Over the years, I’ve used The Boat Galley newsletter to share what we’ve been up to and what we’ve learned while doing it. Here’s one feature from a few years back sharing what an emergency room visit taught us about the importance of drinking—everyday!
Dave ended up in the ER Wednesday afternoon with extreme exhaustion, lightheadedness, shakiness, tingling in his finger/arms, feet/legs and mouth, difficulty swallowing, and more. He had a hard time finding words when speaking, couldn’t walk or even stand without assistance. The final diagnosis was severe dehydration; IV and oral fluids were given.
How had it happened? Cooler weather so we weren’t thirsty. A day exploring Key West, with plenty of coffee and iced tea (caffeine is a mild diuretic), then a beer with dinner and sipping rum after. Not a single non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drink all day. An antibiotic that said to take with plenty of liquids. Age (Dave’s 80; people over 65 are more susceptible). And mildly diabetic.
All in all, a perfect storm. And a warning for all of us to be sure to drink plenty of water, even in winter.
We were lucky there was an ER nearby; in a remote anchorage or on passage we would have been on our own. Scary as I hadn’t recognized the symptoms. At all.
Dave’s okay. But you better believe that we’re both more aware of what we’re drinking!
P.S. Be sure to have plenty of rehydration powder, drops or ingredients to make your own rehydration solution on hand. The drops are sugar-free and diabetic-friendly! You can buy the Hy-Lyte Electrolyte Concentrate we keep on board at Amazon.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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