Water Management in Survival Situations: Filtration, Purification and Storage

Why is it Important to Purify Water in the Wild?

Purifying water found in the wild is essential to consuming it safely. This process eliminates viruses and pathogens that can cause water-related illnesses. Knowing how to purify water is a valuable skill when isolated in a remote area, as staying hydrated is vital for survival.

It is always recommended to filter water before purifying or drinking it, to remove debris that can cause illness. For maximum safety, outdoor enthusiasts and experts alike are advised to always have essential survival tools, such as a compass or map, knife, fire starter, first aid kit, water filtration device and purification tablets (such as iodine tablets).

Filtering Water vs. Purifying Water: What's the Difference?

Water filtration involves passing it through a filtration device to remove debris and bacteria. Standard filters use physical sieve-like tools to remove impurities.

In contrast, purifying water involves adding a chemical element or disinfectant (such as UV light or chemical purification tablets) to kill harmful elements such as viruses and microorganisms. Filtration removes many contaminants but does not remove extremely small viruses and microbes, too tiny to be captured by a conventional filter.

How to Purify Water in the Wild

Drinking contaminated water can lead to diseases like giardiasis and dysentery, making it important to purify any water collected from a wild source. Use UV lights or purification tablets to kill bacteria and make water safe to drink. Alternatively, use the sun's ultraviolet rays to distill your water and eliminate pathogens. Here's how to purify your collected water using solar disinfection:

1. Gather your materials: a container like a coffee can, glass bottle, stainless steel pot, or water bottle. The larger the opening of your container, the better, because you'll be using it to capture evaporated water. Find a digging tool, such as a stick, spoon or trowel, to make a hole in the ground, and a small pebble or rock to attract condensation. Make sure you have a piece of plastic, preferably clear or translucent, to cover the hole you are digging. Finally, you will need moist organic matter, such as plants or moss, to place near your container once it is in the hole.

2. Dig your hole: Find a spot with moist soil that gets plenty of sunlight. Use your digging tool to make a hole in this area. Make the sides of the hole even and straight to make your container easier to handle.

3. Place your container: Place your water container in the center of the hole and surround it with moist material, like moss or plants. Plant matter will attract moisture and speed up water evaporation.

4. Cover the hole with plastic: Use plastic to seal the opening of the hole so that evaporated water cannot escape out the sides. The plastic should be translucent enough that light can pass through it. Weight the edge of the plastic with stones to keep it taut. The plastic will trap moisture in the hole, creating a mini-greenhouse.

5. Place a pebble on the plastic: use a small rock or pebble to create a slight depression in the center of the plastic; this will create a sloped surface directly above the container that will collect the water. The water will evaporate and condense on the inside of the plastic, then drip into your container.

6. Remove the container from the hole: After collecting enough water in the container, remove it from the hole.

7. Filter your water: Filter your water with a water filtration device to remove any additional debris that may have collected in the hole. Distilled water can quickly pick up impurities from roof surfaces, leaves or tree trunks, so it is essential to store distilled water in a clean container immediately after distillation. Once you've transferred your water to a clean container, it's ready to drink.

8. How to Purify Water in the Wild by Boiling
   
   

   If you know how to make a fire, boiling water is an effective method of water purification. Boiling will not remove all pollutants from the water, but can eliminate parasitic protozoa such as cryptosporidium and giardia. (Water purifying tablets are more effective for this, but they can alter the taste of the water.) However, in a serious survival situation where every drop counts, boiling can significantly reduce the amount of water you you have something to drink.

   To purify water by boiling, first start by lighting a fire. Next, fill a coffee can or steel pot with water, then place it over the flame until it reaches a sustained boil. Continue to boil the water for at least one minute (or three minutes at altitudes of 6,500 feet or higher).

   3 Factors to Consider When Purifying Water in the Wild

   Consider the following factors when collecting drinking water in the wilderness:

   1. Animals : If you see animals drinking from a water source, chances are you can drink from that source as well. However, it is essential to avoid water with dead animals or floating feces, as these contaminants are likely to carry viruses or bacteria. Avoid streams or dams where beavers live, as they can spread giardia.

   2. Water color : Clear water is not necessarily drinkable, but water that is cloudy, green, or has floating sediment are clear indicators of contamination. Water contaminated with algae or oily films is also not drinkable. Avoid any water with a strong odor. If you're not sure whether your water's cloudiness is due to pollution or just soil, fill your container and let the water sit to see if debris settles to the bottom. The earth will sink into the water.

   3. Water Source : One of the most critical elements of water purification is the water source itself. Fresh water sources, such as rivers, streams, and other moving water sources, are safe to sample, while standing water is not. (Stagnant water harbors a lot of bacteria.) Collect water at higher elevations and as close to the source as possible. Avoid collecting water near animal grazing sites, as animals like beavers can spread viruses and bacteria.

Filtering Straws and Bottles: Drinking Safely in Nature

A crucial element of water management in the wilderness is the use of filter straws and water bottles. These innovative devices allow safe drinking directly from natural sources like streams, without the need for complex purification processes.

Filter straws are equipped with miniaturized filtration systems capable of eliminating bacteria, parasites and other contaminants. They are ideal for hikers and survivalists who need quick and safe access to drinking water. Likewise, filter bottles offer a dual solution: they not only filter water, but also store it for future use.

These water bottles come with built-in filters that purify the water as you drink. Lightweight and easy to carry, these water bottles are perfect for long expeditions where access to drinking water is limited. By using these tools, adventurers can significantly reduce the risk of water-borne illnesses and stay reliably hydrated no matter where their adventure takes them.