WATER
FOR LIFE
WORDS AND IMAGES: MARTY LEDWICH, WWW.RVEETHEREYET.COM
A READY SUPPLY OF WATER WHEN CARAVANNING
IS ESSENTIAL, BUT STORING ENOUGH OF IT CAN BE
DIFFICULT. HERE IS SOME ADVICE…
When we think about the requirements to enable
us to free-camp for extended periods of time,
the usual considerations turn to battery capacity
and solar power. Given the connected nature of
our lives these days, this is a valid consideration;
however, it’s probably not the most important
requirement we have.
Water is a fundamental necessity for our travels.
Without it, our free-camping experience can
come to a halt. In this article, we will look at what
our requirements for water might be, how much
we should carry, and how we can replenish our
stores to extend our stays.
8 \
WATER MINIMUM
People need to consume a certain amount of
water per day in order to avoid dehydration as well
as a host of other problems. This amount of water
increases when the weather is hot or if we are
not 100 per cent healthy. While opinions of what
this minimum amount should be vary depending
on who you talk to, it is generally accepted that
under normal circumstances, a healthy adult
needs to consume 2-3L of water every day.
In the extreme environment of the outback, where
temperatures can reach in excess of 35 degrees
Celsius for days on end, the body’s need for
water increases dramatically. If you are physically
active in these sorts of temperatures, your body
can lose up to 2.5L of sweat per hour.