|
Water on the Water
As fly fishermen (and women), we love the water. While there are lots of reasons to be grateful for all that water adds to our lives, there are things to be concerned with as well. In fact water, while being the most vital element to our survival, can cause some very nasty symptoms when it transports some of its inhabitants into the human body.
Those bugs are REALLY tiny!
Water, even from the "purest" high mountain lake or stream can contain bacteria, viruses and protozoa that if swallowed, can put a really big hurtin' on your stomach and digestive tract. We've all heard of bugs like giardia and salmonella that create all kinds of abdominal distress and severe cases of diarrhea, but there are at least 6 other bugs that can ruin not only the trip that you are on, but possibly the next several weeks to months as well! Most of us realize that even though water looks "clean", it can hold lots of nasty bugs, yet somehow over 44,000 people each year suffer the effects of giardia alone! The point is, just because water looks pure, is not in a "polluted" area, or is not full of "green stuff" it is not necessarily pure. Additionally, it is not just drinking the water than cause problems. Exposing yourself to these little critters with even a couple drops of water can prove to be a very bad decision. Remember...those bugs are really tiny!
How do giardia, salmonella and the other bugs get into our bodies?
The most obvious way a waterborne disease occurs is through drinking contaminated water. If a fisherman finds himself miles away from the car in the hot sun after walking for hours and hours and he has no water, it is easy to think "I'll just grab a quick drink from the stream to keep me hydrated". There are two problems with this. First is that it only takes a drink to get a bug. Second is that after that first drink, the brain often reasons "That tasted great! I feel fine, and if I'm going to get sick, I've already started the process, so I may as well drink more at this point. With this type of thinking, it is easy to understand why the best advice is...DON'T DRINK THE WATER!!
Drinking contaminated water is not the only way to get a waterborne disease. Swimming in water that contains a virus, parasite, etc. also leaves one susceptible. The opportunistic bugs can get into your body through your mouth after going under the water, or through your skin if you have a cut or abrasion. In fact, even biting the end off of your tippet that has been in the lake or stream puts you at risk of a waterborne invasion.
What do I do if I get a waterborne disease?
If you find yourself with a waterborne disease, the first thing to do is to get to the doctor as quickly as possible. Many of the bugs can be stopped with certain medicines, but the thing that makes a doctor's visit so important is that certain bugs are resistant to medication due to their structures, and it is possible that taking medications with certain conditions can even make things worse (
In the event that you cannot get to a doctor immediately, focus on keeping hydrated. Diarrhea and vomiting create a large loss of fluid in the body, and that fluid must be replaced. Use fresh, clean water or an electrolyte replacement drink such as Gatorade, etc. to keep fluids going into the body. Next, rest to allow the body to recover. The body heals best while at rest. Avoid activities which require a high level of either physical or mental exertion.
I'd rather not go through that stuff, so how do I prevent a waterborne disease?
It's a lot easier to prevent a waterborne disease problem than to go through the weeks of pain and discomfort associated with one of these conditions. Prevention is very easy, and only requires little more than some forethought on your part.
Be sure you have enough water. When you go on your next trip, plan the amount of water you think you will need, and then take some extra. It is always better to have too much water than it is to have not enough water. There are so many options when it comes to hauling water. Everything from water bottles to backpacks with internal Hydration Systems (Camelbacks) are available and should be used based on personal preference.
Have a portable filtration system. Today's filtration systems allow you to carry your water purification system in a backpack with no problem. These filters are designed to take out all of the nasty things that live in water simply by pumping the water through them! With one of these amazing little devices, you can drink from a stream or lake with a great deal of confidence. There are a number of these filtration systems on the market, so do your homework and go to a reputable outdoor store to learn more.
Carry a fire starter. In a worst case scenario, you can boil water for about 30 minutes (running boiling time) to kill all of the waterborne diseases. This assumes that you have knowledge about how to start a fire and a container for the water. Drinking hot water is much better than drinking cold bugs!!
Take the time to prepare your water before your next trip. It can make a huge difference in your comfort on the day of your trip and for weeks to come. To learn more about waterborne diseases, Google Waterborne diseases, Trout Unlimited.
Cheers!
Jim Hoven
|
