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WATER: WHY YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT!
Water comprises 70% of our bodies, our biochemical reactions occur in it, our body temperature is regulated by excreting it, & it removes bodily wastes; water is essential to life.
70% of Australia is semi-arid to arid desert; travelling through the outback not only requires water, but also knowledge about water. The average person can expect to survive without water for only 2-5½ days depending on climate & what they try to do.
How Much Is Enough?
• Normal activity: c8-10 (240ml) glasses/ day (1.9 to 2.4L).
• Minimum water requirement in the bush is 4L/ person/ day drinking water, +4L for washing, plus extra in case of stranding/ breakdown/ lost.
Thirst is not always a reliable guide & can lead to under consumption of your daily requirement. To prevent “voluntary” dehydration, use the following temperature guide:
• <38oC, drink ½L of water/ hour.
• >38oC, drink 1L/ hour
Symptoms of too little water include constipation, itching, nose bleeds, urinary infections, sneezing, sinus problems & headache.
Assuming a 12-hour working day, the recommended water consumption would be:
Location Mean When Recommended
days/year consumption
>35oC L/p/d
Wagin (Central SW) 19 Nov-Mar: 12 Apr-Oct 6 minimum
Perth Airport 26 Nov-Mar: 12 Apr-Oct: 6 min
Kalgoorlie (Goldfields) 40 Oct-Mar: 12 Apr-Sep: 6 min
Newman (Pilbara) 137 Oct-Apr: 12 May-Sep: 6 min
Fitzroy Crossing (Kimberley) 209 Sep-Apr: 12 May-Aug: 6 min
What to Do In an Emergency:
If you are lost/ stranded in a vehicle, stay there; it is easier to spot, & a good shade source; temperatures are significantly reduced 0.3m above the ground surface. Air temperature, humidity & physical activity affect water requirements in the desert.
Ways to minimise water loss include:
• Find shade, avoid direct sunlight;
• Place something between you & the hot ground;
• Limit movement/ labour in daytime;
• Conserve your sweat.
• Cover up; protect from hot blowing winds &/or direct sun.
• Breath through your nose (reduces transpiration).
• Drink in small sips
• If water is scarce, do not eat; water is consumed during metabolism.
• Do not drink urine unless distilled.
I’m So Thirsty.
Tricks on how to get water in the desert;
Rain water:
• Rock formations accumulate rainwater & a possible spring/ soak
• Salt lakes, after rain the top 3mm of water is fresh & can be syphoned off
• Farm/ station dams/ soaks
Groundwater: Dig at the outside bend of a river bed, use a rag to soak & ring out.
Catch/ condense atmospheric moisture:
• Place plastic bags over the ends of a branch with leaves.
• Dessert still: dig a hole, place a cup in the middle/ bottom, place a tarp/ plastic sheet over the hole weighted down & sloping down to the cup • Wrap rags around your legs & walk through heavy grassland at dawn/ dusk, ring out
Vegetation: Tree roots contain moisture which can be drained,
Locate an oasis/ dam/ soak: Follow animal tracks
Distilling: boil salty water, collect the steam, & condense it using a long tube to a container
Hyponatremia
Consumption of excess water; it is a common electrolyte imbalance, typically where >15-20L water has not been adequately excreted.
Sources: FirstScience, Bureau of Meteorology, US Army Field Manual, US Bureau of Land Management, WA Police, Wikipedia
HydroSolutions Pty Ltd
We are a specialist hydrogeological consultancy providing expert services including investigation, potable & process resource development & dewatering. Our environmental capabilities include contaminated site investigation, remediation & risk assessment – qualitative/ quantitative, health, & ecological.
Visit us at: www.HydroSolutions.com.au?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
Broadband NetMeeting conferencing available for remote sites.
Stuart Jeffries, Hydrosolutions Pty Ltd
via Hydrosolutions | Groundwater and Environmental Consultants http://hydrosolutions.com.au
