[Philmont] Water

I see nothing dangerous or wrong with not using a hydration bladder. I
have always told my crews that everyone carries 3 1 liter nalgenes and a
2 or 3 liter collapsible. If they chose to use a hydration bladder,
that is OK as long as they have equivalent capacity. I bought and used
a hydration bladder on a few shakedowns and decided that I like using
nalgene bottles better. My packs all have a pocket that I can keep a
nalgene in that I can grab and drink from while moving. Also there are
plenty of chances to stop and drink - when meeting another crew on a
narrow trail, stopping a few seconds to enjoy a nice vista, etc. I see
bottles vs bladders as a personal preference issue with no right or
wrong answer.

Phil Brown

________________________________

From: Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:Philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of
Jim Moss
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 10:48 PM
To: Philmont List Member
Subject: [Philmont] Water

The studies did not look at how much water the person was carrying, but
at the actual hydration of the person. Those who drink more often when
they feel the need are better hydrated then those that are not. That is
what bladders do.

Stopping and drinking every 20 minutes was abandoned by the Army in the
70's because it was so ineffective.

Hydration is not how much water you drink. Hydration is having enough
water and drinking enough water when you body is able to drink and wants
to drink. Hydration is keeping enough water in the body. Not too much
and not too little. I would have revolted the first time on your trek
because I dislike heat and go through a lot of water. I would have been
stopping every 5 minutes, unscrewing a Nalgene and drinking. Probably
messing up your orderly lines, but I would have been properly hydrating.
Not every 20 minutes but when my body needs it. Not when you think I
need it but when I am thirty. (I find it hard to drink from a Nalgene
while hiking.)

What is the difference between watching someone unscrew a bottle and
suck on a tube? You are either looking or you are not. Both can fake
drinking water when they are not.

A better test is the capillary refill test or just squeezing someone's
arm. (Same test they do on horses.) If the skin does not respond quickly
they are dehydrated. Being cold, irritable or having a headache in the
front part of your forehead around your eyes is additional indications
of dehydration.

More importantly, why are you watching everyone drink? There seems to
be an issue with inadequate training or trust? What is the difference
between marines and 14 year olds? I say nothing. I believe that a group
of 14 year olds at Philmont do not need to be monitored, they need to be
trained and trusted. Watched, yes, just like the marines, but trained
and trusted. We need to get out of the capacity of "follow me boys" and
into the role of "learn from me boys."

Move out of the 60's because it is dangerous.

Jim Moss

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Received on Thu Jul 19 08:19:16 2007