Its my opinion that if Y2K is baaaaaaaaad, as in over a 6, that there will be many deaths due to disease, diarrhea and dehydration. People will be under nourished with over all weakened bodies and will be exposed to many more contaminates, bacteria and viruses than is usual. People will be drinking foul water and bathing in foul creeks, rivers and lakes. Open sewage may be a big problem. I think one of the preparations we need to make for ourselves,..... especially for the elderly and the children......, are packets of electrolytes. I have made them up and sealed them in zip lock bags and then into a sealed bucket. I have made lots of it so that I can give it out to those in need and still have enough for my family. Do it now while you can get everything cheap. In the packet I also put a packet of flavoring such as sugarless Kool-Aid or whatever brand is on sale. Here is the basic recipe:

1/2 tsp Morton Lite Salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 4 level tsp of sugar 1 packet of Kool-Aid 2 liters of water

A rule of thumb is that the body needs 10 to 20 CC of fluid/ pound of body wght /day. If that body is dehydrated it needs 30 to 40 cc per day/pound/wght.

Got Morton Lite Salt??

-- Taz (tassie@aol.com), March 19, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Taz. I was wondering whether to buy stuff like Gatorade or what. Sounds like "or what" is the way to go.

-- wondering (about@electrolytes.com), March 19, 1999.

Stock up on Pedialyte

-- none (none@none.none), March 19, 1999.

Get your vaccinations up to date. Some of the hepatitis vaccines are in a six month series of 3 shots (so I've been told) so you'd need to start that immediately.

-- Puddintame (dit@dot.com), March 19, 1999.

Re: immunizations

The doc told me Hep B is 3 shots, Hep A is 2 shots, and nothing yet available for Hep C. I asked for Hep A injection because I travel for work and eat at restaurants a lot, but the doctor said "all out" due to pandemic in these here Western states. So you are right to say, start early.

BTW, my local Costco had a "PDR" on herbal remedies, so I bought a copy. Expensive but it looks like it will be worth it.

-- Margaret (janssm@aol.com), March 19, 1999.

Pedialyte is quite expensive. Gatorade is cheap. If you mix two thirds Gatorade, one third water, you have something with the salt/mineral concentration of Pedialyte. So stock up on Gatorade.

-- David Holladay (davidh@brailleplanet.org), March 19, 1999.

Re Pedialyte--once opened has to be refrigerated and used within two days. Kaolectrolyte comes dried in four-package box, but has a short shelf life (about four months, I think). Taz, thanks very much for fluid replacer recipe.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 19, 1999.

Taz,

Good post. Never thought of these items. Many thanks,

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 19, 1999.

Thanks for the electrolyte formula, Taz, it'll go in my Y2K "recipe book."

For those who are considering immunizing before Y2K, you might want to take a long, hard look at exactly what it is you're putting in your system. IMO, vaccines are a close relative of the potions used by witch doctors, and several levels below bloodletting via leeches in terms of efficacy. More information here:

National Vaccine Information Center

Please consider alternatives to vaccinations such as personal cleanliness, herbal prophylactics, and healthful living.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 19, 1999.

Don't forget tetanus shots as well.Many thanks ,Taz for this & next post

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), March 20, 1999.

To anyone who knows,

Why Morton lite salt. Why not regular salt. If regular salt can be used, how much?

TIA

--Greybear

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 20, 1999.

Graybear...I don't know why they recommend Morten Lite salt. But in looking through some of my books, I would guess that it is just a little easier on the tummy. You CAN use regular salt and in the same amount. If you mix with orange juice, banana or coconut milk you will also add potassium. If there is vomiting withthe diarrhea then you must act quickly. Coke or 7Up will help both with the fluid replacement and calm the vomiting.

-- Taz (tassie@aol.com), March 20, 1999.

Thanks. Taz.

Just got to thinking after I posted the question that maybe sea salt might be even better. It's supposed to have some other good stuff in it.

Since the juices or colas might be hard to come by, is there any other thing indicated that might help lessen the nausea?

I don't meant to belabor the subject but I think common diarrhea may be quite common. Bad water, different foods, stress, all can have pretty debilitating effects.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 20, 1999.

Lightsalt contains potassium as well as sodium. It is better for prevention of dehydration.

-- Homeschooing Grandma (Donna@glennet.com), March 21, 1999.

The potassium is essential to electrolyte replacement (as potassium chloride), alongside the salt (sodium chloride).

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 21, 1999.

I had read that ginger is a good anti-nausea agent. I tried it with my kids and it seemed to work fairly well when they could keep it down long enough. I recommend getting Gravol suppositories for those times when nothing will stay down. Also, it is often a good idea to allow the system to cleanse itself before trying to stop the spasms; your body is usually trying to get rid of an infection, and if you stop it too soon, you could end up even sicker!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), March 21, 1999.

Tricia--

Is "gravol" a prescription drug?

thanks...

-- linda (needanswers@hotmail.com), March 27, 1999.

Taz -- why the sugarless koolaid? I mean, besides for flavor... Do you mean unsweetened? Or artificially sweetened? Would something like Tang work? Or does the sugar have to be kept in balance????

Thanks.

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), March 27, 1999.

Linda, Gravol is a trade name for dimenhydrinate. It is an anti-nausea drug and is available OTC (over the counter)in Canada. I don't know about the US, but would be quite surprised if it were prescription only. Usually recommended for those who get travel sickness, it often has the side effect of making one very sleepy - has a caution on the Canadian version: AVOID DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR PERFORMING TASKS REQUIRING MENTAL ALERTNESS. In fact, I've taken a half pill when I've had to re-schedule my sleep pattern, it works very well as a sleeping pill for me. However, the package also says "May cause excitability, especially in children". I use it very rarely, but try to always have it on hand (and in-dated ;-).

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), March 28, 1999.