How to Stay Hydrated in the Desert

You're in the middle of the Nevada desert when your car breaks down. The temp can reach as high as 125 degrees F at high noon. The average person can live for about a week without food, so that's not your main concern. What IS on your mind is the fact that you've drank every drop of Dasani and you're getting thirsty. What to do?

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A cool head
• Something from your car that can collect water
• Blanket, jacket or something to keep you warm at night

1. Stay calm! If you're faced with the situation described above, the worst thing to do is freak out. Asses your situation, gather up supplies and get moving for help.

2. Keep your head covered. But make sure whatever you wear on your head is well ventilated. Your head needs to breathe. Covering it completely in the desert during the day may lead to a heatstroke.

3. The desert nights often get cool enough that dew forms on plants. A good way to collect water in the morning is to find leafed plants and use your water bottle, bucket, whatever you have, and collect the water into it. If no plants are around, make preparations the night before by taking a piece of plastic, a garbage bag, etc., and set it out at night. That will collect dew just as plants would.

4. Another good source of water may come from plants such as cacti. Dig up the plant and you are very likely to find a few tablespoons of water. It's not enough to live on, but it's better than nothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Rest during the day when it's the hottest, and walk for help during the night.
• If you get severely dehydrated, drinking urine may be a literal lifesaver.
• It's not a good idea to drink alcoholic or caffeinated drinks as this will only dehydrate you more.