(Modern Survival.org) – How Much Water Should You Drink per Hour During Intense Exercise Sessions?
- 1 Gallon
- 1.5 Gallons
- 2 Quarts
- 1 Quart
Answer: 1 Quart. Here’s why…
The importance of staying hydrated in a survival situation is a hot topic among preppers, bushcrafters, and hikers alike, with good reason. In as little as three days without water, death can come knocking.
But what happens when a person becomes overhydrated? Is overhydration even possible?
Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia
The answer is yes, it is possible to become overhydrated. Just as dehydration is potentially fatal, so too is overhydration. The condition known as exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) occurs when too much water is consumed during times of extreme physical activity, such as exercise.
EAH is caused when the blood becomes diluted from too much water, leading to low levels of sodium. Sweating also causes the body to lose sodium, increasing the risk of developing EAH during extreme physical activity.
The symptoms of EAH include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Drowsiness/fatigue
- Muscle spasms/cramps
In extreme cases, EAH can lead to coma or even death. So how much water is too much?
Track Water Intake
According to WebMD, 8 ounces of water should be consumed every fifteen minutes during extreme workouts to avoid dehydration. During an hour-long exercise session, this would be 32 ounces (1 quart) of water. To avoid the onset of EAH, avoid drinking more than 48 ounces (1.5 quarts) of water while exercising. Consuming sports drinks with electrolytes instead of water can also help to prevent EAH.
The human body can be a complicated machine to keep operational. Without food or water, it quickly deteriorates, eventually leading to death.
To see how long a person can go without food before their body shuts down, check out our article here.
~Here’s to Your Survival!
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