[MR] The Water Consumption Dilemma

[Mazzone, Tracy (Mitchell)]

While this is something to watch out for and to be concerned about, I
think that it can be avoided by drinking sports drinks as well as water,
by eating high-salt content foods - such as pickles and pretzels, by
taking plenty of breaks, and by being more active in self-monitoring
your health (after all, you know yourself better than anyone).  I also
think that this is less of a problem in the SCA than in something like a
marathon because in my experience there seems to be a far greater
problem of people, especially fighters, not drinking enough rather than
drinking too much.  I think that this is partially because of the
helmets that our fighters wear that, unless removed, make it virtually
impossible to drink from a cup or a regular sports bottle with a
pop-top....whereas runners don't have that problem and so can drink more
freely.  Runners can also carry their water around with them easily but
a fighter cannot unless he has a Camelbak; so he must instead depend on
the waterbearers and there are still not enough of us in Atlantia to
give proper coverage at every event, even though we try to do our best.

Just remember that it is always important to stay aware of your health
at all times and to take a break and/or see a chirurgeon if you are not
feeling well.

Yours In Service,
Lady Cicilia Tironi
Barony of Lochmere
Waterbearer in Charge of Sapphire Joust

"Purpure, a schnecke issuant from dexter chief argent, in sinister chief
an estoile Or"