Proper Hydration

[SKMO]

I had my own dehydration / overheating event last Sun, Fathers day. I was on the water at 0500 and had dropped a giant glass of tea from home and a couple bottles of water while on the lake, but by 1030ish it was still flat calm and hotter than the gates of hell when they forgot to grease the hinges. Absolutely no breeze, flat mirror slick water. Sweat was running in a steady stream from my elbows. I knew I was getting too hot and dipped my shirt and kept fishing. Could not wear sunglasses as they would fog up instantly. Got weak, shakey, and light headed, and then I started to get cramps in my hands and feet which I have never experienced. My fingers were curling up like the feet of a dead chicken, seriously. Palsy claws I could not get to function.

After prying my fingers open several times only to have them draw back up I knew it was way past time to head in and drove away from biting fish. It's always something.... right?

Long story short I made a short run to the ramp, a 15 minute drive home and do not remember a lot until the next morning. I looked bad enough when I got home that my wife called a neighbor that was a nurse and she had me chew some vitamins and drink OJ, but I was pretty much out of it and had the most horrendous leg cramps all night.

Dehydrated for sure but also major electrolyte imbalance. I have always thought Gatorade and sport drinks were disgusting tasting (still do) but my wife has bought a couple years supply and has the freezer and boat stocked with them. Also my normal fishing breakfast has always been as much caffeine as I could pound down between waking up and the first cast (a lot) fortified with major and continual infusions of Skoal. So we have this new "fishing breakfast rule" that has put a bunch of granola type stuff in my boat at the expense of critical lure storage areas. Whatever. I do think the oatmeal bars have potential as panfish chum.

Seriously, the hottest I have ever been in my life, and definitely an experience I do not want to repeat.

Don't forget the electrolytes, they are important.

[mclothier1]

You got lucky!

In the heat, seriously... stay away from anything with caffeine, its a diuretic that actually makes you lose water. Coffee, Tea, Beer, save that stuff for after the trip. Probably dont want to drink any of those "energy" drinks either like Red Bull.

Gatorade and good ol water is all you need.

When it gets hot around here, and Im outside working... I have drank as much as 2 gallons a day. And only had to pee maybe twice.

[Nitro Nick]

This is an electrolyte replacement drink that isn't too bad for taste ( http://www.nuun.com/nuunis/whatisnuun.html ). Drop it in a bottle of water and it will dissolve in a couple of minutes. I'll reuse the same bottle and refill at home to offset the costs of bottled water and the tablets a bit.

You can find this in stores geared towards runners / bikers.

[MOBass]

Good info. I had taken to a lot of it already. Traded in my short sleeve cotton shirts and shorts for long sleeve "tech" shirts and even went to pants. I am more comfortable in the sleeve and pants than I ever was in short sleeves because I don't have to slather on sunscreen. Next move is to trade in my cap for a booney style hat and pick up one of those buff things to cover my neck. Also need to add sun gloves. I've done enough damage to my skin, no sense in letting it get worse.

I carry as much water and electrolyte drink as I can fit in the cooler and carry a spare cooler in the dry box if I am brining company. My rule is to drink before becoming thirsty, eat before I get hungry, and make sure that when I answer the call of nature everything is running clear. If it gets too hot I'll hole up under a tree for awhile and slide into a dock to get some shade. If aint worth dying out there.

[Gilly]

Been there done that, SKMO.

I was mowing the field a couple of years ago. My wife rides out on the ATV to see what was the matter. "Matter?" I said.

"Yeah, you've been mowing the same side for any hour.......and you're beet red."

I was having trouble thinking straight. I was totally dazed. She got me to drink some water and poured the rest on my head. She got me back to the house, got me to drinking water, tossed my sorry butt in the shower to cool down. Slept for 20+ hours waking up only to drink more water when she forced me.

I had taken 2 bottles of water out with me but apparently that wasn't enough. Sweated those out instantly.

[SKMO]

Been there done that, SKMO.

I was having trouble thinking straight.

Well, I personally have trouble thinking straight on the best of days. Those that know me would wonder how anyone could even determine when I was off in left field as compared to a "good day" as I tend to do some bonehead stuff on a regular basis.

But for sure I was a bit past the point of making great decisions. However when my hands clawed up in cramps that got my attention, and dense as I am, that was the trigger.

Hopefully not an event I will repeat... But I've said that before too!