Waterbearing

Waterbearing: Waterbearers help maintain the hydration of fighters and the populous by passing out water, gatorade, and or other hydrating food or snacks. Waterbearing is a great way to get involved in the SCA -- you don't need a lot of special training, and you get to meet new people while you help with the success of an event. Although the society does not recognize waterbearing as an official position, there are people who regularly participate as waterbearers and coordinate water activities at events.

In the Kingdom of An Tir we generaly practice "no touch" waterbearing where the lips of the person do not ever touch the container of water or gatorade. This is usually accomplished with "Sport" or "squirt" top caps on standard sized waterbottles. This is considered more sanitary as it reduces the risk of spreading illness.

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East Kingdom Guidelines:

http://www.eastkingdom.org/chirurgeon/wb/guidelines.php

Dehydration:

Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, decreased urine volume, abnormally dark urine, unexplained tiredness, irritability, lack of tears when crying, headache, dry mouth, dizziness when standing due to orthostatic hypotension, and in some cases insomnia. Other possible symptoms include cloudy urine and stinging during urination. Blood tests may show hyperalbuminemia. Mild dehydration also has been shown to negatively impact people’s moods. Experiments by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service has shown that dehydration is associated with confusion, fatigue, and negative moods.[9] Mild dehydration, which includes water losses between 1% and 2%, observed in the experiment are comparable to mild dehydration experienced by people in their everyday lives.

In moderate to severe dehydration, there may be no urine output at all. Other symptoms in these states include lethargy or extreme sleepiness, seizures, sunken fontanel (soft spot) in infants, fainting, and sunken eyes.

The symptoms become increasingly severe with greater water loss. One's heart and respiration rates begin to increase to compensate for decreased plasma volume and blood pressure, while body temperature may rise because of decreased sweating. At around 5% to 6% water loss, one may become groggy or sleepy, experience headaches or nausea, and may feel tingling in one's limbs (paresthesia). With 10% to 15% fluid loss, muscles may become spastic, skin may shrivel and wrinkle (decreased skin turgor), vision may dim, urination will be greatly reduced and may become painful, and delirium may begin. Losses greater than 15% are usually fatal.