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Anyone else remember having to take salt tablets during the hot summer in 40s, 50s? (Original Post) bobbieinok Dec 2019 OP
Yup. sarge43 Dec 2019 #1
Only during Air Force basic training in 1972. SeattleVet Dec 2019 #2
Yes,do remember ads reminding Wellstone ruled Dec 2019 #3
Yes, they were essential for August/September football practice in the California heat... Brother Buzz Dec 2019 #4
Spent a summer "popping lids" on top of the coke ovens at Granite City Steel and they provided Atticus Dec 2019 #5
Yup. As a child in West Pakistan in 1954 I remember my parents hosting a visitor who had abqtommy Dec 2019 #6
We took them several summers at Camp.Fire Girls camp in OK bobbieinok Dec 2019 #7
I still take them (or a more refined version) Sgent Dec 2019 #8
The Mighty Internet says no need TomVilmer Dec 2019 #9

sarge43

(28,939 posts)
1. Yup.
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 06:30 PM
Dec 2019

Had to take them during Air Force basic training circa 60's and no canteens. Surprised we all didn't fall over from heat exhaustion or worse.

SeattleVet

(5,468 posts)
2. Only during Air Force basic training in 1972.
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 06:41 PM
Dec 2019

2 tablets with lunch and dinner.

Of course, August and September of 1972 in San Antonio were brutally hot that year. They used a colored flag system that determined the amount of outside activity that could be done...under a red flag we could do PT under the overhang of our dorm building; a black flag was extremely limited outdoor activity, and no PT that day. We had the black flag several times and were under a red flag for probably ⅓ of the 6 weeks we were there.

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
3. Yes,do remember ads reminding
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 07:01 PM
Dec 2019

those whom worked out doors during July and early August to make sure you take your salt tablet each afternoon. Oh how times have changed.

Brother Buzz

(36,214 posts)
4. Yes, they were essential for August/September football practice in the California heat...
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 07:33 PM
Dec 2019

in the late sixties.

We had a complementary box full of plastic pouches of this new weird stuff called Gatorade, but they hadn't invented the Gatorade coolers yet, so they remained in the box. Salt tablets and the drinking fountain was all we needed.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
5. Spent a summer "popping lids" on top of the coke ovens at Granite City Steel and they provided
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 08:59 PM
Dec 2019

pink salt tablets in dispensers next to the water can. We wore two inch thick hard maple clogs strapped to our boot soles to walk on top of the ovens and we ate salt tablets like candy.

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
6. Yup. As a child in West Pakistan in 1954 I remember my parents hosting a visitor who had
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 09:19 PM
Dec 2019

traveled across the country (mostly desert) by train during the summer and immediately upon his arrival containers of salt and water were put in front of him. He was busy for quite a while.

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)
7. We took them several summers at Camp.Fire Girls camp in OK
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 10:03 PM
Dec 2019

At home ate apples, sprinkling salt on them after each bite

And sucked/chomped on ice cubes sprinkled with salt

Sgent

(5,857 posts)
8. I still take them (or a more refined version)
Sun Dec 8, 2019, 12:40 AM
Dec 2019

during the summer and in my power outage hurricane supplies I use WHO rehydration salts.

I discovered this because I was outside working in direct sunlight all day in July in southern Louisiana and got heat exhaustion. Took a break, ate about 3 bites of a Muffaletta sandwich (which is half salt), and instantly felt better.

One thing they discovered in the 70's is that you must have a small amount of sugar to absorb the salt -- so cheat on your diet and have a Gatorade if your not otherwise prepared. A sugar free version won't work.

TomVilmer

(1,832 posts)
9. The Mighty Internet says no need
Sun Dec 8, 2019, 10:09 AM
Dec 2019
Do not take salt tablets unless directed by your doctor. Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. The easiest and safest way to do this is through your diet. Drink fruit juice or a sports beverage when you exercise or work in the heat.
https://www.wsfa.com/story/14823164/should-i-take-salt-tablets-during-hot-weather/

I did a lot of working outdoors in hot sun. When I got old(ish) I used to tease them young ones by not eaten or drinking anything at all except for in the evening. Never gave me troubles, I was as fast as they were.
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