Quick Answer
Drinking sea water is not a viable option for survival as it can cause more harm than good due to its high salt content, but in extreme situations, it can be used in limited quantities to quench immediate thirst.
The Risks of Drinking Sea Water
Drinking sea water is not a recommended survival tactic due to its high salt content. Consuming large quantities can lead to dehydration, as the body attempts to dilute the salt. A person can expect to lose up to 1 liter of water for every 3 grams of salt ingested. For every 1 liter of sea water consumed, the body will lose approximately 1.4 liters of water due to the high salt concentration.
Rationing Sea Water in Emergency Situations
If you find yourself in a survival situation with no access to fresh water, and you’re forced to consume sea water, do it sparingly. Limit your consumption to no more than 100 milliliters (about 3.4 ounces) every 24 hours. This small amount may not meet your hydration needs, but it can help prevent immediate dehydration.
Purifying Sea Water for Drinking
A better approach to hydration in a survival situation is to find ways to purify or desalinate sea water. You can do this by using a life jacket’s built-in water filter, a solar still, or a water purification tablets if you have them. Alternatively, you can collect dew or rainwater, or even use a transpiration bag to collect water from plants. These methods will provide you with a safer and more reliable source of drinking water.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.