Video Preview - Disc One
PREPARED TO SURVIVE
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WATER
You can’t live more than 3-5 days without drinking an adequate amount of water. This is especially true in hot climates where you really perspire. Even in cold climates, you will need to drink at least 2 quarts of water a day to stay healthy.
- Terrain: Water flows to low points in terrain. Streams and rivers will usually be found in drainages. Ponds and lakes are found in low-lying areas.
- Plants: Dense grass and other vegetation such as deciduous trees are a good sign.
- Mammals: Most large animals will go to water in the morning. Converging animal trails often lead to water.
- Insects: Sources of water often have insects flying around them.
Once you have found water, you will need a container for it. Options for water storage include canteens, thick water storage bags, water bottles and thick zip-loc bags. If you have the option, get a water container that has a wide mouth to make transferring easier.
You can gather rainwater with a large surface like a tarp, catching water and funneling it into a container. You may also be able to find rainwater that has accumulated naturally in rocks and trees. Plastic drinking straws can be very useful for getting rainwater out of hard to reach places. If clean snow or ice is available, don’t eat it without melting it first. Eating snow or ice will lower your body temperature and make your body use a lot of energy processing it. Rainwater and freshly fallen snow don’t need to be purified.
You must filter and purify water from lakes, ponds, swamps, springs or streams before drinking it. Even in remote areas, if you don’t take the precaution of purifying water before drinking it, you could contract diseases or swallow harmful organisms that will hurt your chances for survival. Purifying water kills harmful bacteria and viruses. There are three ways to purify water in a survival situation: water purification tablets or crystals, boiling water, and using a filtered drinking bottle or pump. Tablets and crystals work well but can leave an unpleasant taste. Boiling water should kill anything harmful in the water, however it takes time to heat up and cool. Filtered devices are the quickest method of purifying water and have the advantage of cleaning debris from water in addition to purifying it, however the filters have to be cleaned or replaced with use. They are also heavier and bulkier. If purification is not an option, then drink the cleanest, coldest water available and see a doctor after you are rescued. Drinking untreated water is better than dying from dehydration. Keep a sample of the water to allow the doctor to quickly identify what problems you may have.
If you don’t have an abundant supply of water, you need to modify your behavior to lessen the chances of dehydration:- Avoid sweating
- Work and travel at a slow pace
- Try to work mostly in the early morning and late afternoon
- Only eat if you have enough water to process it
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