OAUSA Net - August 1, 2019 Water in WIlderness

[toms]

Safe drinking water is essential to human life. We use it for all kinds of things. Tonight, we plan to discuss types of water (rain, snow, lakes, springs, flash floods) Camping needs, other uses, transport, finding water in the outdoors, purification, medical risks, daily requirements, and desert requirements.

Please pick a topic or two and post your comments, pictures products, and graphs

Some facts
• Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface.
• 96.5% of the planet's crust water is found in seas and oceans,
• 1.7% in groundwater,
• 1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland,
• A small fraction in other large water bodies,
• and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of ice and liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation.
• Only 2.5% of this water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice (excepting ice in clouds) and groundwater.
• Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere,
• and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products. - Source Wikipedia

Water on Earth moves continually through the water cycle of evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration), condensation, precipitation, and runoff, usually reaching the sea. Evaporation and transpiration contribute to the precipitation over land.

The boiling point of water (and all other liquids) is dependent on the ambient pressure. For example, on the top of Mount Everest water boils at 68 °C (154 °F), compared to 100 °C (212 °F) at sea level at a similar latitude (since latitude modifies atmospheric pressure slightly).

Most known pure substances become denser as they cool, however water becomes less dense when it is cooled to its solid form, ice.

Water is the only substance occurring naturally in all three phases as solid, liquid, and gas on Earth's surface as a result causes transfers of heat between ocean and atmosphere.

How much water does a Hurricane Pick up?
The process by which a hurricane "picks up" water over the ocean is called evaporation. That is, heating by the sun makes saltwater warm enough that molecules of water leave the liquid state and become water vapor in the atmosphere. So the water in a hurricane is "fresh" water.
Evaporation of water at the sea surface is enhanced by a hurricane’s surface winds, which transport water vapor into the troposphere.
Even a relatively benign category 1 hurricane, like Isaac (2012), can cover a huge area; I've seen estimates of 108 billion pounds of fresh water which would come to roughly 13 billion gallons. that could be a bit on the low side. A solid hurricane can have tropical storm force winds (and presumably rainfall) extend well over a hundred miles from the eye; 4" of rain from a hurricane would be a reasonable minimum for the area being covered. Simple math, then, gives us 4" x 100 mi. radius (squared) x 3.14 (pi)... (okay, converting to metric for ease): .1m * 160,000m * 160,000m * 3.14 = 8,038,400,000 -- and that's in cubic meters, which, since we're roughing this, comes to about 8 billion tons in both metric and English. Or two trillion gallons. -source wiki

[toms]

Desert requirement

• A gallon a day
• The best place for water is in your body - don’t save for when you really need it.
• In general terms your body can only absorb 1 litter per hour. You can lose much more per hour under difficult conditions (physical activity, high heat)
• Thirst is not a reliable guide for your need for water. A person who uses thirst as a guide will drink only two-thirds of his daily water requirement. To prevent this "voluntary" dehydration, use the following guide:
• At temperatures below 100 degrees F, drink 0.5 liter of water every hour.
• At temperatures above 100 degrees F, drink 1 liter of water every hour.
• Drinking water at regular intervals helps your body remain cool and decreases sweating.
• Even when your water supply is low, sipping water constantly will keep your body cooler and reduce water loss through sweating.
• Conserve your fluids by reducing activity during the heat of day.
• Do not ration your water! If you try to ration water, you stand a good chance of becoming a heat casualty
• Conserve your sweat. Wear your clothes. Roll the sleeves down, cover your head, and protect your neck with a scarf or similar item.
o protect your body from hot-blowing winds and the direct rays of the sun.
o Your clothing will absorb your sweat, keeping it against your skin so that you gain its full cooling effect.
o By staying in the shade quietly, fully clothed, not talking, keeping your mouth closed, and breathing through your nose, your water requirement for survival drops dramatically.
• If water is scarce, do not eat. Food requires water for digestion; therefore, eating food will use water that you need for cooling.


o Contra is hyponatremia

Use a knot in a short rope to keep track of water consumption if you are in extreme temps or working hard in heat. (If you consistently use plastic water bottle, putting the caps in your pocket might be an alternate method to keep track.)
 

