Water planning is storage plus daily access plus a reserve you will not accidentally spend. Electrolytes support a hydration plan; they do not replace water, food, shade, rest, or medical help.
Official guidance - 2026: The Burning Man Survival Guide says to bring 1.5 gallons per person per day for drinking, washing, and cleaning, and to carry a full water bottle whenever you leave camp.
Calculate the full water supply
- Multiply people by days by 1.5 gallons. Round up to containers you can lift and secure.
- Separate drinking water from washing and cleaning allocation so one use cannot silently consume the other.
- Carry a refillable bottle every time you leave camp.
- Plan shade and rest during the hottest part of the day.
- Eat regular meals and pack an electrolyte option for long periods of heavy sweating.
- Know where official medical help can be requested before anyone is sick.
Expert guidance: CDC guidance emphasizes staying cool, drinking fluids, and recognizing overheating. NIOSH notes that water plus regular meals is generally adequate for electrolyte balance, while prolonged sweating may justify a balanced electrolyte drink. It advises against salt tablets.
Practical options
- Many small containers: easier to lift and isolates leaks, but creates more caps and packaging to track.
- Large containers: efficient storage, but heavy and a larger single point of failure.
- Premixed electrolyte drinks: convenient, but bulky and often sweet.
- Powder or tablets: compact and adjustable, but require measured potable water and readable instructions.
Playa tip (community practice - not an official requirement): Label containers by purpose and number them. Record the opening date on each one. Keep one sealed reserve physically separate from daily supply.
Warning signs
Headache, dizziness, unusual weakness, nausea, heavy sweating, or cramps can signal heat illness. Confusion, altered behavior, slurred speech, fainting, or loss of consciousness is an emergency. Move the person toward shade or a cooler place and get emergency medical help.
This is general preparation information, not medical advice. Heat, fluid, and electrolyte needs can differ with health conditions and medications. Ask your clinician about a personal plan before departure.
Test before departure
Lift, pour, and secure every filled container. Walk for an hour with the exact bottle and day bag you plan to carry. Confirm that the bottle stays reachable, does not leak, and can be used with dusty hands.
Sources
- Survival - Survival Guide 2026 Burning Man Project
- About Heat and Your Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Heat-related Illnesses CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health