This fit tip is brought to you from the bowels of the earth, along the Colorado riverbank in the Grand Canyon. We boarded our boat at Lees Ferry, traveled 188 miles through 70 rapids during a six day, five night white water rafting trip down the Colorado. We left the Grand Canyon via helicopter, just before Lake Meade. Our family had a great time and it was one of the best trips we’ve ever experienced!
How hot was it? The temperature was 105-110 degrees. It was so hot that in parts of the Grand Canyon, our guides referred to the area as the “face melt.” When the sun bounced off the rocks, boulders and granite that are millions of years old, we felt as if we were in a rock oven. Every rapid we went through we were excited to get wet from the 50 degree water temperature.
The number one concern our guides had was not that of anyone falling off the boat during a rapid or injuries while we hiked or camped. Our guide’s number one concern for each of us was hyponatremia, or severe dehydration which could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. As a matter of fact, they explained the only emergency evacuation they have ever had to make was due to hyponatremia.
Our guides not only maneuvered our boats through class 10 rapids, they also cooked for us. Every meal and snack we consumed lots of sodium or salty foods. Why? Where sodium goes, water goes as well. In arid environments, you must eat the salt. Salt helps you to hold onto water. Of course we drank tons of water and lemonade. However, if we had not also consumed salt, the liquid would have evaporated from our bodies as quickly as we drank it.
Symptoms of hyponatremia are: nausea, vomiting, confusion, fatigue, loss or appetite, irritability, muscle weakness/spasms/cramps, seizures, decreased consciousness or even coma.
What salty foods did we eat to help us stay hydrated? Sausage, bacon, cheese, lunch meats, pickles, olives, tuna, potato chips, salty snacks, salted nuts, canned vegetables, canned meats and much more. Our guides sprinkled salt on everything they cooked.
In the desert, you don’t visibly sweat as much as you do in less arid environments. The only way you can monitor your hydration level is with your urination. If you can pee, you are hydrated. Eat the salt, drink plenty of water and swim in the cold water for desert survival.
P.S. #1 Of course you should avoid highly salty foods in non-arid environments because it can cause hypertension or high blood pressure.
P.S. #2 I highly recommend Western River Expeditions for the best Grand Canyon white water rafting experiences. Our guides were absolutely fabulous! They cooked for us, educated us, set up our outdoor toilet (only for #2) for us and took great care of us. My only disappointment: the guides declined when I asked them to be my “wife”!
You Go Girl! Lynne Brick, BSN
Last week’s question: What year did the WNBA start? The WNBA was formed in 1996, the year the US women won the gold medal at the Olympic games. The league began in 1997.
This week’s question: Should women drink more water than men?
Corny Joke: What kind of bees give milk? Boobees
Sources:
www.LynneBricks.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyponatremia/DS00974/DSECTION=symptoms