There is a tendency for us to put dehydration into an all or nothing
category. We say things like, "Yeah, he was dehydrated and crashed,
remember to drink more water, next time". Dehydration comes in degrees
from slightly dehydrated, all the way up to loss of consciousness. By
the 10th day of a Nationals, we are all tired, many of us are
frustrated, discouraged and I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't all a
little dehydrated. A pilot that is slightly dehydrated is functioning
pretty well, he just isn't at the top of his form, isn't making real
good decisions, doesn't pick up on things right away. A mildly
dehydrated pilot is a pilot headed for trouble, he may be losing his
situational awareness, doesn't foresee problems, can't make split
second decisions. Many land-outs can be attributed to poor decisions as
to where to find that saving thermal, dehydrated?

So, what is the best way to recover 50 tired, frustrated, possibly
dehydrated pilots? Do we ask them to make the split second decisions
necessary to do the hi-speed, low altitude finish, OR do we allow them
to finish the race at 500 feet and a mile out? I would suggest the
later is clearly the safest way to conduct our races.
Managers and CD's; There IS a safer way.
JJ Sinclair