Which of the following lists correctly identifies signs of dehydration?

• A. Dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine
• B. Increased thirst and clear urine
• C. Fever and chills
• D. Nausea only

Answer: (A)

When someone is dehydrated, their body signals a lack of fluids through certain clues. Dry mouth happens because there isn’t enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Dizziness occurs as the circulating blood volume drops, which can make you feel lightheaded, especially after already being active or standing up. Dark urine shows the kidneys are trying to conserve water, producing a concentrated, darker output. Together, these signs form a clear picture of fluid loss and are the most consistent indicators of dehydration in a paddling context.

Increased thirst and clear urine can occur in some early or milder cases or after a person has just started drinking fluids, but thirst isn’t always a reliable cue and clear urine doesn’t rule out dehydration. Fever and chills point to infection or illness rather than dehydration. Nausea can accompany dehydration, but on its own it doesn’t reliably identify dehydration.

So the combination of dry mouth, dizziness, and dark urine best reflects dehydration and is the set you’d want to recognize and act on. If you notice these signs while paddling, sip water (ideally with electrolytes), rest in shade, and monitor for any worsening symptoms.