fluid/electrolyte replacement

[UTVOL3]

Hi,

what does everyone use for fluid/electrolyte replacement for someone who has had vomiting/diarrhea?

Gatorade? Pedialyte? Something else? Do you mostly stick with water to keep them hydrated?

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

We used slightly weak gatorade alternated with water. Electrolyte popsicles and regular popsicles were also offered as needed. We also had lemon-lime soda available in the clinic.

Our camp ordered gatorade powder by the case, on super hot days we had it available for all campers at "water stations" around camp. On those days, popsicles were available for everyone and lifeguards had access to electrolyte popsicles. Campers were encouraged to alternate gatorade with water. All campers were required to have a water bottle of some sort. Bottled water was distributed as the beverage for afternoon and evening snacks (8 oz bottles).

Counselor training included education about preventing dehydration and early identification of dehydration.

These strategies worked, we did not have to send anyone out for further medical care all summer to have dehydration addressed.

[amoLucia]

vampiregirl, smart, PRO-ACTIVE folk at that camp.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Our camp went so far as to put a urine color chart in every.single.stall that advised if your pee was any other color than straw yellow, you needed to drink water. We also did hydration stations. Water and watered-down lemonade available at meals.

We kept the Gatorade for the sick bay. Gatorade is like band aids and ice packs. Not everyone needs Gatorade.