Why this desperate measure does more harm than good
When climate journalist Alec Luhn became trapped in Norway’s mountains with a shattered leg last summer, dehydration drove him to extreme measures—consuming his own urine, nibbling on moss, and even drinking blood from a burst blister. His story echoes that of Aaron Ralston, who famously self-amputated his trapped arm and reportedly drank urine to stay alive. Television survivalist Bear Grylls has even made urine-drinking a recurring spectacle in his staged wilderness shows.
But does consuming your own urine genuinely aid survival, or is it simply a persistent myth fueled by sensational stories?
As explained here, tales of survivors like Luhn might suggest that urine-drinking offers a viable lifeline when water supplies vanish. However, these individuals may have survived in spite of this choice rather than because of it. We seldom hear about the many who attempted similar strategies and perished.
This phenomenon exemplifies survivorship bias—our tendency to spotlight exceptional success stories while ignoring the numerous failures that never reach public awareness.
Ancient practices, modern misconceptions
The use of human or animal urine—whether consumed, applied to skin, or rubbed on gums—traces back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Despite this long history, contemporary scientific research provides minimal evidence of genuine health benefits. In reality, studies indicate that drinking urine can introduce significant health hazards rather than therapeutic effects.
Historical cultures attributed extraordinary properties to urine. Ayurvedic practitioners believed it could address conditions ranging from allergies and digestive troubles to aging skin and even cancer. The Roman poet Catullus allegedly advocated urine for teeth whitening, probably due to its ammonia concentration. Before modern glucose testing, physicians would taste urine to detect sweetness—an unpleasant but practical diagnostic method for diabetes.
Remarkably, “urine therapy” persists today among certain celebrities, NFL athletes, and professional boxers who consume their own waste fluids.
The reality in survival situations
Without water access and with minimal food (which provides trace hydration), survival duration remains unpredictable. Depending on initial hydration status, environmental conditions, and activity levels, a person might endure just three to seven days without water.
Despite this window, many desperate individuals turn to drinking urine within mere days. In 2017, Mick Ohman survived only two days stranded in Arizona’s desert before consuming his urine after exhausting his water and beer supplies.
The reasoning appears sound initially: fresh urine consists of roughly 95% water and 5% waste products like urea. However, even newly produced urine harbors small quantities of bacteria such as E. coli, which can trigger illness. While a hiking water filter might eliminate some bacteria, each cycle through the body concentrates the urine with salts and metabolic waste, intensifying the burden on your kidneys.
Similar to seawater, repeatedly drinking urine creates a counterproductive cycle: your body expends more water eliminating concentrated waste than it absorbs from the urine itself. The consequences include accelerated dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially fatal electrolyte disturbances.
Professor Mike Tipton, a human physiology and survival specialist at the University of Portsmouth, strongly cautions against using urine for hydration:
“In survival scenarios, avoid drinking urine because it compounds salt accumulation in your system. Preserving bodily fluids becomes paramount. A 75-kilogram person contains approximately 50 liters of water. When dehydration threatens survival, protecting this internal reservoir proves critical. Your body responds automatically. When fluid loss reaches just 1% of body weight—triggering reduced blood volume and elevated salt concentration—the body increases antidiuretic hormone production, which suppresses kidney urine output. You can activate this protective response by consuming nothing during the first 24 hours of a survival ordeal.”
Simultaneously, minimize all activity. Reduce metabolic heat generation to limit perspiration.
Put simply, once dehydration drives you to consider drinking urine, that urine has become so salt-concentrated that consumption will likely cause more damage than benefit.
Smarter survival strategies
When your water supply depletes, several proven alternatives surpass drinking urine. A solar still represents one of the oldest and most effective low-tech solutions: excavate a shallow depression, position a container at the bottom, cover the hole with clear plastic sheeting, and anchor the center with a stone. Solar energy evaporates moisture from the surrounding soil or vegetation, which then condenses into pure, potable droplets. While production is slow, this method can sustain life when every drop matters.
Additional techniques include wringing morning dew from grass using a cloth at dawn, collecting rainfall in any available container, or extracting moisture from foliage by securing a plastic bag around a leafy branch.
In tropical rainforests, certain vines yield surprisingly clean water when cut. Along coastlines, improvised distillation systems can convert seawater into drinkable water through evaporation and condensation. Most importantly, conserve energy—remaining stationary is often your best strategy. Seek shade, minimize movement, and allow your body to retain its existing water stores. If travel becomes necessary, move during nighttime hours. When daytime shade is unavailable, consider digging a shallow trench and lying in it to avoid direct sun exposure.