Salt in Survival

[Geoffrey]

HI guys wondering how to keep the bodies salt supplies up in a survival situation.

I have heard about using blood, making salt from distilling sea water, boiling hickory sticks etc...

Can anyone shed some more light on this subject?

Love to hear more about this topic.

Geoffrey.

PS how big a concern is this in a survival situation? Should I pack some in my survival kit?

[Adi007]

You've got two of the best there ... using animal blood and evaporating sea water.

Salt tabs used to be common in survival kits but now not so - unless you are in a very hot climate or in a long-term situation it is unlikely to be a high concern.

[tenbears10]

I've read the book of the Kon Tiki expedition (they sailed a raft from S. America to the Galapagos) and it took them quite a while to work out why they were showing signs of dehydration even though they were drinking the correct amount of the fresh water supply. Only when they drank a cup of sea water a day as well as the fresh did the dehydration cease. They continued drinking a small amount of salt water throughout the trip.

Bill

[RovingArcher]

I carry small salt packets in my food kit that I get from fast food eateries. In case of severe dehydration, I carry a couple of packets of Emergen *C*, which is high in potasium and other necessary minerals and vitamins.

[match]

A good alternative to salt in your kit is dried powdered nettles - these are extremely rich in all sorts of vitamins and minerals, and there is less risk of 'overdosing' as might happen if you are taking pure salt.

[leon-1]

You've got two of the best there ... using animal blood and evaporating sea water.

Salt tabs used to be common in survival kits but now not so - unless you are in a very hot climate or in a long-term situation it is unlikely to be a high concern.

Salts are important for proper body function, they are electrolytes which can effect the heart and muscles performance, a lack of them in your system can cause fatigue, weakness, nausea and headache as symptoms.

As Adi says you have the two best ones, blood has a balance that is similar to the one required in your own system.

One of the major reasons for not having salt tablets in survival kits now is that most of the salt required is taken from the food we eat, also as Adi mentions there are occasions where you may require more salt, these are normally when the human body is put under more stress. Hot conditions are one such occasion working at altitude is another if you are not used to it :-)

[Stuart]

the best sources of salt in survival have been mentioned but I thought I would mention that under expedition conditions in the desert I find the best way to keep a good salt intake is to have a bowl of soup in the evenings when the temperature drops.

keeps you warm and provides needed salt.

[Carcajou Garou]

What about the white wood ash from hardwood fire any salts in that sort of substance?
just a thought

[leon-1]

What about the white wood ash from hardwood fire any salts in that sort of substance?
just a thought

Yes there are, they are mainly potassium based salts, good if you need to cut down on the amount of sodium that you intake. Ashes in small amounts have also been used for stomach complaints in the past

I beleive that LYE was extracted from these ashes as well and used in the preparation of corn to make hominy, however this appears to have been quite a skilled job and not something that should be tried unless you have been taught how to do it.

CG, do you know if this process is still in practice with your people????