From: Dewey Hemphill (dewrayh@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Dec 13 2002 - 09:53:55 CST
Ouch, John! Where was your vigorous objection when the initial author of this
observation posted it a few weeks ago?:)
In any event, thanks for your vigor and your willingness to share what you have
learned. I have finally reached a point in life where I am happy to learn from
others' experiences, rather than learn the hard way.
Based on what you, and others, have said on the subject the pack is clearly a
reasonable addition to my pack weight, and that of my son's...and Camelback is
what I will go after.
Dewey Hemphill, ASM
Troop 276, Memphis, TN
Philmont 2003 (First timer)
--- Johnlebl@aol.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
> > Based on earlier postings it seems the larger issue is the scouts staying
> > hydrated. With the Nalgene bottles the advisors are able to gauge how much
> > they are drinking at rest stops, etc. With the hydration packs it is much
> > harder to know, especially if they are not clearly visible to the advisors.
> >
> > Bottles seem the better of the two, especially when monitoring water intake
>
> > can
> > prevent dehydration from developing.
> >
> >
> >
>
> I totally disagree with this.
>
> In concept it is correct. In parcticality use it is not.
>
> With a bottle, one usually, but not always, has to stop, take out the bottle,
>
> unscrew the cap, take a drink---again usually when stopped walking--- start
> walking, screw on the cap, put up the bottle. Then it is repeated. That is
> a lot of work for a little slug of water. So they tend to wait a little
> longer until they REALLY need a drink. By then they are already startign to
> become dehydrated, even so slightly.
>
> In contrast, with a hydration bladder, the hose is clipped near the mouth and
>
> if you use a quality bite valve, you merely lean your mouth a few centimeters
>
> toward the bite valve and nibble it slightly for a gush of fresh, cool water
> all the while not even breaking stride.
>
> My observation was crew members using hydration bladders drank more water
> easier than those using bottles. Two advisors used only bottles adn called
> for water breaks often. Most using bladders just stood there resting while
> the bottlers guzzled.
>
> When one advisor suggested one young lady drink some water, she replied "I've
>
> been drinking water the whole time you have been huffing adn puffing and
> sayint you needed a water break" which was for about fifteen minutes before
> he finally stipped.
>
> In this case, the youth had her act together a lot better than the advisor.
> I'll not mention her name, but if I should, you would just howl.
>
> Yes, it is difficult to see how much one drinks from a bladder, but drink
> they will. Wefound that when it was made so simple, so easy that the youth
> self monitored quite well.
>
> In this case it would do the adults well to follow suit.
>
> Thus they learned to be responsible for their own actions and not be babied.
>
> Which is better? You decide, but I already know. It's a learning
> experience.
>
> And if you as an advisor can't monitor water consumption from a bladder, then
>
> you need to turn in your Scout badge.
>
> Oh my gracious, did I really say that? Yes I did! With a genuine smile on
> my face.
>
> Don't hold them back, let them grow. Help them grow.
>
> One of the oldest teaching precepts is "when kids are doing it right, stay
> the hell out of their way and let them do it".
>
> Think outside of the box and make it work. Both you and the youth will be
> better off for it.
>
> John LeBlanc
> Eagle Class of 1959
> Phirst Phil Ptrek 1959
> PhilTrek 2002 630H2 Trek 16
> My latest adventure was yesterday,
> Today is not over yet!
>
>
>
=====
DH
mailto:dewrayh@yahoo.com
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