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Get potable water to quench your thirst in dry climates
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Dehydration can set in quickly in the desert. If you are lost in a barren landscape you can actually extract water from soil or plants through the process of condensation, using the techniques described below. It's not really "making" water, but it'll be lifesaving nonetheless.
Things You Should Know
- Dig a few holes 19 in (50 cm) deep in a dried river bed, or until you reach moist soil.
- Fill the holes with nearby, non-poisonous plants and place a cup or canteen in the center of each hole.
- Stretch a bit of plastic wrap over the holes and weigh it down at the edges with dirt. Then place a rock in the center to channel condensation into the cup.
Steps
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Survey the land for signs of dried out river beds. These locations are the best place to seek moisture. -
Dig a few curved holes (the more the better) about 19 inches (50 cm) deep so that the moist subsoil is clearly visible. [1] X Research source- If you are in dryer conditions, the moist subsoil may be slightly deeper. Dig until you find it.
- Do not dig the hole/holes in the shade. This process needs direct sunlight to work correctly. Look around and make sure that shade won't move over your solar still before evening arrives.
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Throw any non-poisonous plants into the hole/holes. [2] X Research source -
Place an open coffee can, mug, cup or canteen in the center of each hole.- If you have a length of plastic tubing, you can run it from the bottom of the coffee can out the edge of the hole. You can use the tubing to suck the water from the can without dismantling the still.
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Lay a taut piece of clear plastic wrap across the top of each hole. -
Create a seal by pouring sand in a circle around each hole along the outside of the plastic wrap.- Pour the sand 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) from the edge of the plastic wrap. Ensure that there are no gaps. The plastic wrap must seal the hole shut; if it is punctured, the water will not condense.
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Place a small to medium sized rock in the center of the plastic wrap so that the plastic wrap dips to a point above the can. Keep the plastic wrap from touching the can or else the water will not drip into the can. -
Wait for the sun to evaporate water out of the moist soil and any plants within each hole. [3] X Research source The water will condense on the plastic wrap because it cannot escape the hole and will drip into the can. If you have installed plastic tubing, drink from that. -
Once the sun dries the subsoil in a hole, just dig another. Alternatively, you may dig deeper using the established hole/holes.
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Using 550 paracord (or similar material), tie a clear plastic bag on the end of a plant or small tree branch. Do not use tape - the heat will prevent the tape from adhering effectively to the bag. -
Make sure the bag is sealed as tightly as possible around the branch. The plant transpires water during the process of transpiration. -
Water vapor will collect and condense in the bag. Make sure the water collecting in the bag won't drip out. -
Wait until evening for maximum condensation before removing the bag. -
Switch the bag to another branch and repeat. -
Expected yield is one cup of water per large bag - you will need several of these to survive.
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Tips
- The Pit-style Solar Still technique can also be used to purify dirty water and urine. [4] X Research source To do this, replace the container from an existing hole with a vessel holding the tainted water, doing everything else the same. If you don't have a container, pour the tainted water directly into the hole. [5] X Research sourceThanks
- Don't waste time while you're waiting. Instead, make a number of stills of different designs to increase your water harvest and as a safeguard in case your first still fails.Thanks
- If in the Sahara Desert, dig a very deep hole before setting any water harvesting equipment (homemade or otherwise).Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- The best way to survive in an environment as harsh and unforgiving as the desert is to know as much as possible beforehand. Practice camping or backpacking trips in safer or similar environments to put your knowledge into practice.
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Warnings
- You may lose more water perspiring while digging than the still will generate for you in the end, depending on the moisture in the soil, how hard the soil is to dig, and what you're digging it with.Thanks
- Contrary to what is written in some popular survival books, the solar still will not provide adequate water to keep a person alive, even if it is constructed in moist soil. It is the last resort.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
The easiest way to make water in the desert is through condensation. Dig a 19-inch (50-cm) deep hole in a dried out river bed, then fill it with leaves and a mug or cup. Cover the hole with plastic wrap, seal the edges with dirt, and place a stone in the center of the plastic wrap. Wait for the water to condense into the mug or cup. To learn about how to collect water from a living desert plant, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "When I was hiking in the White Mountains, I was feeling thirsty and my cooler ran out of water. Luckily, I had plastic bags, which allowed me to extract water from the trees nearby. I thank the authors of the article for potentially saving my life." ..." more
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"When I was hiking in the White Mountains, I was feeling thirsty and my cooler ran out of water. Luckily, I had plastic bags, which allowed me to extract water from the trees nearby. I thank the authors of the article for potentially saving my life."
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"I knew I had to get the condensation into the vessel. I just didn't know how to. The stone on top of the plastic wrap to create a dip which gets the condensation back into the vessel is a good idea."
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"I was in class researching for my science exam on how a plastic bag is an important survival kit and found this. now I am going to ace the exam!"
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