The “default” mode for outdoor participants, particularly youth, probably tends toward dehydration as opposed to being sufficiently hydrated. Why? Most will use the “thirsty” reflex to determine when to consume water, but at that point, most commentators take the view that the body is already significantly dehydrated (possibly up to a quart or so), and that the amount of water then consumed does not totally overcome the body’s state of dehydration, so the participant (Scout) is continually playing catch-up.
Indeed, it is estimated that 75% of the population is chronically dehydrated.
How can an adult leader deal with the issue of hydration for those under their care during an outdoor activity?
First, gain an understanding of what the day’s weather will bring! Will it be sunny, cloudy, cold, warm, or windy, and what will the heat index be during the day, all environmental factors that assist in determining what degree of risk dehydration might be during the activity.
Next, take stock of the planned activity, and the potential hydration burden it may present in view of the anticipated weather.
Next, take stock of the participants themselves, including their respective body mass and fitness levels.
Also, prior to the beginning of an activity, assess what you think the hydration state of the group is. For example, if starting an activity such as a hike on a Saturday morning (and departing from home), it is not likely that the participants have spent much time over the past 12 hours or so consuming any meaningful amount of water, if at all.
To ignore the initial hydration state of the group may cause the group to begin an activity already in a dehydrated state, which can only become worse during the course of the day (such as a hike) with predictable results, thus diminishing the enjoyment of, and ability to, complete the activity. It may accordingly be appropriate to have the participants, prior to the beginning of the activity (or departure from home), consume sufficient water to provide some reserve during the early stages of the day.
Further, regular water breaks during the activity are also useful. But, which adult volunteer has not heard the response from a Scout “But I’m not thirsty”. Again, most are conditioned to drink when thirsty, not to drink to avoid being thirsty. Participants must be monitored during such breaks to confirm that adequate water is being consumed. This also means adults!
And, the end of the day is also an important time to ensure adequate water is consumed, so that the next day does not bring a significant water deficiency, thus starting the cycle all over again.
Finally, put a plan in place that ensures that there is enough available water to meet the planned for needs (or modify the activity accordingly) !
And, remember, proper hydration is important irrespective of the season, or temperature!
The symptoms of dehydration are important to recognize (and in the author’s experience, some Scouts will be found to be more susceptible to the effects of dehydration than others), so here are some of the symptoms of dehydration (among others) of which adult volunteers should be aware:
- headache
- dizziness
- excessive thirst
- nausea
- disorientation or confusion
- fatigue
- decreased urine output/dark urine color
- flushed, dry skin
- fainting
- cramping
Indeed, the author is aware of an adult leader who, while participating on a high adventure trek, fainted as a result of being severely dehydrated. The leader later admitted to ignoring the physical challenges of the trek in an attempt to maintain the pace with the group, particularly in view of their son.
Coincidentally, during a recent risk management session, the author was informed by a female leader that her female scouts tended toward NOT drinking water during an outing to avoid having to urinate in the woods. This potentially leads to a whole set of health and safety issues for leaders associated with female scout troops.
And, there may be conditions of such extreme temperature that maintaining proper hydration becomes impossible. See this story about hiker deaths in the extreme summer heat of Arizona:
It is accordingly important to realize that having one or more participants fall prey to the ill effects of dehydration will cause the group’s “zone of operation” to change from one where the group’s abilities exceed or match the challenges of the activity, to one where the group’s abilities have fallen below that required by the activity.
The depicted urine color chart at left may be instructive in determining the level of hydration.
Of course, being aware of the physical state of participants (Scouts and adults) is an integral part of an adult leader’s duty of care. Adult leaders should accordingly pay attention to the physical and emotional state of the participants during an activity!