When in the wilderness, finding and procuring water is a crucial part of survival. Without a source of clean water, dehydration can quickly set in, leading to further complications like heat exhaustion and impaired cognitive function.
In extreme cases, lack of access to clean water can be fatal. This is why it’s important to know how to purify water when you’re in the wild.
Bleach: A Useful Tool for Water Purification
One of the simplest and most effective ways to purify water in the wild is by using bleach. Bleach contains Sodium Hypochlorite, which has been proven effective at killing harmful bacteria and viruses that may be present in water sources.
Additionally, bleach is easy to carry with you on your outdoor adventures as it comes in small bottles or tablets that can fit easily into your backpack.
The Importance of Clean Water
Clean drinking water is essential for sustaining life, whether you’re out camping or just living your day-to-day life. In fact, the human body can only go three days without access to clean drinking water before becoming severely dehydrated.
But not all sources of water are safe to drink from – especially when out in nature where there may be pollutants like bacteria from fecal matter or parasites that could cause disease outbreaks if ingested.
This makes it imperative that we learn how to purify our drinking water while outdoors – and bleach is one method that has been proven successful time and time again.
Finding Water in The Wild
Water is one of the most crucial elements for survival in the wild. When you find yourself stranded or lost, it’s essential to find a water source as quickly as possible. The following are some tips on how to locate water sources while in the wild.
First and foremost, look for areas where vegetation is present. Vegetation indicates that there is a source of water nearby, whether it’s an underground spring or a riverbed.
You might also come across animal trails or tracks that lead to water sources such as a river, pond, or lake. When looking for water sources, it’s important to remember that not all running water is drinkable.
Assessing the Quality of Water
It’s vital to check the quality of any water you come across before drinking it. Even if it appears clean and clear, there may be hidden contaminants that could cause severe illness or disease.
While assessing the quality of your water source will not guarantee its safety entirely, here are some ways to check: Examine the color and odor: If the color appears murky with an unpleasant odor – chances are this isn’t safe for consumption.
If possible use visual cues: Generally speaking running streams have fewer contaminants compared to stagnant pools. Test using filtration systems: Portable filters can remove pollutants from contaminated water- ensuring its safety.
Boil before drinking: As an additional measure boil your collected water- boiling kills off many bacteria and germs making it safer for consumption. finding clean drinking water in nature isn’t always easy — but with knowledge and experience on your side locating fresh sources will be no issue at all!
Preparing Bleach Solution
Choosing the Right Type of Bleach
When it comes to choosing the right type of bleach for water purification in the wild, you want to ensure that you pick one that contains at least 5% sodium hypochlorite. This is the active ingredient that will effectively kill bacteria and viruses in your water.
Avoid using scented or color-safe bleaches, as these may contain additional chemicals that are unsafe for consumption.
Mixing Bleach with Water in Correct Ratios
Once you have chosen an appropriate bleach, it’s important to mix it with water in the correct ratios. The general rule of thumb is to use 8 drops of bleach per 1 gallon of water. If you’re unsure how much water you need to purify, use a container with a known volume and add bleach accordingly.
It’s important not to overdo it on the bleach – using too much can be harmful and even potentially deadly if consumed. Remember, bleach is a powerful chemical and should be handled with care.
It’s also recommended that you wear gloves when handling bleach to protect your skin. Once mixed together, let the solution sit for at least 30 minutes before consuming – this will give the bleach enough time to disinfect the water properly.
Purifying Water with Bleach
Adding bleach solution to water
Once you have your bleach solution ready, the next step is to add it to the water. The amount of bleach needed depends on the quality of the water.
For clear, non-turbid water, you can add 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water. For cloudy or turbid water, double this amount.
Make sure to use a clean dropper or measuring spoon when adding the bleach. It’s important to note that adding too much bleach can make the water unsafe for consumption.
Follow the recommended ratios and do not exceed them. Also, do not use scented or color-safe bleaches as they may contain additional chemicals that are harmful for consumption.
Stirring and waiting for disinfection to occur
After adding your bleach solution, stir the water thoroughly for at least a minute. This will help distribute the bleach evenly throughout the water and promote disinfection of any bacteria or viruses present. Now comes the waiting game – you’ll need to wait at least 30 minutes before consuming your purified water.
This allows time for disinfection to occur and any remaining pathogens to be neutralized by the chlorine in the bleach. It’s tempting to drink immediately after stirring and adding bleach, but it’s crucial to wait out this period as drinking contaminated water can lead to severe illnesses in survival situations.
Filtering Water After Disinfection
Even after adding bleach to a water source, there may still be particles and impurities present. It is important to filter the water after disinfection to ensure that you are drinking only clean water.
One way to do this is by using a cloth or filter. If you have access to a cloth, use it to strain the water and remove any large particles.
This will help prevent clogging of your filter if you decide to use one. If you don’t have a cloth, look for natural materials like leaves or grass that can serve as a makeshift strainer.
To filter the water even further, consider using a commercial camping or survival filter. These filters can come in handy when on extended trips in the wild and provide an extra layer of protection against harmful bacteria and protozoa.
Using Boiling Water as an Additional Safety Measure
In addition to filtering the water, boiling it is another effective way of ensuring its safety for consumption. This process involves heating the already disinfected water until it reaches boiling point (100°C) for at least five minutes.
Boiling eliminates any remaining bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may have survived the initial disinfection process or made their way into your purified water during storage or transport.
Note that boiling does not remove chemical contaminants from your drinking water; therefore, it is essential to determine whether these are present before resorting exclusively to boiling as a purification method.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
While bleach can be an effective tool for purifying water in the wild, filtering and boiling should not be overlooked as additional safety measures. No matter which method(s) you decide on using for purifying your drinking water, it is also important to take preventative measures in the first place.
Always be sure to assess the quality of any water source before you use it and try to avoid sources that appear contaminated or unsafe. In addition, always sanitize your hands and equipment before handling your drinking water, and store it in clean containers that have not been previously used for hazardous materials.
Being proactive about ensuring your drinking water safety can save you from unwanted illness, dehydration, or worse when venturing out into the wild. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Related: Mastering Survival: Practice These Essential Skills At Home
Final Thoughts
Water is essential for our survival, and it becomes even more crucial when we are in the wild. It is not always possible to find clean water sources that are safe to drink. Drinking contaminated water can lead to severe illnesses, dehydration, and even death.
Hence, it’s essential to know how to purify water when you’re stranded in the wilderness. In such situations, having access to clean water can be a matter of life and death.
Without proper hydration, your body cannot function properly, leading to fatigue and confusion. Therefore, always remember how crucial it is always to have a source of clean drinking water.
Emphasize the Effectiveness and Ease of Using Bleach for Purification
When it comes to purifying water in the wild, bleach can be a valuable tool. It is one of the cheapest and most accessible methods for disinfecting drinking water. You don’t need any special equipment or skills; just an eyedropper or measuring tool and some bleach will do.
Using bleach as a disinfectant helps ensure that you have access to safe drinking water when no other options are readily available. In addition, using bleach solution requires minimal effort compared with other methods such as boiling or filtering out particles from the water.
Purifying water with bleach is an easy process that anyone can do with minimal preparation; it’s a cheap method that you can use anywhere without worrying about carrying any additional equipment.
Remember this lifesaving tip next time you’re out exploring nature or faced with a survival situation – having access to clean drinking water should never be taken lightly!