink. The result is dehydration.

The body compensates for the fluid loss by increasing the heart rate and constricting blood vessels to maintain blood pressure and flow to vital organs. Eventually, you’ll feel nausea, weakness and delirium. As you become more dehydrated, the brain and other organs receive less blood, which leads to coma, organ failure and eventually death.

Prevent Dehydration

Even when you are not thirsty, drink small amounts of water at regular intervals to prevent dehydration. Rinse your mouth for 30 seconds before swallowing. Most of your thirst comes from a dry mouth. regular intervals helps your body remain cool and decreases sweating. When bundled up during cold weather you may be unaware that you are losing body moisture. You must drink water to replace this lost fluid. Your need for water is as great in a cold environment as it is in a hot environment.


Over-hydration

Over-hydration can occur if total water intake exceeds what your kidneys and sweat glands can process. A rule of thumb is that consumption that exceeds 1.5 liters per hour can result in over-hydration. Over-hydration can cause low serum sodium levels resulting in cerebral and pulmonary edema, and, possibly, death. 



Finding Water

If you bikecamp in wilderness, animals can often lead you to water. Grazing animals, such as deer, are usually never far from water and typically drink at dawn and dusk. Birds can sometimes lead you to water. When they fly straight and low, they are heading for water. When returning from water, they are full and will fly from tree to tree, resting frequently. 

Insects, especially bees, can be good indicators of water. Bees seldom range more than a few miles from their nests or hives. They will usually have a water source close by. Ants need water as well. A column of ants marching up a tree is likely going to a source of water. A good source of water is dew. By stretching out a sheet of plastic you can capture dew during the night.

If you find a muddy area, there may be groundwater available. Dig a hole about a foot deep and one foot in diameter and wait. You may be surprised to find that the hole is soon filled with water. This groundwater will be muddy, but straining it through some cloth will clean it up, and it will get you by in the short term.

Vegetation helps supply you with water as well. Fruits, coconuts, cacti, vines, palm trees and bamboo can be good sources of liquid sustenance. Bend the top of a green bamboo tree down about a foot off the ground and tie it off. Cut a few inches off the tip, put a container underneath and leave it overnight. The next day, you should have a nice amount of clear, drinkable water.


Last...

Riding without bring a water just stupid. Never put yourself in situation to find a water, plan your route wisely and that's mean including where to find water and food supply.


Source:
American Survival Guide magazine, spring 2017
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com


Ride On!



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