I read an article about us soldiers in afghanistan. Basically they were sent up and down a mountain a couple of times for a mission (no helo was available). They had to carry their supplies with them but they only had 6 bottles of water to drink per day. This obviously caused dehydration. So to fight it they hydrated intravenously.
Is this true? Do soldiers give each other shots to stay hydrated? If so, how effective is it? How long does one shot keep you hydrated?
2006-12-09 15:42:32 · 5 answers · asked by Jacus 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Uh yeah i'm sorry it was an IV. I typed out the question quickly.
I screwed up on another thing though, they had 6 bottles initially but then because the helo couldn't get up there, they were cut down to 3 bottles. I can't remember the exact number, but it wasn't enough for the day; everyone complained about being thirsty and some soldiers were passing out and suffering from dehyration.
2006-12-10 07:11:41 · update #1
if they had to hydrate intravenously, it was more than likely that a medic gave them the I.V and yes it does work, it's not a shot it is a bag of fluid, either 500ml, or 1000 ml. depending on what the medic is carrying.the reason this works so well is that it introduces fluid strait in to the blood stream, instead of having to be absorbed in to the body through the digestive tract.it works to rehydrate the body faster this way.as far as being affective, it is very affective, although you still need to drink fluids even after getting an I.V to stay hydrated.
2006-12-09 16:32:30 · answer #1 · answered by redneckmp28 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in Afghanistan in 03'. I think you misunderstood the intravenous term. A shot only contains about 5-10cc's, the IV's mentioned are 1 liter each. The method of hydration doesn't matter as much. And there is no difference in the duration, besides you can't put a time frame on dehydration. It will vary with exertion, fitness, and environment. And lastly IV's should only be administered by trained personnel. Just "Drink Water!"
2006-12-10 00:37:04 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok think about it. You can carry and drink a bottle of water or you can carry an IV and get it used on you. You are carrying the same weight. Soldiers get and give IVs as needed. IVs are very effective but usless you are dehydrated you will end up peeing out any excess water anyway. There are classes (CLS) that soldiers learn how to give IVs and other lifesaving first aid in. As far as "no helo was available" there are bases here in Afghanistan that are to high for fully loaded helocopters to get to plus they are on the side of mountains where there isn't a safe LZ.
2006-12-10 00:34:45 · answer #3 · answered by jessica a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are misinformed, as a former soldier myself I can tell you that there is no such shot that will keep you hydrated. Those six bottles that you are refering to are 1.5 to 2 liters each which is more than enough for a day.
When I was in the Army I went to Albania for a joint training exorcise called Peaceful Eagle and I was given six pack of water each day and they were 1.5 to 2 liters each. If a soldier has to get a needle in the arm because of dehydration they are being mediclly treated to replace lost fluids, its called an IV for short. Merely a bag of saline solution about 1 liter attached to a tube that is attached to a needle. Not fun I assure you.
2006-12-10 11:30:21 · answer #4 · answered by ikeman32 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat injuries are always preventable. If you get dehydrated, you will get stuck. It actually feels pretty good on a hot day, especially if the bag of saline is chilled before use.
6 bottles of water per day is actually pretty good. Those bottles are 1.5 L size, and 6 of those is 9 Liters of water. More than enough to keep you in good shape.
2006-12-09 23:48:06 · answer #5 · answered by grenadier8408 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