This post was last updated on July 16th, 2021 at 11:36 am
The Effects of Dehydration
Water is obviously a very important part of your body. In the table below, you can see just what will happen if you get dangerously dehydrated. The main reason I made this table is for you to able to identify just how dehydrated you or a companion might be. By observing the signs, you will know the severity of water loss and how quickly you will need to react to the situation. There are almost always ways to procure water in the wilderness.
At higher elevations it is especially easy to become dehydrated. Be careful on the trail and always make sure water is your top priority. You can survive a long time without food, but lack of water will kill you quickly. See the graph below to find out exactly what effects will happen after you start becoming dehydrated. It is important for you to be able to recognize these symptoms so you can take action and acquire water ASAP.
| 1-5% water loss | 6-10% Loss | 11-12% Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Difficulty in breathing | Stiffness in your joints |
| Nausea | Inability to walk | Deafness |
| Lethargy | Limbs begin tingling | Defective Vision |
| Drowsiness | Blurred Vision | Shriveled Skin |
| Loss of Appetite | Swollen Tongue | Lack of feeling in your skin |
| Darkened Urine | Slurred Speech | Inability to swallow |
| Discomfort | Bluing of Extremities | Unconsciousness |
| Thirst | Dry Mouth | Delirium |
| Impatience | Dizziness | Death |