Fluids

Your body's fluid balance will be placed under considerable stress while hiking in the humid mountain jungle of Papua New Guinea.

Risks of dehydration include strenuous exercise, hot climate and illnesses such as diarrhoea. Some blood pressure medications called diuretics can also increase your risk of dehydration. Symptoms include increased thirst, dry mouth, decreaed urine output, weakness, fatigue and confusion. Severe dehydration can lead to seizures, coma and death.

Too much fluid can be equally dangerous. The practice of "drinking as much as possible" has lead to a condition called exercise associated hyponatraemia (EAH). A near-fatal case occurred on the Kokoda Trail in 2006 with the trekker requiring helicopter evacuation to Intensive Care in Port Moresby Hospital. In 2008 a 49 year-old lady almost died of the same condition, eventually being evacuated by a USA military helicopter and spending 24 hours on life support following her evacuation. Symptoms of EAH include lightheadedness, confusion, weakness, seizures and even death.

Just how much should you drink? The best guide is your body's thirst requirement. Only drink fluids when you are thirsty. A rough guide is a maximum volume of 750ml/hour, with 1000ml/hour the absolute limit.