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Most wilderness explorers understand the importance of bringing along potable water, but what happens when the hike requires more water than you can carry? Dehydration is a harsh reality many hikers face due to inadequate fluid intake on their hikes. To avoid dehydration, sometimes it is necessary to find water sources to drink from in the wilderness.
Understanding your surroundings will help you locate water in the wilderness. First, vegetation typically means water is nearby. Search for green and colorful plants to bring yourself closer to a water source. Animal tracks or nearby feces are also a good indicator of nearby water, as all creatures need water to survive. In dry climates, birds can lead you to a water source.
Underground water can also be salvaged for drinking water. Find an area where the soil feels moist, and start digging. More often than not, the hole will begin to fill with water as you dig deeper.
Ice, snow, and rain are all natural sources of water that can be collected. It is recommended to melt ice and snow before eating it, as it can lower your body temperature and increase your risk of hypothermia (1). Rainwater can also be collected by setting out a tarp overnight.
Lastly, in dire circumstances, you can trap condensation from plants and drink that as a source of water. To do so, tie a plastic bag around a plant limb or bush to trap the moisture released from the plant for drinking. Note that this method does not typically provide you with enough water to collect and filter, so it should only be done in emergencies.
The National Park Service warns against drinking straight from any natural water source, even if it looks clean (2). Assume all water is contaminated until you treat it to remove contaminants.
In life-threatening situations, it may not be possible to treat your water before drinking it. In this case, the cleanest water source possible is going to be water flowing quickly (3). Streams and rivers moving quickly will be your best bet to avoid infection. If possible, follow this source upstream, as water tends to be cleaner the farther upstream it is.
Because these water sources are in the wilderness, they are exposed to all sorts of contaminants. Any water may look clean, but it can be filled with microorganisms harmful to your health. First, animals flock to water sources since they, too, need to survive. This leads to the possibility for animal feces to enter the water by rain or direct contact with the water source. Animal feces can carry parasites likeGiardia andCryptosporidium, both which lead to illness if consumed.
Depending on the location of the water source, agricultural pollution like pesticides and radioactive waste can infect the source with dangerous chemicals.
In order to truly have safe water in the wilderness, treating the water is a necessity. One of the most effective ways to remove parasites and bacteria from your water is by boiling it. After about three minutes of boiling the water, all protozoa will be removed from the water, making it safe to drink.
That being said, in an emergency situation you may not have access to a firestarter or kindling to last long enough for the water to adequately boil. In this case, a microfiltration filter will remove bacteria and parasites if it has a small enough pore size. Seychelle offers a hollow fiber straw, a type of microfilter with a pore size even smaller than its competition. The straw is lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit with your hiking gear without weighing it down. It is designed to remove 99.999% of bacteria and parasites from water, ensuring your wilderness water source is safe, every time.
The wilderness is full of fresh water sources, but none of them are guaranteed safe to drink. This is due to contaminants found in nature, like animal feces, and man-made contaminants, like pesticides. To ensure your water source is safe to drink, the water needs to be treated to remove microorganisms. For a fool-proof solution, shop Seychelle.
How do you tell if water is safe to drink in the wild?
No water source in the wild is safe to drink without treating it first. However, if you need to drink untreated water, find water that is flowing quickly. If possible, try to drink water upstream.
How to find drinkable water in the forest?
While it is not safe to drink water directly out of the forest due to microorganisms in the water, finding flowing water that is not stagnant lowers the risk of infection.
How to locate water in the wilderness?
Following animal tracks or green vegetation often will lead to a water source. You can also listen for the sounds of nearby running water. Additionally, feeling for moist soil may mean an underground water source is available, and digging can lead to water.
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