...My second favourite is tictac candy by eating just one candy at a time, let it kind of melt (tic tac is quite hard so it'll last long) and make the minty feeling on your mouth. If your mouth produce the saliva then just swallow it. So its like I drink my own saliva. A chewing gum might also do the trick but tictac lasts longer.

...

....The most important thing to control in a survival situation is yourself. Controlling one's mental outlook is huge. Creating a set of rules for your actions is critical. The 'sucking stone' is a reminder that you have a plan in-place to maximize the resources you have.

Wayne; Agree 10000% about the need to focus on the mind. Appraise the situation, human or weather threats, shelter, source for more water and food.... no one is starving that first day. Have to watch water so you don’t get dehydration headaches. You have experience with dry climes and other forms of survival, so how did you prevent them from occuring?

I think sucking stones is less weird then some people I have seen who collect spoons or brake parts for old farm carriages!

...You have experience with dry climes and other forms of survival, so how did you prevent them from occuring?

There is a relationship between food input and the amount of water required. If you eat, you require additional water for the digestion process. Regardless of the amount of food on-hand, the amount you eat depends upon the amount of water available. In a low-water situation, you are better not to eat at all or severely limit your consumption (regardless of the amount of food available).

The exception to this rule is vegetables/fruits that contain high-water content; these include: Cantaloupe, Baby Carrots, Oranges, Grapefruit, Broccoli, Strawberries, Spinach, Watermelon, Cauliflower, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Radishes, Celery, Lettuce, Cucumber. Each of these have water content in excess of 90%. So when it comes to this, you can eat your water.

As to water consumption, in a low-water available situation, this is what is taught in military survival schools (I'm not sure if this reflects today's line of thinking, but it's what I would adopt in an emergency):

1. If you're uninjured, refrain from water for 24 hours (this switches the preservation trigger and resets the body to slow down the loss).
2. Water is better stored within the body than outside it (but only to a degree).
3. The military use a minimum intake ratio of 1L/day (per 150 pound man) added to this is the effort scale. Obviously if you're humping a 100 pound pack on a mountainous jungle trail in severe heat, you require more water than if you are at rest in a boreal forest under shade.
4. Whatever you have available should be divided into 4 or 6 hour rations.
5. All of the ration should be consumed at once.
6. If available, a small fingernail quantity (1/16 tsp) of salt should be taken in the mouth first and left to dissolve before drinking (for each 8 ounces of water).
7. The water/salt relationship is huge. Lack of salt can cause fatigue, muscle cramps and disorientation.

Anyway Clarence, just a few points that come to mind... 🙂

...You have experience with dry climes and other forms of survival, so how did you prevent them from occuring?

As to water consumption, in a low-water available situation, this is what is taught in military survival schools (I'm not sure if this reflects today's line of thinking, but it's what I would adopt in an emergency):

1. If you're uninjured, refrain from water for 24 hours (this switches the preservation trigger and resets the body to slow down the loss).
2. Water is better stored within the body than outside it (but only to a degree).
3. The military use a minimum intake ratio of 1L/day (per 150 pound man) added to this is the effort scale. Obviously if you're humping a 100 pound pack on a mountainous jungle trail in severe heat, you require more water than if you are at rest in a boreal forest under shade.
4. Whatever you have available should be divided into 4 or 6 hour rations.
5. All of the ration should be consumed at once.
6. If available, a small fingernail quantity (1/16 tsp) of salt should be taken in the mouth first and left to dissolve before drinking (for each 8 ounces of water).
7. The water/salt relationship is huge. Lack of salt can cause fatigue, muscle cramps and disorientation.

Anyway Clarence, just a few points that come to mind... 🙂

Thanks Wayne. Will have to remember the salt trick.

The Israeli's have done studies and after humping the hills in Afg.I know ill go through at least 1 l of water an hour in hot extreme climates . they hiked a company around the perimeter of their country during summer,with no heat related injuries.

Jimbo,

My son did 2 tours in Afghanistan as a close protection operator. What unit did you serve with and when? What was your MOSMOC? I did 7 years with the CF Reserve as a SAR Pilot, 400 Squadron in Downsview.

Jimbo,

Look at throwing one of these in your vehicle. Great for turning on outdoor taps you find at malls etc.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-4-Way-Sillcock-Key-UWP0002D/204284856

Picked one up for under 5 $ Home Despot
Nearly 30 yrs I did 2 tours Bosnia 2 tours Afg 1 Persian gulf sail reg inf 031 then Hull Tech... VP

Now you will be itching to try it out

Nearly 30 yrs I did 2 tours Bosnia 2 tours Afg 1 Persian gulf sail reg inf 031 then Hull Tech... VP

Decided to go Navy after infantry? Enough of humping in the field... 🙂

When were you in Afghanistan? PPCLI? When did you get out? I have a number of buddies who were CF Snipers.

My three sons have or are currently serving in the CF. One is a Hospital Administrator in Ottawa (Army Captain) and the youngest is a Steward/Ship's Diver (killick) on the Montreal (currently in Norfolk). He has a cruise coming up in July to the Med. My son who was in Afghanistan is now with the RCMP in the lower mainland.

I've heard life straws don't work for viruses and the berkey water bottle won't either. It doesn't have the white filter in it. I've heard the sawyer filter does everything. I have a Katadyn camp filter but I need to add purification tablets and wait. We hiked in a heat wave with my buddy and two oldest. I brought 7ltrs plus 3 emergency rations each. 7ltrs was frozen. Buddy brought two room temperature bottles. 15.5kms in the mountain range and the first river was at the end. We went through everything and had to use some to keep cool (wet bandanas. The beaver water was off the trail and very unappealing. Injury/ heat/ slow moving kids/ partners miscalculation. I never have less that 4ltrs for myself with filtering. Check your partner too; especially if he's a sheeple. BTW those life water life boat rations taste like plastic garbage. You'd have a real hard time getting your wife or kids to drink it. Me and my buddy drank ours and we left the good stuff for the kids. Good idea to keep at least a ltr each in the car too. This made my hikes a lot more pleasurable more than once

I've heard life straws don't work for viruses and the berkey water bottle won't either. It doesn't have the white filter in it. I've heard the sawyer filter does everything...

Berkey claims that their black filters do filter viruses ( https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/studies/analytical-services-virus-test ). I have one and purchased it for how quickly it filters (with 4 filters), Replacement of the filters is required ($200) after approximately 12,000 gallons.

If I'm mobile, I use the Sawyer mini. Although it needs to be cleaned every so often, Sawyer claims that each unit is capable of filtering 100,000 gallons. It only weighs 2 ounces and costs around $35.00 How sweet is that?

I use a hydration pack. It can be filled directly from any stream or scummy pond, as I have the Sawyer attached inline with the drinking tube. A really quick way of clean water delivery.

https://selfreliantschool.com/berkey-sports-bottle-review/

Wayne this is what I've heard before about the berkey sport water bottle. Except I was told to use iodine as the berkey water filter; filters that.

I've heard life straws don't work for viruses and the ....If I'm mobile, I use the Sawyer mini. Although it needs to be cleaned every so often, Sawyer claims that each unit is capable of filtering 100,000 gallons. It only weighs 2 ounces and costs around $35.00 How sweet is that?

I use a hydration pack. It can be filled directly from any stream or scummy pond, as I have the Sawyer attached inline with the drinking tube. A really quick way of clean water delivery.

I use the same kit. Light, cheap and effective. I have larger katadyn units for home or vehicle use as well.