Keeping Hydrated in a Crisis

Unsanitary conditions spread disease

Unfortunately, Haiti is in the news again for another catastrophe. This time it is because of an outbreak of cholera. Cholera is a disease unknown to most Americans because we have an ample supply of clean water. Not so in Haiti and other disaster-ravaged places around the world.

Cholera is marked by severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. It inevitably leads to dehydration. If you can keep a patient hydrated, chances are they can fight off the bug themselves, although sometimes they need a course of antibiotics.

In the wake of a serious disaster, we too could find ourselves battling cholera. Even more likely, there could be another pandemic flu outbreak. Or what if you have a sick family member and are plum out of cash to buy some Pedialyte or Gatorade? You wouldn’t use a credit card, would you? ;) Or maybe there’s a blizzard and you find yourself snowed in with sick children for several days. Whatever the scenario, it is important that you are able to treat your family when dehydration is a concern.

Here’s a homemade electrolyte drink that was passed to me by an RN during the H1N1 scare. Print it off and add it to your preparedness binder.


MAKE YOUR OWN ELECTROLYTE DRINK:

1 qt water
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp table salt
3-4 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt substitute (You may wonder why this included. It has potassium.)

Mix well. Can be flavored with lemon juice or sugar-free Kool-Aid.


These are the notes from Ursie: "If a family member is having trouble keeping down any fluids, this can be spoon fed. Some will prefer it cold...others just room temperature. KEEP SPOONING. This is the mix that is used in crisis situations world-wide, when IVs are not available. It can save lives. NOTE: Check with your pediatrician or other MD re: their opinion on the situation. In normal circumstances...an MD will want to SEE a child who is dehydrated.

This mix is for when things go bad in society or when there is an epidemic...and a doctor visit may not be possible."

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I hope "third world diseases" like cholera never become an issue in the USA, but you never know what could happen in TEOTWAWKI. Get ready now!