Desert Water Requirement.jpg (122.92 KiB) Viewed 937 times

25 c =77 F
30 c = 86 F
40.5 = 105 F
50 C = 122 F

[DaveK]

WATER IN THE OUTBACK

While the main focus of the net will be geared toward outdoor wilderness travel, everything that we discuss will also be fully applicable to regular camping, home use, emergency use and general preparedness uses. Water is one of the basic survival needs and any trip into remote locations must take this need into account. There are many things to consider in deciding how to be prepared, including the length of the trip, the availability of alternate water sources to replenish your supply, the types of contaminants you expect to encounter, the purposes for which water will be needed, how much extra water to carry for emergencies, and back up plans if your supply runs short.

We usually carry enough water to cover the anticipated length of the trip, but being well prepared means more than just bringing enough. In remote and sometimes hot locations, running out of water can be more than just a mere inconvenience. One of the ways to prepare for these unforeseen shortages is finding alternate sources of water, near your location. Often, this will mean a spring, stream, or even a seep.

All public lands in this great country are managed by some governmental agency. With this management responsibility comes the need for these agencies to have a certain familiarity with the land, and, In many cases, these "rangers" (or what ever they are called) have much more current knowledge of the area under their control than is contained in any website or literature. This often includes alternate water sources, such as piped in potable water that is not well known. Remember, springs, seeps and streams are often seasonal and getting the most current information can be critical. Don't overlook this important source of information.

While reliance on land managers knowledge is important, don't make the mistake of believing that they are "all knowing." Do yourself a favor and go one step further by getting a good USGS Topo map of the entire area you intend to visit. Although these maps were created years ago, many of the land features listed are still there today, including springs, water wells, and other possible sources of water. At the very least, use the information on the maps to question the rangers. Below is a sample of what you can find on these maps. This was a randomly selected portion of our recent trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and on this map are listed 10 different springs and one water well. Given the vast amount of land in this area, there are literally hundreds more.

Springs.JPG (772.44 KiB) Viewed 929 times

[DaveK]

WATER CONTAINERS

This post will deal mainly with the different types of water containers that you can use to transport water to your remote campsite. For our purposes, there are basically 2 types:

• Portable - either steel or plastic.

• Unique water carriers

Depending on how much space you have in (on on top of) a vehicle, there are quite a few options.

1. Jerry Style Cans

The most common water containers are patterned after the famous German Jerry can. There are several companies that either sell or make these cans and your selection will be purely a matter of personal choice. We've settled on two that have served our needs well. The picture below shows Jerry can style containers, two made by Sceptor ( http://civ.sceptermilitary.com/water_containers/ ), a surplus steel wide mouth can made for the German Military, and a military surplus can made by LCI. Note also that each container is marked as "water". Not a bad idea to help avoid mixing it up with a gas container.

Here is what Scepter says about their water cans:

Designed to preserve the quality of drinking water during storage and transportation
Manufactured from food grade material - will not add taste, odor, or chemicals to the water
Will not rust
Rugged and durable
Stackable

Steel German Military Surplus on the left and Scepter water can on the right

Jerry Can - Large Mouth.JPG (115.98 KiB) Viewed 929 times

LCI Military Surplus Water Can

LCI Water Cans.jpg (757.82 KiB) Viewed 929 times

Scepter 2.5 Gallon Water Can

Water Can 2.5 Gal.jpg (755.03 KiB) Viewed 929 times

Reliance also makes a "Jerry Can" style water container, called the Rhino Pak, that should meet the demands of rugged off-road travel. From their website:

This is HEAVY DUTY. The Rhino-Pak water container designed with extreme in mind. The super thick plastic walls make it the most puncture resistent 5.5 gallon (20L) water container out there. The premium spigot and vent cap make it leak-proof.

The side panels are designed so that the Rhino-Pak can nest into another Rhino-Pak, creating additional sturdiness when stores upright, or on its side.

At about $20.00 on Amazon, ( http://smile.amazon.com/Reliance-Rhino- ... =rhino+pak ) it is a great alternative to some of the more expensive brands!

Rhino Pak.jpg (178.91 KiB) Viewed 929 times

2. Plastic Cans

For a less expensive alternative, the Reliance company ( https://relianceoutdoors.com/products/hydration.html ) makes several water containers that come in many different sizes and shapes. In addition to the usual 7 and 5 gallon sizes, they make a space saving, rugged 2.5 gallon container which is perfect for use in the camp kitchen. At around $15 on Amazon ( http://smile.amazon.com/Reliance-Produc ... ak+2.5+gal ) it can be a terrific addition to your camping gear.

