Water is the most important asset that our body needs to survive and one of the few things we can’t survive very long without! Shelter is usually your number one priority in any survival situation but water and shelter go hand in hand. You should place your shelter reasonably close to your water source. This will make life much easier because I guarantee you that you will grow tired very quickly of having to hike a mile to get a drink. So be mindful of shelter placement first. There are so many methods for procuring water in the wilderness that I will only list a few here.

Disclaimer: Our ancestors have been drinking water from streams for centuries and have built an immunity to many micro organisms and this can be done by modern day man as well but usually not without a bout of sickness once or twice. Many survival instructors can drink from streams because they spend a considerable amount of time in these environments and their immune system has been exposed to these things. Use your own judgement on water sources but just know that giardia and cryptosporidium can cause serious illness. But just like any other bug you can build an immunity to these things. This article is not a recommendation of any technique just a dispersal of info, use at your own risk!

-Sphagnum moss can be gathered in moist areas and wringed out for quite a bit of moisture. It contains tannic acid and other things that kill off micro organisms

-Dig a hole next to a stream bank that is not near an animal drinking area (check for tracks) and dig down to the water table. Allow the hole to fill and the soil will filter most contaminants out. If you are worried about contaminants then you can fill the hole with hot rocks and bring the water to a boil.

-Make coal burned containers, fill with water and use hot rocks to boil. Birch bark containers also work well.

-Number one recommendation for water equipment is to carry a stainless steel bottle you can boil water in. Or better yet you can carry a katdyn pocket filter. The best water filter on the market. Thats my personal choice, but you don’t always have a choice so you need to learn these other methods as well.

-Tap trees such as sycamore, birch, maple, or cut grape vines

-In the early morning when dew point is high tie a cloth to your ankle and walk through dew. Then wring water from the shirt into a container.

-Saltwater distilla

tion can be done by digging a hole a 1-2 feet and if you have something to line the hole with then do so. Such as game hide, etc. but not needed. Fill the hole with water and then drop hot rocks in and bring to boil. At top of the hole cover it with cloth and gather the steam in the clothing and ring it out into a container.

For further training on how to safely procure water in the wilderness take a look at these courses we offer Survival Standard, Advanced Survival Standard, Knife Only, and Primitive Fire and Water Procurement

 Sip well and Rock Boiling

Collecting Dew for Survival

Purifying Water w/ Plants

Katadyn Pocket Filter Review

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