Originally Posted By: chaosmagnet
... water is ... far more versatile.

Bingo. Water can be used for many things, including drinking. Soda, not so much. For hydration, water is better than soda. For a treat? Sure, stash away a six pack of soda. But I would not consider it a survival item. Just like drinking alcohol or urine when you're about to die from dehydration, drinking soda is counterproductive. Because it takes water for your body to digest things, and soda has a ton of sugar in it that needs digesting. Simple sugars are relatively easy to digest however, compared to many other things. And they will give you a quick rising (and quick falling) "sugar high". All in all, I'd rather have plain water though.