How to Find WATER in a Survival Situation

Finding Water....

The first place to look is in valley bottoms where water naturally drains. If there is no obvious stream or pool, look for patches of green vegetation and try digging there. There may be water just below the surface which will build up in the hole. Even digging in gullies and dry steam beds may reveal a spring beneath the surface, especially in gravelly areas. In the mountains look for water trapped in crevices.
   On the coast digging above the high water line, especially where there are sand dunes, has a good chance of producing about  2 inches of fresh water that filters down and floats on the heavier salt water. It may be brackish but is still drinkable. Where cliffs fall into the sea look for lush growth of vegetation, even ferns and mosses, in a fault in the rock formation and you may find a soak or spring. If no freshwater can be found, Saltwater can be distilled.

     *Be suspicious of any pool with no green vegetation growing around it, or animal bones present. It is likely to be polluted by chemicals in the ground close to the surface. Check the edge for minrtals which might indicate alkaline conditions. ALWAYS  BOIL WATER FROM  POOLS. In desert there are lakes with no outlets, these become salt lakes. Their water MUST be distilled before drinking.

DEW AND RAIN COLLECTION.... Despite the acid rain produced by industrialized countries, which can cause build up of pollution in the soil, rainwater everywhere is drinkable and only needs collecting. Use as big a catchment area as possible, running the water off into containers of every kind. A hold dug in the ground and lined with clay will hold water efficiently, but keep it covered. If you have no impermeable sheeting, metal sheets or bark can be used to catch water in. If you have any doubt about the water you have collected, boil it.
    In Climates where it is very hot during the day and cold at night, heavy dew can be expected. When it condenses on metal objects it can be sponged or licked off.
    You can use clothing to soak up water and then wring it out. One way is to tie clean cloths around the legs and ankles and walk through wet vegetation. These can be sucked or wrung out.

All Animals Lead To water...

Mammals... Most animals require water regularly. Grazing animals are usually never far from water, though some kinds travel thousands of miles to avoid the dry season, as they need to drink at dawn and dusk. Converging game trails often lead to water, follow them downhill. carnivores (meat eaters) can go for a long period between watering. They get moisture from the animals on which they prey so are not a positive indication of local water.

Birds... Grain eaters, such as finches and pigeons, are never far from water. They drink at dawn and dusk. When they fly straight and low they are heading for water. When returning from water they are loaded with it and fly from tree to tree, resting frequently. Plot their direction and water can be found.
     Water birds can travel long distances without stopping to feed or drink so do not necessarily indicate water nearby. Hawks, eagles and other birds of prey also get liquids from their victims so cannot be taken as a sign of local water.

Reptiles... Not an indicator of water. They collect dew and get moisture from prey, so can go a long time without it.

Insects... Good indicators, especially bees... They fly at most 4 miles from their nests or hives, but have no regular water times. Ants are dependent on water. A column of ants marching up a tree is a going to a small reservoir of trapped water. Such reservoirs are found even in arid areas. Most flies keep within 100 yards of water.

Human Tracks....  Human tracks will usually lead to a well , bore hole or soak. It may be covered over with scrub or rocks to reduce evaporation. Be sure to Replace the cover out of the respect for the owner.

REMEMBER: RATION YOUR SWEAT NOT YOUR WATER!!
If you have to ration water, take it in sips. After going a long time without water, don't guzzle it when you find it. Take only sips at first. Large gulps will make a dehydrated person vomit, losing even more valuable liquid.

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Eric from Ruff Survival

The Importance of Water in Survival

Water is essential to all life. A person can survive for 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without water, therefore its discovery and conservation should be prioritized over food. Don't wait until you have run out of water before you look for it. Conserve what you have and seek a source as soon as possible, preferably fresh running water, though all water can be sterilized by boiling or by using chemical purifiers. In  a survival situation a 1 liter jug can be made to last 3 days. This is achieved by dividing the last 1/4 liter into three, then drinking half of the day's ration at midday, and the balance at night for 3 days.
   Water is the coolant that keeps the body at an even temperature, it is needed to keep the kidneys functioning to eliminate wastes, is required for breathing, and for digestion. But the fluids contained in the body are limited. Lost water must be replaced or health and efficiency will suffer. The average human requires the minimum of 1/4 liter of water per day to survive.

WATER LOSS... The average person loses 2-3 liters of water each day, even someone resting in shade loses about 1 liter. Just breathing loses fluids, and loss through respiration and perspiration increases with work rate and temperature.  Vomiting and diarrhea increase further loss. This must all be replaced to preserve the critical water balance, either by actual water or water contained in food.

HOW TO RETAIN FLUIDS

• Avoid exertion
• Just rest
• Don't smoke
• Keep cool
• Stay in Shade... If there is none erect a cover to provide it
• Do not lie on hot ground or heated surfaces
• Don't eat, or eat as little as possible. (if there is no water available fluid will be taken from the vital organs to digest food, further increasing dehydration. Fat is the hardest to digest and takes a lot of fluid to break down)
• Never drink alcohol
• Don't talk
• Breath through your nose, not your mouth

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Thanks again... Eric from Ruff Survival