How to Take Water from the Air with Simple Machines
Experienced campers know that water is the most important resource out on the trail -- even more important than a tent. Without water, you won't last more than two or three days, but a time-honored survival technique known as a "solar still" employs a shovel -- the simplest of simple machines -- to generate fresh, drinkable water out of thin air.
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Instructions
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Dig a concave hole about 4 feet across, making sure to dig deep enough to hit moist soil. About a yard of depth should do the trick.
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In the center of the hole you just dug, dig another, smaller hole that's the same diameter as your collection bowl. Place the collection bowl in the small hole.
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Place the tarp over the hole, anchoring it on all sides with rocks (or whatever heavy objects are available). Make sure there are no gaps through which evaporating water may escape.
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Place a small rock in the center of the tarp so that it slopes downward toward the center at roughly a 45-degree angle. Make sure you place the rock directly over the collection bowl. Wait several hours; evaporating water from the earth will run down the side of the sheet and drip into the collection bowl underneath, producing about a quart of water per day.
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Tips & Warnings
While it may seem extreme, urinating into the hole underneath the tarp -- making sure to miss the collection bowl -- is actually a good idea. Only the water portion of the urine will evaporate. The urine recycling system on the International Space Station relies on the same basic principle; astronauts drink it all the time.
Don't dig the hole just anywhere. Seek out relatively moist soil, if possible, underneath shady trees or in old creek beds. Do not rely on solar stills as a substitute for carrying water with you when camping.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
