Still learning after all these years! (Still making stupid mistakes after all these years, too!)

It's been cold here, down to 17?. I was busy at work, didn't drink enough, and it was cold at home because there was no one home to keep the stove going. I went to bed and couldn't get warm. Three wool blankets & a down comforter, and I was still freezing. Hardly slept at all.

Thirsty the next day, kept drinking, got rehydrated. Was warm that night, even though temps were still low. Odd.

About 3 days later, repeated the lack of fluid intake, froze again that night.

Duh, the light bulb is glowing dimly.

I googled HYPOTHERMIA+DEHYDRATION. Bingo!

Hey, guess what? Dehydration contributes to hypothermia!

Sigh. "Stupid is as stupid does!" <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sue

dehydration + cold temps = freezer burn <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Very Interesting. I will have to do some research. I thought I knew everything, but that must have slipped by somehow. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the info!
I suppose that since you need water to process food into fuel, It does make sense. BTW, you don't have a monopoly on stupid mistakes. Fortunatly for me, there is no category for that in the Nobel Prizes.

You know, there's an idea. For a trip to Mars, we could freeze dry the astronauts, then rehydrate them with hot water when they get there. We need a Graemlin with a midget lightbulb overhead to show a brilliant idea!

My double flood light just came on when I read your post. In November I went on a campout with my Cub Scout and liked to froze it off all night with 40 degree temperatures in North Florida. I had generated copious amounts of sweat putting up my tent and another tent along with everything that was suppose to make our nights "cozy". I evidently failed to rehydrate enough to stay warm. That had to be one of the most miserable nights I have ever spent outside. I did not think it would ever end. One big lesson learned here. Thanks!!


ONE DAY CLOSER

I believe that not eating will contribute to Hypothermia as well, Your body needs food to generate heat and water to process it. Even lacking food, you body can process fat reserves but still needs water to do it.

Thanks from still another for bringing up this fact. You don't want to learn these facts the hard way........

Jon