Drinking water.  Avoiding dehydration.

Ahhh . . . the top deck, sitting under the warming sun, cooled by sea breezes. This is what we dream about.

Even in the seemingly cool comfort of the aft deck, the body is continually moistening to keep cool and by doing so is losing liquids. All that glorious sunshine and heat can leave you seriously dehydrated. And we're not talking about just feeling thirsty. Dehydration can start with only 1% to 2% loss of the body's ideal water content. Most boaters are unaware that dehydration, in combination with heat exposure, can lead to heat exhaustion or even stroke, with young children and seniors most susceptible.

On a boat or your yacht it can be easy to avoid and, with a little care, easy to prevent.

Karla Birkholz, M.D., a member of the board of directors at the American Academy of Family Physicians, offered us some advice.

Wet your Whistle.

When your steward offers a drink, accept. On most mega yachts when the motion detectors show activity on any open deck, the steward will, or should, appear and automatically start to prepare liquid refreshments. We recommend serving guests iced water alongside whatever the libation is served. It might also be wise to have the steward replace empty glasses with filled water glasses.

Water is the body's natural coolant. Various authorities recommend that when out on deck on a hot day, you should drink one glass of water about every 15 minutes. That figure surprises many.

Time passes quickly and even while just sitting on board you are actually at work. The subtle balancing act is constant even if the yacht is barely moving or while quietly at anchor. You are always working and your body is trying to keep you cool. This applies even more to the kids who are usually hyperactive.

In the breezes on the top deck or under the blazing sun you will always see seasoned yachtsmen with glass in hand. This is not necessarily beer or booze.

After drinking several glasses or bottles of water you might alternate with a low-sugar sports drink to replace salt lost through perspiration. For variety serve water with a squeeze of lemon or lime or freshly bruised mint leaves.

Occasionally take stock

If you are thirsty, you are already behind on your fluid needs. Get out of the sun and fill up your glass. Iced water will take longer to absorb into your system, so ease up on the ice.

Choose wisely

A constant stream of mojitos, margaritas or daiquiris from the bar won't help. Beverages containing alcohol or sugar actually increase liquid loss. Even the deck favorites, sodas, beer and iced tea, can make your dehydration worse and create an unquenchable thirst. Some act as diuretics, increasing the urine production and promoting the loss of fluids.

Don't kill the party mood, but be sure to serve water and make fruit juices and sports drinks easily available. Consider this 24/7, whether lounging on deck and even while relaxing inside.

Incidentally, some boaters swear that drinking four times as much water as alcohol actually reduces the approaching hangover and also maintains the effects of the alcohol longer.

Heeding the danger signs

Be aware of the smallest signs of danger. These danger signs are extremely hard to detect on boats or aboard a yacht because they can be easily attributed to motion sickness, general yachting activities or over consumption. If anyone experiences dizziness, headache, fatigue, muscle cramps or unusually dark urine, get out of the sun immediately, drink plenty of water and apply a cold wet towel to the head and neck area.

Your Captain will recognize the danger signs and if symptoms persist will contact a local doctor.

 CONTINUED:

Subtle Signs of Severe Dehydration > > >