Hey friends,
Let’s talk about something we all need but rarely think about until it’s too late—hydration.
Now, I know that sounds basic. I mean, how many times have we all heard “Drink more water!” and just brushed it off? But hear me out. Whether you’re throwing horseshoes at a 4th of July cookout, hiking up a ridge with your kids, or just trying to keep your head on straight when the power goes out in the middle of a heat wave, hydration isn’t optional. It’s survival.
I’m not talking about just grabbing a bottle of water here and there. I’m talking about real hydration. The kind that keeps your muscles firing, your brain sharp, and your body cool when the sun is doing its best to knock you down.
Let me paint a picture: It’s a 94-degree afternoon. You’ve got burgers on the grill, your neighbor’s kids are tearing up the slip ’n slide, and everyone’s having a blast. Then suddenly your aunt sits down, pale and dizzy, and says she’s “just a little tired.” But what she really is? Dehydrated.
Or maybe it’s Saturday morning and your teenager’s got back-to-back baseball games. He’s got water in his cooler, but he’s been sweating non-stop since the first inning. By the second game, his legs cramp up and his energy’s gone. Why? Not enough fluids, and definitely not enough electrolytes.
And let’s not even get into what happens when disaster strikes a hurricane, a blackout, a wildfire. You’ve got your food storage, your gear, your emergency radios... but if your water’s gone bad or run dry, all that planning goes out the window.
Hydration is the one thing every single plan depends on.
Here at Camping Survival, we talk a lot about readiness. That doesn’t just mean bug-out bags and filtration systems (though yeah, we’ve got those). It also means knowing how to keep your family hydrated and healthy, no matter what.
That might look like:
- Making sure there’s always a few packets of electrolyte powder in the kitchen drawer or glove box.
- Filling up a tactical hydration pack before a hike, a long bike ride, or even just a Saturday of yard work.
- Keeping your Alexapure Pro filled and ready, so clean drinking water is never a question—even if the tap runs dry.
We’ve got these things available on the site, sure. But more importantly, we use them ourselves. Because once you’ve spent an extra hot June weekend chasing kids through the woods, or sat through a power outage in 90% humidity, you don’t forget how fast dehydration can sneak up on you.
Now I’m not a doctor, but I am a father, a neighbor, a son, and someone who’s been caught without enough water more than once in my life. I’ve seen how fast people can go from “I’m fine” to “I think I need to sit down.” It’s not weakness. It’s biology.
Our bodies are about 60% water. Lose just a little too much of it through sweat, sun, or stress and everything starts to shut down. And the truth is, you won’t always feel thirsty until you’re already past the point.
So what can we do?
We stay ready. We drink early and often. We carry water with us like it’s just as important as our phones or keys. We plan ahead not just for emergencies, but for summer days, sports events, and backyard barbecues.
Because here’s what I’ve learned over the years: Hydration isn’t just a matter of comfort. It’s a form of self-reliance. It’s how we protect the people we love whether we’re out on a trail or in the middle of a blackout.
So this summer, take hydration seriously. Make it a habit. Make it a priority.
And if you need a place to start, we’ve got a few tools that might help—like our 2-liter tactical hydration pack that’s built to take a beating, or the Alexapure Pro that filters out the gunk and gives you peace of mind. A few electrolyte packs tossed in your bag? Even better.
Stay cool out there, and stay ready.
Until next time keep your canteen full, your cooler cold, and your crew hydrated.
—Thomas Hawkins
Camping Survival
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