Oh, those look cool. They look like that "Airborn" stuff that is supposed to be for not catching cold, but with electrolytes. If I see it around here it might have to get tested.

+1 on the pedialyte (get the generic, CHEAP!), but I can't get any kids to down that stuff unless they're really young (infants seem not to mind)

I prefer not to drink electrolyte-rich fluids exclusively...yuck! But there are times when on a huge hike I can tell I'm "sweat out" and need some salt...I just grab some trail mix and throw down a couple bites. Presto! Salts are back.

Gatorade is my favorite over Powerade and Tang.

It's really easy to get dehydrated and more than once I've caught myself with a big headache and/or feeling like a slug due to my carelessness.

There is some Gookinaid sitting in the cupboard but I have yet to use it. Maybe this afternoon I will give it a shot and see how it goes. I've also seen people mention mixing apple juice & water, eating Fig Newtons, and drinking tomato juice.

Already 99 degrees F in the shade and the day isn't over yet!

I suppose you can try this:
http://www.wildmedcenter.com/store.html#supplies

Look for the WHO Oral Rehydration Solution. If this is what I think, it's what the WHO uses for treating diarrhea (#1 cause of pediatric death in the world!). Don't know how it'll do to maintain you though!

That sounds AWESOME. I'll have to remember that. As for just the Emer'gen'C, I usually carry a packet or two in my Bar Survival Kit when I know I'm going out for a night on the town. It was extremely handy to avoid the 2pm hangover on St Patty's day (it's a long day in these parts).

J

I keep water in my hydration pack and mix electrolyte replacement as needed. After looking all over the net for the best prices I settled on the MRE type packages sold by beprepared.com. At $0.40 each they are a deal. I find that they are about the same as gatoraid and come in several flavors.

Ironraven, I thank you, my boss thanks you, and my clients thank you.

I had the opportunity to give "wake-wake juice" a test run this morning. I pounded the nalgene. I know this isn’t exactly conducive to optimal hydration but I didn’t have time to fool around. The zookeepers were getting restless. The first 15 minutes is all waiting, then about halfway through the second 15 you start wondering if you’ve been fooled, because nothing is happening. And then… ZANG! Fiendish intensity, strange glow and vibrations...a very heavy gig dodging traffic on a fixed gear bike.

I’ll perform another test in a… less controlled environment as soon as possible. Sorry for the editorial liberties mr.duke.


I am the monkey, and I approved this message.


m

Just remember to drink plenty of water after this. I hope I mentioned this- caffeine like alcohol couples to the electrolytes, so the only faster way to get it into you is by injection, so if you have any kind of heart condition this might not be wise.

So how was coming down from this stuff? I always crashed after exams.

after your suggestions and more research i purchased gookinaid - hydralyte.

it has the electrolytes i feel i need and it is manufactured to be absorbed through the stomach walls into the blood vessels rapidly - something other products don't even mention.

the taste is pleasant - orange this time. and has no aftertaste.

yesterday was the first field test. 7 miles rt with 2000' up and 2000' coming down... 85 - 90F. no clouds, sporadic breeze. i carried two 100 oz hydration bladders - one with straight water and one with gookinaid. i used most of the h20 and approx 2/3 of the gookinaid. no cramps, lots of sweating, no severe thirst. didn't have to follow with water to remove any overly-sweet taste.

all in all i'd say it performed as advertised and i will continue to use it during the hot summer months.

Thanks for the follow-up report. I'm glad that Gookinaid seems to work for you.

You didn't mention getting any other flavor, but for what it's worth, I would consider orange to be the "strongest" flavor. And I say strongest in the relative sense, since compared to other brands, all of the Gookinaid flavors are quite mild.