How do I know if I am dehydrated?

Being thirsty is not necessarily dehydration, like being hungry is not starvation.  You hit moderate dehydration when you have dry mouth and an increased heartbeat at rest.  You are in severe dehydration when you feel like, or you start vomiting and have diarrhea.  Remember 3 days without water may kill you and rapid dehydration can kill you sooner.

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What is the best survival pack?

People hate my answer, but the best survival pack is the one that carries all your items you need to survive while making it relatively comfortable to carry for an extended period.  Most people shop for a pack, then all the items, and find out that the pack is not sized appropriately (usually too small) for what you need to carry.

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What do you carry in your daypack when you go hiking?

I love this question.  All of this can be packed, nested in different items, or worn and it doesn’t take as much space as you would think.  It weighs less than 20 lbs.  In the event I get injured or lost (I have never been lost yet), this provides enough items to survive until I am evacuated by a medical helicopter or found by search and rescue.

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How much paracord should I bring on a hike?

It’s amazing how many people I know go on hikes and only have water, wallet, cell phone, car keys, and maybe a snack.  I usually carry a full pack of items, enough to survive for a few days while I am signaling or attempt to make contact to be exfiltrated out if I am injured.  I don’t get lost, but even if that happens, what I have in my pack will get me back out.

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