LCHAVEZMISC Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 enjoying the high deserts of Arizona i am always looking for the best way to keep myself hydrated. I noticed when I just carry a water bottles, canteen or even a bladder, I am not drinking enough. Especially when I get back to camp/car and the bottles are still 3/4 full. Just to busy walking, detecting, digging and looking around. I noticed the Geigerrig pressurized bladders a few years ago at a Costco weekend event. Did not pay much attention because the last thing I wanted was more controls to get to my water. They recently came out with a nano tube for their system that allows you to control the water down to a drip (think I.V. line). So I started poking around ebay and found a good deal on the tactical 700 model pack with 2 liter bladder. I was drawn to this size because I just wanted enough to hold water, first aid, snacks, bandana, hat, gloves...well you know.....detecting stuff for a half day in the field. I have now used this setup on a few trips and it has helped keep me hydrated. This last trip the bag was only 1/4 full when I got back to my car. The trick of it is using the nano tube on a slow drip. I just keep the tube in my mouth while I am detecting so I am getting a steady supply of water as I go. Also does wonders for cotton mouth. you can get a nice stream out of the tube if you need to wash a cut, or preferably, clean off a nice piece of gold:)The pack has held up surprisingly well. I originally assumed it was just a company afterthought to promote the bladders, but some decent thought went into the design of the bag. good padding on the rear with nice air circulation channels. two compartments for stuff along with molle webbing along the front. Shoulder straps work well and they give you various places for the tube to come out of. They also offer in-line filter options if you choose to refill from water sources in the field. Happy hunting to all you hard core prospectors that are out in this heat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldies1955 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I carry a 3 liter pack and im usually pretty much dry by the time I get back to the truck. You are going to have to force yourself to drink even if you don't feel like it.Its a good idea to carry a small water bottle frozen as the emergency/get back to the truck/ back up if you run out.Heat stroke can sneak up on you fast out there. If you stop sweating, get cotton mouth and are not peeing.....your in the danger zone.GL to you.Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortuga Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Camelbak makes great hydration packs too.It's important to pre-hydrate the night before you hit the desert and well after you've already left. If you're out hiking around and you're thirsty it's already too late, you're in the first stages of dehydration.Strictly water alone won't always cut it either. Carry a bottle of Gatorade or Pedialyte with you for extra sugars and sodium. Camelbak sells great little flavored electrolyte tablets too you can buy that you can drop in your water bladder to add a little more supplements to your water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubstake1 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Yeh, you need some of them new pills, Dehydrated water pills, you add water and you get water! ha! Ha! , just suck on a gold nugget, Grubstake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Furness Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 One of the most important points in the lessons I give are in addition to ground balance, ground balance and yes of course ground balance is to drink before you are thirsty. I must say that about a dozen times during the day and sometimes it sinks in. Most folks not used to the desert or areas of moderate to high heat have no idea how fast you can get into trouble. Try to make a habit of at least a swallow or two of water every 10-15 minutes or so. Also using a Camelback or similar bladder can help keep you cool by either adding ice to the bladder and then filling it with water or actually freezing the bladder with it half full of water. Caution though with freezing the bladder ... I have ruined a couple of bladders doing this. I think it is much better to fill it with ice cubes and then with water. The pack has two very important benefits. One is obvious ... with the 'straw' hanging down in front of you it is easy to take a drink by just sticking the straw in your mouth and biting down gently while sucking on the straw. The second not so obvious is that if you fill it with ice cubes mand water the pack itself stays cooler and while pressing against your back helps to keep your core temperature down. You can't get that affect with bottled water. It isn't rocket science here folks ... drinking water comes to us naturally but we don't always drink enough ... have another sip now! Mike F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiagold Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 This year I started to use the endura cool towel to wrap around my neck. It really makes a big difference in keeping your body temp down. Besides staying hydrated, you have to stay cool. If anybody is interested in the endura cool products I got mine at lowes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCHAVEZMISC Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Like the ice idea, going to have to try that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCHAVEZMISC Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 I usually keep a damp hanky around my neck. May have to check out the endura. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin nuggethunting Posted July 12, 2015 Admin Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hey Guys, Great thread on how important hydration is in the desert. Over the years I have only had one incident where I got heat exhaustion and don't want it again. I pretty much always carry 100 ounces of water, but in the Summer months I will make sure the 100 ounce bladder is full of ice, then fill with water. I will also normally freeze a small water and Gatorade (G2) and pack then along with me. After about 4 hours of hunting, I will go through all of these. I've tried a lot of the neck towels and haven't found one that keep the moisture in the hot Summer months very long. I don't want to have to use my own drinking water to continue to soak them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathray Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Being a roofer, this is all second nature. I usually put in at least 8 hours when detecting/hiking, so my pavk geys pretty dang heavy...fill up a Osprey bladder, then have water bottles crammed into my pack everywhere, and keep a water purifier straw thing in my pack for emergency. Usually drink a cocunut water before going too...taste like ass , but works way better than gatorade. I bring a white terry clothe towel, wet it, put under my ballcap and down back of my neck. Yeah, heat exhaustion sucks, and heat stroke sucks worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathray Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hey Rob, as far as the towel, Im lucky that Im often detecting near a creek, here in NoCal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiagold Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Yes definitely dont use your only drinking water on towels. Im usually 5-10 min. Walk from truck, so I use my frozen water bottle water to rewet towel. Then if I need more I can get more from ice chest close by. I purposely save certain gold detecting spots for summer that are close to truck. In case of overheating then I can get to the rig quick. Or if you have a nice cold creek close by like the deathray said, then towels are a good tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahorton10 Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 We don't have creeks here in arizona, we have a few in the winter time but it's pretty dry out here come summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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