DEHYDRATION

Water is essential for nearly every
bodily function, including digestion,
respiration. brain activity.
and regulation of body
temperature.
Moisture is lost through
breathing, sweating, digestion,
and urination. If a
person gives off more water
than he takes in, he is suffering
from dehydration. It can
affect him in any of the
following ways:
• Fatigue
• Headache and body aches
• Confusion
Heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hypothermia can all be caused in
part by dehydration.

FIRST AID FOR DEHYDRATION
Prolect yourself from dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
That's easy 10 do on hot summer days when you are thirsty. It is
iu. t as important in cold weather when you might nol feel like
drinking. Drink enough so that your urine stavs clear.
Having plem . of drinking water in the backcountry can somelimes
he a challen e. hut you must make the effort. It might
involve purifying stream wider. melting snow. or carrying all you
need from home. For information on safe drinking water for the
backcountrv. see pages 255-56.