DRY
Dehydration: to suffer a loss of body wate.r from excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, or lack of drinking water. The condition causing dehydration must be corrected. Reduce activity and force fluids. Antibiotics or other medication should be used, if available, to help stop diarrhea or vomiting. See the Thirst section regarding lack of water
Drought: long continued dry weather and lack ol adequate rainfall. lt creates a situation wherein crop yields are partially or totally reduced. Plants die. Animals can also die from lack of adeouate feed or water. Famine can result. Human sources of water can also begin to dry resulting in another threat to human life. The solution is to store an emergency supply of water and not less than one year’s supply of food. Each family should undertake and accomplish same.
Dust: fine earthy particles fill the air making breathing difficult. A dust filled confined area may explode given an ignition soark. Reduce the cause of dust if possible. If you cannot get away from the dust, improvise an air filter for your nose and mouth using a handkerchief or piece of cloth. Protect your eyes with goggles or with your hands. Search for pockets of cleaner air. Find a wind shelter if in a dust storm, e.g. trees, buildings, hills, ditches, cars, etc. Do not panic. lf no avenue of escape is available, wait for the dust to clear.
Salt: sodium chloride, which acts as a drying agent when it dries on the skin. Drinking salt water actually increases the body’s need for fresh water. Do not drink sea water or other salty water except as recommended for first aid treatment. Use your hands to wipe the salt brine or sea water from your skin before it dries.
Sun: main source of radiant energy in our solar system. Heat of the sun increases sweating and causes the body to dry out faster. Stay in the shade, or improvise shade if exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. Replace lost body water as soon as possible (see Thirst).
Sweat Evaporation: loss of water by vaporization causing reduction of body water and evaporative cooling. See the solutions indicated under Thirst.
Thirst: an urgent desire for water caused by a debt of water owed the body. Reduce activity and pace your movements. Remain in the shade to avoid hot sun. Reduce sweating to lowest possible level. Wear light colored and lightweight clothing in a hot climate. While working in the cold, remove some clothing to prevent sweating. When overheated, try evaporative cooling by wetting clothing with water, urine, or alcohol. Do not eat anything if you have less than a quart of water per day. Do not drink alcohol, sea water, urine, battery water, fish fluids, glacier water containing crushed rock, or anything milky, salty, soapy, bitter, or oily. You can go without water for two days if your activity levels and sweating are held to a minimum. In a lifeboat situation where there is near total inactivity, you can go without water for 8 to 12 days. Look for sources of water to meet your needs. Pebbles in the mouth or small sips of water may relieve thirst, but they do not solve the problem of dehydration. Under most circumstances, you need a minimum of one quart per day to sustain life over a prolonged period. Consider rain, dew, snow, ice, surface water, mud, plants, underground water, or water collection by means of a solar still. Bamboo, vines, and various cactuses are the best plant sources. Purify all water by boiling or by adding one iodine tablet, or 5 drops of iodine, per quart. Double for cloudy water. Muddy or polluted water may taste bad, but it is generally harmless if boiled. Do not attempt to conserve water. Store it in your stomach to avoid dehydration. (See the Water section for more details).
Wind: air in motion naturally. lt can cause a wind chill and freezing in low temperatures. It can also cause wind burn and accelerated loss of body water in higher temperatures. Find a wind shelter as suggested above’ Wear appropriate clothing to protect the skin. Use a mask and goggles to protect the face and eyes. Do not move in the open when the wind is very strong.
