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Arizona Bushman Wilderness survival and Bushcraft |
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The Desert.....Finding water and shelter.
Water!!
| For starters let me tell you the desert has seasons just like anywhere else on the planet. The summers are hot and the nights are too. It isn't until fall that the nights start getting cold and the days...well they can still be hot as hell. As winter rolls around the days depending on where you are will be cold and the nights even colder. The southwest alone has several differing climates when it comes to the cold months depending on altitude (that is elevation above sea level). Some parts (lower altitudes) can still be hot in the day, but the nights will be the deciding factor as to which season you are in, if you catch my drift. The two biggest factors to overcome in a desert environment is water and shelter. Anyone that lives in the southwest will tell you that water is scarce, almost non existent! Sure we have our lakes, rivers, and springs but these are few and far between. Just because it says river doesn't mean there will be water. Most of the southwest is veined with dry rivers and washes. It can in fact make you wonder if even the jack rabbits carry canteens. The key to finding water here is knowing where to look. If you run out of water and you don't know where to look for it you will DIE! |
Ways to locate water
| 1. under ground- Buy digging in a dry wash or river on the outer bend or in a low point. Sure this can work, I prefer to find a place where the bed rock is close to the surface (you can tell by the rock formations) and where there is two key types of vegetation. Seep willow (or mule fat). this only grows near sources of water (it is a positive sign that water is near). Large stands of deciduous trees. Look for Cotton woods or true willows. These two trees are positives that there is water around. The large deciduous trees can be seen from a distance, while the shrubby seep willow can be seen up close. When you have found these three key things you have found water. Even if you have to dig it will not be more than a couple of feet below the surface. |
| 2.Solar still- Great design, great idea! You need to understand something about the solar still before you build one. The solar still uses the green house effect to vaporize moisture from the ground and condensate it onto a plastic membrane. This then drips into a container. This can then be safely drunk. This is a daunting task in the heat of the day. I really suggest that you build the still at night when it is cooler and if you have a supply of water. The solar still can save your life. I see it more as a way to supplement your water supply, not a way to obtain a healthy water supply. By thinking ahead you can have a few more cups a day of water to add to what you already have. You will use up entirely too much body fluid building one in the heat of the day. The object to desert (or any) survival situation is to conserve body fluid, calories, and preserve your core body temperature. I will later go over the construction of the solar still. |
| 3. Transpiration Bag- This is also good. This uses much less calories and body fluid to construct. This method catches the moisture from a tree branch and the leaves to turn it into usable safe water. Only use edible vegetation for this. The toxins will come out in the water making the water poisonous. You can easily carry several clear drum liners to make several of these. You can obtain up to a cup of water a day using this method. By placing several bags over several branches (sealing the opening over the branch) you can supplement your water supply quite easily. |
| 4. The vegetation bag- This uses large zip lock bags to obtain water. Again use only edible vegetation for this. By placing vegetation into the bag and allowing it to sit in the sun the moisture will collect in the bag. one corner should be lower than the rest to make a place for the water to collect. With little effort you can carry several zip lock bags and utilize them in this way. |
| 5. Plants-
The barrel cactus stores water inside. it is locked away inside
the pulp and must be extracted. There are a few ways to do this. First the top
of the cactus must be cut off. Then the pulp must be either removed or
pulverized inside the cactus. If left inside the cactus it will allow you to
strain the liquid into a container leaving the pulp behind. if you choose to
remove the pulp from the cactus is can be placed in a bandanna and squeezed out
into a container. It can also be squeezed in your hand and by using your thumb
as a spout allowing the liquid to run into your mouth. Keep in mind. You can eat
the pulp, but if you have no water your body must digest and break down this
pulp using valuable water to do so. Also The barrel cactus can lower your core
body temp. This is not a problem in the heat of the day but at night or in cold
weather can cause some problems.
You can add edible vegetation to the solar still to aid in increased water production. Also in early to late spring you can get water from the wild grape vine by cutting a long section off the plant. Hold one of the cut ends over a container or in your mouth and the water will run in. At this same time of year willow saplings will do the same thing.
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| 6. Surface water- all surface water must be purified. This can be found the same way as underground water with the addition of insects. Anytime there is surface water available in the desert you will with out a doubt see lines of flying insects going to and from the pool of water. Be careful of bees and wasps, They will defend their water supply. I have found that once you have located a supply, wait till night time to safely get your water. This is when the bees and wasps are sleeping. |
Shelter!
| Shelter
begins with the clothes you have on. Dressing properly and in light colors will
help you to stay cool. No matter what the temptation may be, keep your clothes
on. The desert sun is relentless. Keep your head covered. This will protect from
the sun hitting your head and heating you body faster. Yes you can gain heat the
same way you can loose it. If stuck due to a car breaking down or even a plane
crash stay next to the vehicle but stay out of it in the heat of the day.
Staying an a vehicle in the heat you will quickly find out what the Thanksgiving
turkey feels like. Make shelter close to but away from the vehicle. It is easier
for rescuers to see the vehicle than someone walking around in the desert. At
night in hot climates it is safe to sleep in the vehicle ( the mornings will be
extremely hot so don't worry about sleeping in). In the colder months at higher
altitudes stay out of the vehicle at night. Make shelter somewhere near by. Not
only will you bake in a car in the heat but you will also freeze in the cold
should the temp drop. Your best bet is to get what you need from the vehicle and
use it inside your shelter.
You have probably always herd to build your shelter up higher as to receive the warming rays of sun in the morning. Well in Fall or Winter YES, Spring and Summer NO. In the summer you actually want to build your shelter lower in a protected area out of the sun. The object in the desert summer is to stay cool and out of the sun as much as possible. By building lower you are buying time before the relentless suns rays come beating your butt once again. Make sure it is well drained, with no widow makers above you as well as away from any washes that may come up. Shelter direction is different in the Southwest as compared to most other places as well. In summer you want to face your shelter North. This is to protect you from the sun. It will keep the sun to the back of your shelter. In winter face it south. This takes advantage of the suns warming rays keeping you warmer longer. Make like a dog!! Ever notice a dog in the back yard. They dig a little them lay down. Soon enough he has dug all the way around the tree. This is because the soil under the surface is cooler. The dog is also digging around the tree following the shade. If we do the same thing this will also help to keep us that much cooler. Simply clear the surface dirt and debris away from the base of a tree and sit. As the shadow of the tree moves so do you. In winter insulate yourself from the what ever it is you intend to sit or lay on. Even if it is in a shelter.
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