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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAnyone else remember having to take salt tablets during the hot summer in 40s, 50s?
sarge43
(28,939 posts)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 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)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)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)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)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)At home ate apples, sprinkling salt on them after each bite
And sucked/chomped on ice cubes sprinkled with salt
Sgent
(5,857 posts)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)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.