How to Make Fresh Water Out of Sea Water

There's no doubt about it--it's best to drink real, fresh water. But in a survival situation, you may not have that immediate choice. If your only option for drinking appears to be salty sea water, never fear: there is a somewhat easy way to turn it into fresh water! This could be the most important how-to you ever read. After all, one day your life may depend on it. Sea water to fresh water--here's how it's done.

Things You'll Need

• Tube
• 2 containers
• Bandana, tape or glue
• Kindling
• Match

Instructions

1. Locate 2 containers, at least one of which must be able to withstand the heat of a fire. Metal containers, glass containers and even strong plastic containers would work here. The containers must be able to seal up--either by means of a lid or some other seal. Fill one of the containers 3/4 of the way with sea water.

2. Find a tube, preferably of plastic, metal or glass, that can connect the 2 sealed containers. Your tube could be a simple straw, a snorkel breathing tube or some other, similar tube.

3. Attach one end of the tube to one of the sealed containers, then attach the other end to the other container. Both containers should be set in a position in which, if the containers happened to be full, their contents would not spill through the tube into each other. Attaching the tube will demand creativity--you may want to use a bandana, tape from a first-aid kit or glue. Make sure that once the tube is attached to both containers, everything is sealed; there should be no place for air to escape.

4. Heat the container 3/4 full of sea water over a fire. As the sea water heats up, it will produce water vapor. The water vapor will be pushed along the tube into the empty container, where it will cool. Eventually, the previously empty container will be partly filled with drinkable water. You've just created fresh water out of sea water.

5. Refill the sea water container, then repeat Step 4. Continue until you have enough water.

Tips & Warnings

• If sea water isn't available either, you may use this same method to distill fresh water from your own urine.

• This is a last resort! Naturally fresh water is always best!

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish