Wilderness Series week 3: Water

Hi guys this week’s wilderness series is focused on water, Gathering, purifying and storing of water. This is one of the most important things for people to learn and can be important even if your going out just for an afternoon hike, you never know what will happen and its always good to be prepared. Rain is the quickest access to a clean water source. Unfortunately, it’s also unpredictable. It’s the simplest and safest water source outdoors because it has the lowest risk of bacterial infection. You can use bottles, cans, tarps and rain jackets to collect water.

Ok so first thing would be to figure out collection of water, so the first one I would like to talk about is tarp collection devices. To begin building one you will need to Simply tie two ends of your tarp (or whatever you’re using) to some trees. Then, take the other two ends, and tie them in the same fashion, only further down. Leave part of the center of the bottom half of your tarp slack, though, so it can create a funnel with which to collect water. This is where you will place your collection container. Depending on what you’re using and the size of your container, this might take some tinkering.

You can collect water from morning dew by tying a clean absorbent cloth or tufts of fine grass around your ankles and walk before sunrise through tall grass or meadows. Remember to avoid poisonous plants along the way. Avoid areas like farms or ranches which may be heavily treated with pesticides. Collect the water from the cloth by squeezing it into a container. You’ll have to do this quite often if you want to collect enough water to last throughout the day. These primitive skills are a great option for areas where there’s not much rainfall.

Tree forks or rock crevices in the woods might not be the most plentiful source of water, but they’re better than going without any water at all. The forks of tree limbs or rock crevices can collect a small amount of water due to their concave shape. Use clean clothing like a sock or bandana to soak the moisture or water in and wring it out.

Fruits, vegetables, and plants contain lots of water. For example, coconut is such an excellent source of hydration, which is considered a survival food and Mother Nature’s Gatorade. You can use this method of collecting food for water when you’re trying to survive in a tropical environment.

Transpiration happens when the moisture is carried from the plants’ roots to the underside of its leaves. Tying a plastic bag around a whole branch of leaves will trap water and let it fall into your collecting bag or canister. The trapped water vapor will then turn into moisture, thus giving you clean and crisp water. Again, be cautious and avoid collecting water from poisonous plants such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot some wild edibles nearby.

Rivers, lakes, streams, or any other body of water will be one of the most obvious sources of water in the wild. Look for clear flowing water to ensure bacteria hasn’t built up. Follow game trails and look for flying birds in the early morning and early evening, as they will typically fly towards bodies of water. Lakes and streams are also a great spot to build a shelter outdoors. While these may be the most common sources of water, they’re also the most susceptible to contamination. Never drink from these sources without filtering, treating, or boiling it first. With the right survival kit, you’ll be able to do what’s necessary to make the water from these sources safer to drink.

Boiling- The easiest way to purify water is to boil it, provided you have the equipment to do so, plus a campfire or camp stove. Bring water in a pot over a high heat until you have rolling bubbles, and let them roll for at least five minutes. Then let it cool down before drinking, or (duh) you'll scald your lips and tongue.

Filtration or purification pumps- If you go to a camping and outdoors supply store, you'll undoubtedly find many different kinds of pumps with filters and purifiers to make sure non-potable water goes in, but drinkable water comes out - right into your water bottle. This is done through a process of squeezing water through ceramic or charcoal filter and treating it with chemicals. Some hi-tech water bottles have this process built into them, so that you don't need to pump water into a separate one; the purification process happens as you squeeze or suck water directly into your mouth.

Purification drops and tablets- A simple and inexpensive - but not necessarily the best tasting - method of purifying wild water is by dropping in a couple of purification tablets or drops. The most common chemical used is iodine, but chlorine or potassium permanganate are also effective. Let the chemicals treat the water for at least 20 minutes before consuming, and mix it with powdered mixes to mask any of its taste.

Make an evaporation trap in the ground. - All of the previous methods require you to carry water or have a water source nearby - but what if you don't have any? According to NatureSkills.com, you can pull moisture out of the earth by digging a hole in the ground and inserting a container on the bottom. Cover the hole with plastic so that no moisture escapes, and put a small weight (a rock perhaps) in the center of the cover so that there's a dip in the center. When the water evaporates from the ground upwards, it condenses on the cover and drips down into the container.

Of course, this last method isn't the fastest way to get potable water, so just try and remember to bring some. However, in the event of an emergency, remember this technique - along with a container and some sort of plastic cover.

There are lots of wilderness survival skills to help you find a water source in the wild; you just have to know where to look. The ability to find water outdoors is an essential wilderness survival skill you need to master. After finding a water source, knowing how to purify the water you’ve collected is the second most important skill to have. Remember, you’re not the only one looking for water out there. Always boil or treat water when you get the chance! Never drink from an untrusted source — you never know what’s around the bend.

Thanks for reading and hopefully this is some what helpful. Thanks to the websites below for some amazing information on this topic and please check them out for more information. See ya next time.

https://www.seeker.com/top-ways-to-purify-water-in-the-wilderness-1765491027.html

https://survivallife.com/wilderness-survival-skills-find-water/