In survival situations, water quickly becomes a vital priority. The human body can survive several days without food, but rarely more than 72 hours without hydration. Dehydration affects physical and mental abilities, significantly increasing the risks of error or serious discomfort.
This article guides you through the different natural water sources that can be found in the wild, and the essential actions to hydrate without endangering your health.
1. Water in cold regions
Water can be obtained from snow and ice. Here are some tips to make it a drinkable source:
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Melt the snow or ice : Melt the snow or ice before consuming it.
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Avoid eating snow or ice directly : Do not eat snow or ice directly, as this can cause hypothermia and accelerate dehydration.
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Differentiate sea ice : Gray or opaque sea ice is salty and must be desalinated, while bluish sea ice contains little salt and can be used without desalination.
2. Water at sea
Water can be found in several ways at sea:
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Seawater : Never drink seawater without desalinating it. Use a desalination kit if available.
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Rain : Collect rainwater using tarps or containers. If your tarp is sold, wash it first with seawater.
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Sea ice : As with cold regions, follow the same recommendations.
3. Water on the beach
It is possible to collect water on the beach in different ways:
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Dig a hole to collect water : Dig a hole in the sand to allow water to accumulate there.
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Using heated stones to generate steam : You can also heat stones in the fire and submerge them in water to create steam. Absorb this steam with a cloth and twist it to extract the water.
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Recovering steam from seawater : An alternative is to boil seawater and collect the steam with a cloth.
4. Finding water in the desert
In the desert, water can be found by digging or observing the environment:
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Soil : Dig a hole in the following places: valleys, the bases of concave banks, cliffs or rock outcrops, depressions behind sand dunes, and areas with green vegetation.
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Cactus : Cut the top part of the cactus and press on the chair to extract the liquid. This can be difficult without a suitable knife, due to the thorns and tough bark.
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Rocks and cracks : Water can accumulate in the cracks of rocks. Insert a flexible tube to siphon the water.
5. Water from dew
Dew can be collected by tying rags or grass around your ankles and walking in the dew-covered grass before sunrise. Then twist the rags to collect the water in a container. Repeat until you have enough.
6. Indicators of the presence of water
Several signs in nature can indicate the presence of water:
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Bees and ants : Their presence near a tree trunk may suggest a hole filled with water.
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Condensation on metal : Water forms on metal surfaces due to temperature variations day/night. Use a cloth to absorb the water.
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Signs in the desert : Abandoned campsites, animal tracks, fire ashes, birds flying in circles, or birds chirping early in the morning can be clues to the proximity of a water source.
7. Water from plants
Some plants can provide drinking water:
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Green bamboos : Bend a bamboo stem and tie it. Cut the top part so that water flows out at night.
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Banana and plantain trees : Cut the tree about 30 cm from the ground and dig out the stump to collect the water that accumulates.
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Tropical climbing plants : Make a high cut on the stem and cut the base to collect water in a container.
8. Liquids to avoid
Some liquids should be avoided as they can worsen dehydration:
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Alcohol : Dehydrates the body and impairs judgment.
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Urine : Contains toxic waste and about 2% salt.
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Blood : Very salty, its digestion requires additional water.
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Seawater: Very salty (4% salt), it accelerates dehydration.
Do not consume any liquid that is gummy, milky, or bitter, as it may be harmful.
Conclusion
Water is crucial for survival, and there are many techniques to find it and make it drinkable. Know the water sources natural sources is a vital survival skill. In extreme situations, the ability to spot, collect, and preserve water can make all the difference between life and death.
It is therefore essential to learn to observe your environment to use natural signs and equip yourself with simple yet effective tools to ensure access to drinking water, wherever you are.
