The 20l figure is pretty much what a large person would consume if limitless water available, doing heavy physical labor (eg. oil rig work, etc.)

In comparison, the LRDG SUMMER water ration was 6 pints per day, that is a little less than 3 litres. (Shaw, 1945 p.44). It was not comfortable, but sufficient.





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Happy Travels,
Andras

FJ Expeditions

Hi Nick,
If you need a guide in Niger, you should contact Balal at chirietvoyage@yahoo.fr. He's an excellent Tuareg guide based in Agadez, very well connected to ensure smooth travelling in that part of the world. Have a nice trip.

That was a ration forced upon the unit by expediency. It led to dehydration (see ref "http://www.iprom.co.uk/archives/caithness/Commando2.html") US DoD research suggests the human body (whether Eskimo, Bedouin, European or what) cannot adapt to different levels of water intake - Bedu need just the same levels of water intake as Europeans.

There is a difference between what people can SURVIVE on (World Health Org suggests 2.5 lit/day "Normal activity in temperate climate" and what you should ALLOW for when preparing for crossing long desert distances
where heavy offroad motorcycle work or digging out vehicles would probably be involved.

Example;

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/4wd/Over46.htm

Two guys riding the Canning Stock Route in Oz.... drank 25 litres per day and that was on the edge of dehydration.

(Heavy work keeping bikes stable - likened it to jogging)

Personally I tend to assume 10 lit/person/day in normal desert conditions, but needing to be aware that this could double in extremis, and, if unsupported, away from wells, one needs to plan for that.

Just out of interest....

travelhealthzone.com suggests the following MINIMUM requirements for water consumption. These are based on a person -resting in the shade- (as opposed to driving, digging out, riding, pogo-sticking, elephant-wrestling or moonwalking) (NOTE - it doesnt mention humidity)

{EDIT HERE - table hasnt reproduced well - sorry}

Mean Temperature ('C) Litres per day
20 1
25 1.2
30 2.4
35 5.3

Extrapolating this data (always risky) gives about 12 litres at 45 degrees.

Im sorry to make a big deal of this (and Im not doubting you, Andras, for a minute) but water is one thing I think is too important to skimp on or take risks with. I've had to give medical treatment to two travellers I've met out in deserts who've been dehydrated (one very), so maybe Im paranoid.

In the end its down to who you believe and what youve read and experienced! I tend to err on the side of caution - but then I have a 110 to carry my water, not a bike....



[This message has been edited by Runner (edited 03 March 2004).]

__________________
'91 LR 110 Def/Disco hybrid "Elsa"
Bring me the horizon....

I work on 4.5L/day, in a 4wd, on relative easy going (ie not in the dunes). That's for drinking/careful cooking - washing waits!

After that, you plan your reserve...

Sam.