The Importance of Water in Survival

Water is essential to all life. A person can survive for 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without water, therefore its discovery and conservation should be prioritized over food. Don't wait until you have run out of water before you look for it. Conserve what you have and seek a source as soon as possible, preferably fresh running water, though all water can be sterilized by boiling or by using chemical purifiers. In  a survival situation a 1 liter jug can be made to last 3 days. This is achieved by dividing the last 1/4 liter into three, then drinking half of the day's ration at midday, and the balance at night for 3 days.
   Water is the coolant that keeps the body at an even temperature, it is needed to keep the kidneys functioning to eliminate wastes, is required for breathing, and for digestion. But the fluids contained in the body are limited. Lost water must be replaced or health and efficiency will suffer. The average human requires the minimum of 1/4 liter of water per day to survive.

WATER LOSS... The average person loses 2-3 liters of water each day, even someone resting in shade loses about 1 liter. Just breathing loses fluids, and loss through respiration and perspiration increases with work rate and temperature.  Vomiting and diarrhea increase further loss. This must all be replaced to preserve the critical water balance, either by actual water or water contained in food.

HOW TO RETAIN FLUIDS

• Avoid exertion
• Just rest
• Don't smoke
• Keep cool
• Stay in Shade... If there is none erect a cover to provide it
• Do not lie on hot ground or heated surfaces
• Don't eat, or eat as little as possible. (if there is no water available fluid will be taken from the vital organs to digest food, further increasing dehydration. Fat is the hardest to digest and takes a lot of fluid to break down)
• Never drink alcohol
• Don't talk
• Breath through your nose, not your mouth

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