E Book Post on water in a survival situation

E Book Post-Water in a survival situation.  PLEASE Provide feedback on what you think about these as I post them, I want to do the best I can to help others!  Thanks, and keep it pointed in a safe direction!




WATER



Requirements

• Normal activity requires 2-3 quarts per day.

• If extreme hot or cold or doing hard physical activity will need at least 4-6 quarts per day.



Salt

• Food would normally supply enough.

• Supplement may be needed with excessive exertion and/or perspiration and very important if you are prone to heat cramps.

• As a general rule, 2 grams of salt per 1 quart of water is adequate.



Dehydration

• The seriousness of dehydration CANNOT be understated!

• The most common symptoms are weakness, decreased mental capacity, dizziness, decreased coordination, and dark yellow urine.



Surface Water

• Rivers and streams are predominantly found in drainages.

• Lakes and ponds are common in low lying areas.

• Streams are a great source, and generally less polluted.

• Collect from swift moving water. Avoid -unless no other options- areas with oily film, slicks, or significant algae over growth.



Precipitation

• Set out all available containers; improvise gutters that empty into them.

• After rain fall, look in rock crevasses and fissures for water accumulation.



Subsurface Water

• Dry river beds sometimes means digging for underground source.

• Select a site that has the greatest potential for water. Such as a bend or where lush vegetation is present.

• Dig a hole about three feet deep. If no water is seen by this depth, select another site. Once water begins seeping into the hole, dig one more foot and line the hole with rocks or wood to prevent dirt from falling back in.

• Allow water to sit overnight so dirt settles to the bottom.



Solar Stills

• Construction of a vegetation bag. You need a plastic bag, an ample supply of healthy non-poisonous vegetation.

• Find a sunny slope to place the bag.

• Fill the bag with air.

• Fill the bag half to three quarters full, don’t puncture bag.

• Place small rock in the bag.

• If you have surgical tubing, slide one end inside and toward the bottom of the bag. Tie the other end in a overhand knot.

• Close bag and tie off as close as possible to the opening.

• Put it on the sunny slope so the opening is on the downhill side and slightly higher than the bags lowest point.

• Position both the rock and the surgical tubing the lowest point in the bag.

• If using surgical tubing, simply untie the knot to drink any collected water. If no tubing is used, loosen the tie and drain off available liquid. Be sure to drain liquid before sunset or it may be reabsorbed into the vegetation.

• For best results, change vegetation every two days.



Transpiration Bag

• The advantage of a transpiration bag versus a vegetation bag is that the same vegetation can be reused, allowing time for it to rejuvenate.

• To construct, it is necessary to have a plastic bag and an accessible, nonpoisonous shrub or tree. A 4 to 6 foot section of surgical tubing is also desirable.

• For best results move every 2 to 3 days.



Below ground Still

• When water and vegetation are scarce, a below ground solar still is a workable option. To construct you'll need a sheet of plastic and a container to catch water. A 4 to 6 ft. section of surgical tubing is also desirable. Move the location every couple of days.

• Select a site likely to contain moisture, at a bend in a dry stream, any location with lush vegetation, or a low lying area where water may have collected.

• Dig a hole approximately three feet across and two to three feet deep.

• At the bottom of the hole, dig a flat bottom sump that is large enough for the bottom third of your container to fit in.

• After placing container, lay one end of the surgical tubing in it and the other end up out of the hole. To anchor the tubing to the bottom of the container, tie a LOOSE over hand knot at the extreme end before placing it inside. If tied loosely, the knots weight will hold the tubing in place without impeding the flow of water.

• Cover the hole with the plastic sheet and place a small rock onto its center, allowing it to drop 18 to 24 inches into the hole so that the lowest point is directly above the container. Secure the plastic into place with rocks or dirt. Try to get the best seal possible. Be careful that it does not come into contact with the dirt in the hole, if contact is made the condensation will likely be absorbed into the ground.

• Tie a knot in the top part of the surgical tubing so nothing is lost via evaporation.

• If using surgical tubing, untie the knot to drink any water collected. If it is not available, you will need to open your still to get the water.

• Production can be increased by adding nonpoisonous plants to the side of the hole, for best results change vegetation every two days.

• Recycle your urine by urinating on the ground inside the still. As the moisture from the urine evaporates clean water is produced.

• Pour polluted or salt water onto the ground in the still, it is the same principal as for the urine.



Water Preparation

To make water safe and more palatable, you must filter and purify it before drinking. Unpurified water means the risk is high of getting a parasitic infection. These infections are often accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration; it greatly reduces your ability to meet your needs.



Filtering

Filtering water DOES NOT purify it. It is done to reduce sediment and make water taste better.

• Seepage basin system is used for stagnant or swamp water. For best results, dig a hole approximately three feet from the swamp and to a depth that allows water to begin seeping in. Line the sides with rocks or wood to prevent dirt or sand from falling back in. Allow the water to sit overnight so that all the sediment can settle to the bottom.

• Three Tiered tripod filter is used to filter sediment from the water. To construct it, you need three 7 to 8 foot long, wrist diameter poles, line, three sections of porous cloth, grass, sand, and charcoal. Build a tripod with the poles and line by laying the poles down, side by side, and lashing them together six inches to a foot from the top. With the lashed end up, spread the legs of the poles out to form a stable tripod. Tie the three sections of the cloth to the tripod in a tiered fashion, with six inches to a foot between each section.

• Place grass in the top cloth, sand in the middle, and charcoal in the bottom.

• To use, simply pour water into the top section and collect it as it filters through the bottom.



Cloth Filter

To porous material can be used to filter out sediment by simply pouring your liquid through it in a container.



Purification

To avoid parasitic infection, purify your water. (In a survival situation, if you are unable to treat your water, collect it from a clear, clean, fast running creek.) There are several different methods for purifying water. I think it is vital to mention you FILTER out sediment, and your PURIFY to kill micro-organisms.

• Iodine tablets; follow the bottle's directions

• Bleach; 2 drops per quart of water. Stir and let stand thirty minutes.

• Boil the water; rapid boil for minimum of ten minutes.

• Commercial devices.



Water Storage

An ideal water storage will hold a minimum of one quart. It should also have a wide mouth, so it is easier to fill. The best storage container of course is YOU!



Improvised Containers

It is sometimes required to improvise a container to store water. Items such as plastic bags, cooking pots and pans, hollowed out piece of wood, ponchos, and unlubricated condoms. Don’t limit yourself! Anything that doesn’t leak can hold water!



Night Storage in Cold Environments

• Store water in a sealed container between the layers of your bedding.

• Construct a snow refrigerator

1. Dig a 2 foot square section 3 feet into the side of a snow bank.

2. Loosen the water container cap, and place in hole in upright position.

3. Cover the outside opening with a one foot wide piece of snow.



Water Conservation

If water is in short supply, ration your sweat, not water!

• Don't eat unless you have water.

• Limit your physical activity. Try to get your work or travel done in the early and late hours of the days.

• To avoid sweating, always work and walk at a easy pace.



Liquids to AVOID

Avoid liquids like sea water and urine. Although both can satisfy thirst temporarily, they cause the body to LOSE additional water, ultimately meaning further dehydration.