Survivormans Secrets Of Survival: Water

"Survivorman's Secrets of Survival" has been airing on the Science channel since 9/6. It is a compilation of Les Stroud's previous shows. Each episode deals with one topic such as best methods for making a fire, purifying water, making a shelter, MacGyverisms, etc. I will try to do a blog entry on each but sometimes they're hard to catch. I really wish they provided an overview at the end of each show.

Water is the single most important factor to consider in a survival situation. Remember the rule of 3s. While you can go three weeks without food, you can only go three days without water. Les' top 5 methods for getting water are listed below with number 1 being the most desirable method:

5. Making It- This is at the bottom of the list for a reason. While Bear Grylls seems to make his show's participants drink urine every episode, Les cautions against it. And it seems the internet is divided half and half on whether it's a good idea or not. While it might keep you alive short term, it is in fact putting the waste products back into your body that it just expelled. Instead, if you should use this method-- put a cup in the ground and cover it with plastic. Pee AROUND the plastic which will then evaporate and create some water in the cup. Les also shows how to desalinate sea water with tubing, a pot and a fire. Also try digging a hole about a foot deep. Muddy water may seep into the hole. Use a piece of cloth or one of the other methods below to drink it.

4. Using Water Substitutes- These may include plants containing water such as water vines or coconuts. Remember the one couple who survived on "Naked and Afraid" for some time by drinking coconut milk?

3. Boiling Water- You will need something metal to boil water in (or if you only have plastic be very careful not to burn it). While some recommend boiling for a period of time, just bringing the water to a boil should kill the germs. Also a reminder, you don't need to drink the water for it to make you sick. If you wash your hands or face in a Giardia contaminated source, you have already been infected.

2. Eating Snow- Here's another one that is controversial. Lots of people recommend against eating snow but Les says as long as you don't do right before you go to sleep (since it lowers the core temperature) you should be fine. I must say I have eaten a lot of snow in my life, and I'm still alive. Never eat discolored snow though!

1. Finding It Fresh- Look for depressions in the terrain or certain vegetation will indicate water. Water always runs downhill. Look for animal tracks or paths. Use a container, plastic, etc to collect rainwater. Collect dew in the early morning. Les seems to drink water straight a lot. He knows MUCH more than me but I'm too chicken and don't have enough knowledge to know what will/wont make me sick.

Here's my suggestions on how to stay safe:

A. Boil Water- if you start a fire, why not be safe and boil it first?
B. Water Purification Pills- I have several bottles in my home/car bug out bags.
C. Water Filter- You can spend lots of money for a home filter but I have a travel one that will work for short periods of time. There's also the old coffee filter/charcoal/sand method for filtering water too.

A few good sources on water purification: