Thursday, October 6, 2011

Day Six....Water The Good and The Bad

So you made it thru the night safely and you have everything ready to alert searchers from the air and on the ground but now you find you have no more water in your water bottle.  And you are thirsty.....
There is a creek or lake close by and you can see it from your tree.  Oh you are thirsty and you really want some of that clear cold liquid....But is it ok to drink the water?

Well, we know you have always been taught  NOT to drink the water in the mountains and this is true.....HOWEVER.....for this time and this time only, we give you permission to drink from the creek or lake.
You see we need water, and without water humans especially, will only survive on an average of three days, So, it is time to LISTEN Very Carefully again, because water is wonderful, but also terribly dangerous, especially when you are tired and scared cause you are lost and alone.

(I need to put a little note here, thanks to Sarge and his moms comment.  Yes it is true you will get very very sick by drinking the mountain waters, even if it looks clear and clean.  But if you don't drink, you can die.  If you do drink and get the little nasty bug, it takes five to seven days to affect you....to make you sick....and by then you will be found, home safe and sound.....and you can go to the doctor and get treated for it.)
So Are You Listening? 

You can see your water from your tree and you want to go and get a drink but how you go to the water can be the difference between just getting a drink or getting hurt......

So lets do this one step at a time.

STEP ONE:
Go to the water but be sure to STOP when you are about 10 feet from the waters edge. 
STEP TWO:
Now you need to get on your hands and knees.  Then you can crawl a few feet closer but STOP moving forward on your hands and knees when you are about five feet away.

STEP THREE:
Now you need to lay flat on your stomach and crawl the last few feet to the point that you can reach the water with your hands if you stretch.

STEP FOUR:
Reach forward and scoop the water into your hands, then bring the water to your mouth and drink the wonderful fluid to your hearts delight.
Even if, like in the picture above, it is just a small creek.....PLEASE approach it the way we just taught you.  People have drowned in shallower water than what you see here.

Example:  If you went to the water just walking and slipped and fell face first into the water.......well.....you get the idea......

ONE FINAL STEP
BE SURE TO BACK AWAY FROM THE WATER THE SAME WAY YOU CAME IN.......  DONT STAND UP UNTIL YOU ARE 10 FEET FROM THE WATER. 

Whew.....this is the scariest thing for us to teach you because it is sooooo important.  So Please remember this.

So there is only One more day and we are done...

Thanks for coming back.  See you tomorrow
Bert

26 comments:

Scooter said...

Hey Deputy Bert!
Wow, you continue to amaze me! I didn't know about this way to approach water. Makes sense ... falling would be really bad. I do have one question for you: Is it bad to drink still water like a pond or lake because that give you the sickies? My mom always wondered about that.
BTW: Mom says there is a really cool book called "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" by Stephen King and it is about a little girl who gets lost in the woods. She doesn't follow your advise and has a really scary time of it.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Finn said...

We are listening! We loved your posts this week. So informative, we are so impressed. Thank you for all of the information.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

We never knew any of this. Great information.

GOOSE said...

Once again top job Bert!
Goose

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We hope we and all our friends and furiends never get lost, but becausecof you fantastic posts, we have learned so much about how to stay safe and get found. Thanks.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Berts Blog said...

Hi Sarge. Your question is great adn I added a NOTE in the blog post to answer that. But in general, yes you can and most likely will get sick from the water but it takes five to seven days for your body to react to the bug and make you sick. That gives you a chance to get found and to a doctor. Without drinking the water most humans will die without water within three to four days.

Ina in Alaska said...

Many thanks for the helpful tip on my comment problem. I am trying out Google Chrome which seems to be working well. Although this is only my first attempt at using GC.... happy Thursday and thanks for the helpful tips!!!

Unknown said...

these are such helpful tips and I love seeing some of our friends in the pictures.

rottrover said...

Bert! You are like the smartest dog ever!! Our doofus mom slipped in our stream the summer before last and broke her arm!! That would have totally sucked if we were lost in the woods!!

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

Road Dog Tales said...

Yikes! There's LOTS of stuff here we didn't know. We, um, have been known to drink cool, clear water from rivers. Hmmmm, better rethink that strategy, eh? Thanks so much, Bert, for sharing all your wonderful wisdom with us!

The Road Dogs

Unknown said...

Dear Bert
You are soo smart! Thanks for keeping me warm last night.
Kisses
Nellie

Kirsten (peacefuldog) said...

Those are some sound ideas from the experts on Safety! Lesson learned--don't just run up to the water and stick your nose way under like WE do!

JacksDad said...

You are a very good teacher!! Hopefully everyone reading will remember your good advice!

Duke said...

What awesome advice! We're listening, Bert!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Bert,

I am so happy dat I was able to helps you out today wif dis post! Knowin' the safe way of how to approach and get away from water in da woods is very important information! All of your safety tips dis week have been great! :)

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Ms. ~K said...

Excellent info here for all humans and canines!!! :)
Wrooo wrooo to you!

Anonymous said...

Pawsome job Bert!

woos, Tessa

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Still reading all these great tips! On the lookout for a blue bandanna now!!!

Thanks Bert!

Just Ramblin' said...

Interesting read. : )

KB said...

Wow, I would have never thought to teach my nephews that one. I am definitely going over your posts with them. Great job and great photos!

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Bert this is just amazing. We are learning sooo much. Thank you, and thank your mum too. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Anonymous said...

Another fantastic post!

Thank you for teaching us so much! :D

xo
Luna

Anonymous said...

Thank you for putting me in such beautiful scenery! Wow! Great tips on drinking from lakes and streams. Around here it's even more important to stop way back from the water's edge before approaching. There could be gators lurking! :O ;)

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Scooter said...

Frankie Furter here... on Sarge's computer ... in Pencil Vane E Ah...

OH BERT... I feel like such a Dumb Butt.. fur not EVER having givin the Stay back and lay down and Not Falling in Head Furst stuffs!!! SEE... now THIS is what I'm Tawkin bout... GRRRRRREAT ADVICE WHO would have EVER thought about all this!! I have a feeling that this just MAY save a Life!!!
I know I have said it before... like 87 times this week.. butt THANK YOU BERT ... furst fur joinin Blogville's Frust Responders ... AND fur putting up this FANGtastic Series!!!
Sincerely, FRANKIE FURTER..

2browndawgs said...

Definitely good information here. I am enjoying reading this series.

Sagira said...

You are full of just great information. :)