The average person can expect to survive without water for three to almost five days (depending on the climate and what they try to do). Some instances show individuals have perished within hours of becoming lost as they lacked the knowledge of water procurement in the wild.
You must conserve any water you have, including that already in your body. Water is required to replace the fluid that is lost, so by conserving body fluid you require less water intake.
Fluid is lost from the body by perspiring, breathing, urinating, vomiting, crying and talking.
Your first efforts in a survival situation should be directed towards establishing a good water supply. Initially, you should look for groundwater using the following methods.
Water procurement in the wild
Water procurement from creek beds
For water procurement, these easily discernible in dry areas. It is all because of the relatively green vegetation and taller trees following the course of the creek. Unless there has been recent rain in the area the creek bed will probably be quite dry.
You may be lucky enough to locate damp sand or mud at the bends of the creek or by digging in the creek bed at a likely spot. Water can be extracted from the damp sand or mud by soaking a rag in soil and wringing out the water into a container.
Water procurement from rock formations
If there is any water seepage from the ground, it is usually to be found near rock formations, where the country is rugged and undulating. It may also be found in some apparent dry areas.
Rocky areas are ideal for rain catchments. Rain soaks very quickly into the soil, whereas it can lie in pools on a rocky surface for some time.
Water procurement from salt lakes
After rain has fallen, the top 3mm of a salt lake is fresh water. It can be siphoned off by using a grass straw or tubing from your survival kit.
Related article: Survival Myths – Drinking Urine When You Are Out Of Water
Water procurement following animal trails
Animals need water the same as humans and they will travel great distances regularly each day, leaving trails to the water source. Where a large number of trails converge together, it would indicate that the water was not far distant.
Water procurement from seepage
Sometimes water can be found close to the surface in natural springs and soaks or at the base of cliffs and rock-piles where vegetation appears to be thriving.
Water procurement from tree roots
In the early morning before the heat of the day, the roots of trees, wattle, and some gums can be cut into short lengths, stood end-on with their thickest ends down in a container allowing the fluid to drain.
It is best to use roots that are easily obtained with a minimum of effort. The ideal location for this is in creek beds and washouts where parts of the roots are already exposed or near the surface.
Water procurement from certain trees
Some trees store water. Water will collect in the crevices of some of these trees after rain, in blisters under the bark and in the sapwood. It is preferable to use a length of rubber tubing to siphon water from crevices and to extract the water from blisters and under the bark by cutting a ‘V’ through the bark and collecting the escaping water in a container.
A word of advice: Chewing the sapwood of trees is not recommended as it may aggravate thirst.
Coastal Water Sources
You can obtain drinking water by digging high up on the beach above the tidemark or behind the first sand hills. It tastes brackish and should only be used in small quantities.
Water procurement by collecting dew
The collection is tedious, but of some value in heavy grassland. Tie clumps of grass or cloth around ankles and walk around in the dew-drenched grass at dusk or dawn. Squeeze moisture into a container and repeat. If you have a vehicle, wipe down the vehicle with a cloth and collect the dew in a container. You can also dig ‘dew holes’ and line them with plastic to collect the dew.
Water procurement using foliage bags
If there are no large trees in the area you can break up clumps of grass or small bushes and place them inside the bag. The same effect will take place as in transpiration. Make sure you follow the guidelines and provide a sump and remember to replace the foliage at regular intervals when water production is reduced.
Water procurement using the transpiration method
Water can be obtained by placing a clear plastic bag over the leafy branch of a non-poisonous tree [taste-test the foliage] and securing the bag with tape at the end of the branch. Seal any holes with tape, band-aids, etc.
The action of the sun on the plastic will cause water to be drawn from the leaves and run to the lowest part of the bag. Do not disturb the bag to collect the water, simply cut a small hole in the bag then reseal it. The leaves will continue to produce water as the roots draw it from the ground.
The water should be drained off every two hours and stored. Tests indicate that if this is not done the leaves stop producing water. Probably the heavy concentration of moisture-laden air reduces the effectiveness of the sun. Ensure these bags receive maximum sunshine at all times.
Exposed roots can be tested for water content prior to bagging the tree. Soft pulpy roots will yield the greatest amount of liquid for less effort.
Note:
A piece of cord can be tied around the bottom of the bag to form a sump and will stop sticks, leaves and insects from contaminating the water or blocking the tapping hole. It will also stop alkalines leaching from the foliage into the sump.
Water procurement using the desert still
Dig a hole approximately 3 feet x 3 feet x 2 feet deep. Line the hole with non-poisonous vegetation. Place a container in the center with a piece of rubber tubing leading from the container out of the hole for use as a drinking straw. Cover the hole with a clear plastic sheet. Seal around the edges with soil from the hole.
The plastic sheet should be weighted with a stone placed in the center. By doing so it forms an inverted cone to allow condensed water to run into the center on the underside of the plastic and drip into the container.
The desert still method will work without the drinking straw. However, to collect the water the edges of the plastic must be lifted allowing moisture-laden air to escape.
The foliage will need to be replaced when water production falls off. Care should be taken that the plastic sheet does not touch the foliage as this will prevent the condensed water from running into the container. Additional fluid such as salt water from salt lakes, urine, etc. can be added to the hole.
A word of advice:
This method while efficient has the disadvantage of requiring a lot of effort. A subsequent loss of fluid from the body through perspiration will occur. It is not recommended in areas where the transpiration bag can be used.
Suggested reading: Divining-Dowsing-Witching Water to the Degree of Survival
Water procurement by distilling sea water
If only salt water is available a distillation system can be made. You will have to improvise and use containers that can be found or that you may have. First, you require a container of seawater and material to seal the container to prevent steam from escaping.
Push one end of the tubing or rubber hose through this seal material. Check to see that the seal remains intact while blowing into the loose end of the tubing. Place the container onto a fire and bring to the boil.
Steam will be forced through the tube where it condenses and fresh water will drip from the end, into another container.
Another method is to simply bring water to the boil and catch as much steam as possible on a piece of cloth and then wring it out. Although this method works, it is not the most efficient. You must remember that the steam is the fresh water and therefore you must trap the steam to get fresh water.
Any improvised method will do even if you place an open container on the fire and bring it to the boil. Then arrange a small plastic ‘tent’ on top of it. The steam will strike the tent, condense and run down to your container or containers.
Note:
Aluminum foil or similar would make a seal around the container by folding it into a cone shape. The tubing should be attached to the small end of the cone. Make sure you place the large end around the container. Secure ends of the cone with wire to make the seal. Run the tubing through a cooling agent [water].
Once you’ve learned these water procurement methods it remains to practice them. Remember that you still need to filter the water you’ve procured and regarding water filtration here is an article showing you how to do it.
Useful resources to check out:
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