Humans need food and water to live. Without food, man can “survive” for several weeks, but without water, for such a period of time, it is simply impossible to survive. So how long can a person survive without water? Many scientists of the world answer this question, relying on individual characteristics of the organism and certain environmental factors.

How long you can live without water

Water nourishes all the cells of the body, promotes important microelements, and removes breakdown products and toxins. It is the key to human health and life. Even when experiencing severe hunger, people can live for a long time.

As a rule, a person can live for 8-10 days without food and feel quite well. As for water, an acute need for it comes after 3-4 days. During this time, without receiving fluids, the person dies.

But a person can live without water in optimal climatic conditions for up to 7 days. Such time scientists call the upper limit when a person can live without drinking.

Survival time depending on conditions

The American scientist E.F. Adolph argues that there are factors that affect the length of time a person can live without water. These include:

  • ambient temperature conditions;
  • level of humidity;
  • level of human activity;
  • the age and weight of the person.

If a person sits quietly in the shade and the air temperature is 16-23ºC, he can survive up to 7-10 days without water.

As soon as the air temperature rises, the risk of death increases more quickly. For example, at air temperatures above 36ºC, a person who has not been drinking will die in 1-2 days.

An athlete who has been actively exercising in the heat or a child who has been left in a locked, stuffy car will quickly become dehydrated, leading to death. They can die without water in just a few hours (!). So, it is obvious that the human body’s ability to do without water directly depends on temperature and activity.

Why is water so important to the body?

Yes, a person can survive for several days without water. But this applies to such situations when there is no place to take life-giving water. It is necessary to drink no less than 1.5 to 2 liters of water for the body to function normally. Tea, coffee, soup, carbonated drinks, and other foodstuffs containing water do not belong to this norm of water volume.

You should drink only pure water. It is it that positively affects all human organs and systems, contributing:

  • activation of digestion;
  • reduction of fatigue and a surge of strength;
  • activation of blood circulation;
  • suppression of hunger and weight loss;
  • improvement of the skin and complexion;
  • improve general well-being and strengthen immunity.

For water to bring only benefits, it must be clean, without an unpleasant odor and impurities.

Unique cases of surviving without water for longer than a week

Although scientists indicate a one-week period during which a person can survive without water, there are still exceptions to the rule. There are cases when people who got into extreme conditions were able to live longer.

In 1947, medics saved a man’s life. He lived for 20 days without water. When they found him, he was unconscious, had a skull injury, and was barely breathing, but medics brought him back to life.

In 1985 Mexico City earthquake, a 9-year-old boy was without food or water for nearly two weeks under the ruins. By the time rescuers got to him, he had already lost consciousness. But the doctors saved the child – the very next day he was able to speak and move around on his own.

In 2006 in Japan, a retired man decided to take a walk in the mountains. He got lost. Rescuers found him only on the 24th day. The man was unconscious, his body temperature was 22ºC, and his condition was close to anabiosis. The traveler was rescued.

One can only wonder how unique a person is and how great his desire to live is, that the body can cope even with excessively extreme conditions without water for a long time.

Updated on May 31 Category: Blog. Tags: