If you're lost in the desert, and have one canteen of water, would it be better to drink the water right away?

Question

As opposed to carrying the weight of the water around your neck...

Answer 1

If you get lost in the wild first construct/secure shelter. Stay put. Let the search party find you. If possible, set up some type of signal. Conserve energy. DRINK your water and EAT your food. Depriving yourself of food and water will only make you dehydrated and famish-you'll make bad decisions. You'll make better decisions if you have nourishment.

If you must travel out, walk early in the morning and toward dusk. Avoid the heat of the sun and walking in the dark. Set up a base camp and hunt at night . Most desert animals move about at night.

Answer 2

Drink it right away. It takes time to feel dehydration. The dehydration has a discombobulating effect. You are going to need a clear head to figure out how to get some water. Or find a way out of the desert or whatever you need to do to survive.

Answer 3

I've been in the desert. I've owned land out there. One canteen? Better hope you find a waterhole (or eat some cactus pulp) soon, or you're dead. The desert don't cut you no slack. You'll sweat yourself dry and never know it.

Answer 4

If you drank the water right away than you would dehydrate yourself very quickly in hot weather without water and possibly die.

Answer 5

I say carry the water.

Answer 6

no. you'll loose it more quickly from your body than it would ever escape the canteen. It'd be best to ration yourself, two swallows every hour or so in the daytime would be about right.

Answer 7

I don't think you should drink it,and you can carry it around your waist too so your neck wont get too tired.

Answer 8

If you're well-hydrated when you drink it, you will urinate out the extra. Personally, I would ration it and find some shade, then do my walking at night.