A Word to the Wise...

[Dana Acker]

I know this probably goes without saying, and it's late in the season, but I'll do so anyway. For those forging in warmer climates, STAY HYDRATED!

That's an order.

Seriously, dehydration can be a real problem this time of year, especially when working hard near a 2000 degree heat source. In my smithy about mid-day, it's getting up to about 110 + F. while it's 90 + F outside. When I emerge I look like I've been swimming--and you know what they say..."wet dogs and hippies have no friends."

So, drink lots and lots and lots of water, and mix in some drinks like Gatorade and Powerade etc., to keep the electrolytes up. Soft drinks and even (horror of horrors) beer just won't do the trick (grrrrrr.) Save them til after or for night forging.

I find that when I'm forging, I frequently lose track of time, and when you're losing fluid rapidly, that can spell trouble. So I came up with a system that works for me.

I have a boom box out in the shop, and I have recorded several records to tape. I try to fill up a 90 minute tape, even if I have to repeat a couple of songs.

I put in an album (tape) and let it play. When one side (45 min.) ends, I stop hammering, leave the smithy, sit in the shade and drink either a quart of water of Gatorade alternating them.

I find that over the course of a day, I can forge a longer amount of overall time, and with more energy to boot.

Remember, if you're hammering and you start to see things, call Tai or myself immediately. Hee hee.

So take heed, and drink up compadres.

Salud!

[prizzim]

Great wisdom indeed. Thanks for the reminder. I worked three hours straight the other day in about 110F, and it kicked my butt for the rest of the evening. Must remember the basics.

On the other hand, the knife is looking good.

[Sweany]

I got some electolyte yesterday when I plugged in a frayed extension cord.

YEAH BUDDY

Good call bro!

[MongoForge]

"Remember, if you're hammering and you start to see things, call Tai or myself immediately. Hee hee. "


Or at least tell us about it

[Dana Acker]

Don't try this at home. Remember, Tai and I are trained professionals. Hee hee.

[Dana Acker]

When I was in Mexico once, after being very sick, I was given a drink called suero, which wasn't Gatorade, but tasted something like it.

I also heard a story about a doctor in Ethiopia who was fighting an epidemic of dysentery, and didn't have enough needles to go around to put the people on IV's, so he simply gave them the bags of rehydrating fluid and had them drink it from the bag. The recipie is simple, and works to combat dehydration.

1 glass of water (like an ice tea glass)

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

juice of 1/4 lemon or lime

An easy way to do this is the next time you're at the diner or fast food joint, the little packages of sugar are exactly 1 teaspoon, and those little packs of salt that you break to put on our food are 1/4 teaspoon, so grab a few extra. When you make up your mixtue just add one each of those little packs to the water and you don't have to measure.

The mix isn't as tasty as Gatorade, but with the addition of a little lime or lemon, it's really not bad, and it will do the trick.