Water & survival

I. Why we need water A. Digestion…the more you eat the more water you need - upset stomach B. Clear thinking…dehydration impairs brain function 1. depression 2. confusion C. Blood pressure… dehydration causes low blood pressure 1. poor balance 2. slow reaction speed D. Can become dehydrated with out feeling thirsty!!

II. Why water is not safe A. pollution/toxins 1. Algae = toxins 2. pesticides 3. boiling won’t help C. Bacteria D. parasites 1. Giardia = hikers diarrhea 2. animal waste in water E. Cause diarrhea & DEHYDRATION

III. Best Bet for clean water A. fast flowing B. away from humans C. look clean 1. no algae (make toxins) *can’t filter/boil out toxins! 2. clear (cloudy = bacteria) 3. no animals (old)

IV. Make Water Safe from bacteria/parasites A. Filter – remove large debris/parasites 1. through cloth 2. clean sand in hollow log or bottle B. Boil to kill bacteria/parasites 1. 5 min for active bacteria/parasites 2. 20 min for spores 3. use rocks to heat water if no fire proof container **** get rocks from dry area or they may explode##

V. Find the water A. Low places 1. valley 2. base of cliff or hill 3. River beds ( dig if dry) water will seep into hole dig more than one hole B. Bare rock depressions C. follow animals

D. Plants indicate ground water (dig well or solar still) 1. Trees = water on plains 2. cattails & phragmities = water in Midwest 3. Any plants in desert

E. Plants can provide moisture 1. SAP *grape or trees in spring – cut bark collect water - hollow tube - angle cuts * sycamore all year

2. moisture in stems * chew inner stem – thistle * cactus – do not eat pulp * aloe – eat any part * mash up and put in solar still 3. transpiration * put bag over leaves * plant pulls water up from deep underground

F. Collect Dew 1. rag 2. metal

G. Urine or salt water 1. too salty – unpurified urine as last resort 2. purify- * distill * solar still

H. Snow / ice MELT first!! takes too much energy to heat up * put snow in container under bark/ evergreen * drop hot rock into snow pile * put in exterior pocket to warm by lost body heat 2. Boil ice but snow and frost should be clean

I. Conserve water 1. don’t eat 2. travel when cool 3. don’t sweat – slow pace, light clothing 4. drink the water you have…store it in your stomach!