A human lost at sea without fresh drinking water is effectively lost in an osmotic desert why would drinking salt water be harmful?

Drinking salt water is harmful because it contains high levels of sodium chloride, which can lead to dehydration rather than hydration. When salt water is consumed, the body requires more water to excrete the excess salt, causing a net loss of fluids. This can result in increased thirst, kidney strain, and ultimately, severe dehydration, exacerbating the perilous situation of being lost at sea.