How to Make Potable Water in the Desert

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A person can't live without water for more than three days. Make sure you don't become a desert victim statistic, by following this simple method of gathering water where there is no visible water source. You will glean enough potable water to keep you alive by using this method, but remember to rest during the day when the sun is burning hot, and walk at night to conserve your body fluids and energy.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Plastic sheeting
A small rock
A receptacle of some kind for the drinking water to drip into
Rocks for securing plastic sheeting

Step1

Dig a shallow hole in the desert floor with anything you have handy; an old tin can for example. The hole should be approximately ten inches deep and about two feet wide.

Step2

Unfold the plastic sheeting, which can be a piece of plastic bag, plastic winterizing sheeting or clear plastic of any kind, as long as it will support a little weight.

Step3

Place the water receptacle firmly in the center of the dug hole. Cover the hole in the desert floor with the plastic sheeting, and secure around the edge of it with rocks to prevent a cave-in.

Step4

Place a small rock in the center of the plastic sheeting and push the center downward a little, making a dip. Make sure the center of the plastic is directly above the water receptacle, as condensation will gather under the plastic sheeting where the rock is placed, and will drip, little by little, into the water receptacle. This will be enough potable water to keep you hydrated in an emergency situation. If there are many of you, then build more of these solar stills in the same way as the first.

Tips & Warnings

Seek shade during the day and rest to conserve energy and body fluids
Old tires usually get dumped in the desert; these make great signal fires and burn for hours.
Do not smoke when you are stranded in the desert, as it will only make your mouth dryer and your lips will crack