Aqua Pak 2.5 Gal..jpg (40.59 KiB) Viewed 929 times

3. Roto Pax

These cans are quite a departure from the standard Jerry Cans, but they are space efficient, well made in the USA, and reasonably priced, see: https://rotopax.com/2-gallon-water.html

This is what they say:

Roto-molded water can that is durable with thicker walls and stronger construction make it leak-proof along with a sure seal gasket to guarantee your spout wont leak or vibrate loose. Rotopax are the only EPA and CARB compliant containers available for sale in the United States. This is thanks to a patented three layer Roto-Molding process, along with specialty formulated plastic barrier material to meet the governments new extremely low permeability requirements.

From their website

RotoPax Water Can.png (135.7 KiB) Viewed 929 times

4. More Unique-ness

For those needing something a little different, consider the following sites:

• https://www.4wheelparts.com/b/exterior- ... /_/N-cm1wn

• https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/e ... s.html?p=2

• https://explorationoutfitters.com/colle ... er-storage

[KK6DYO]

HydroBlu Pressurized Jerry Can $125

Integrated pump pressurizes container allowing fast purification of water through integrated filter

• Holds 4 gallons
• Filters: 1) activated charcoal and 2) 0.1 micron hollow fiber membrane
• Removes chemicals, heavy metals, discoloration
• Removes 99.999% of all bacteria, such as E.coli, salmonella, and cholera
• Removes 99.999% of all protozoan cysts, including giardia, cryptosporidium and other protozoa
• Filter life up to 10,000 gallons
• Flow rate of 1 gallon in 3 minutes
• Virus protection with optional 0.02 Micron Hollow Fiber Filter

6943AF03-623B-4F5B-87AC-BAAF0A7EAB13.jpeg (483.33 KiB) Viewed 926 times

Optional shower / dishwashing attachment

5539A2A9-3A05-47F7-ABC0-82BC541B57EC.jpeg (48.76 KiB) Viewed 926 times

[DaveK]

WATER PURIFICATION

While we usually carry sufficient water to meet our camp needs, the well prepared traveler should always carry a means to purify water, should the need arise. The need to purify water applies to any wilderness water source. Vehicle dependent travel means that the water purifier must be portable, light weight, reasonably small, and stout enough to withstand the rough trail. Below are some examples of water purifiers that meet these requirements.

One note about water purifiers: Easy to use is best and get the most from your water purifier. Getting the most means that the device you select should have the greatest range of purification possible. Rarely will you know what types of contaminants will be present in the water sources you encounter, and having an adequate range of filtration will always be in your best interest.

Time to do your homework!


1. SAYCHELLE PUMP TO PURE(http://www.seychelle.com/buy#!/Pocket-P ... y=25953274 )

For about $80.00, from the company, it is a great way to insure safe drinking water. The Pump to Pure unit comes with some impressive performance stats (from their website).

Filters 200 gallons
Can be used with chlorinated water.
Can be used with outside water sources such as lakes, rivers, natural disasters, traveling around the world and used for water of unknown quality. (Not to be used with salt water.)
This unit is designed to work with any non-plumbed available water source.
Increases pH balance up to 9.5
Quick disconnect fittings are installed to allow quick adaptation.
The pump can also be used as shown with the Inline Supreme Filter.
Water that has passed through the system is potable to drink.
Pocket Pump 2 Pure Carrying Case included

The Pocket Pump 2 Pure uses Seychelle’s Exclusive (RAD/ADV/PH) Ionic-Adsorption Micro-Filtration Technology to eliminate or reduce up to 99.9999% of waterborne contamination such as:

Aesthetic - Unpleasant taste, odors, cloudiness, silt, sediment, Chlorine
Bacteriologicals - Harmful Virus, Bacteriological Pathogens, Cryptosporidium, Giardia
Chemicals - Toxic chemicals,Trihalomethanes, PCBs, PCEs, detergents, and pesticides (DDT).
Dissolved Solids - Heavy Metals, Aluminium, Asbestos, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium 6, Copper, Lead, and Mercury.
Reduces up to 90% of Fluoride.
Radiological – Gross Beta, Radon 222, Alpha Radium 226, Uranium, Plutonium, Cesium 134 and 137.
pH - Increases the alkalinity (pH) of drinking water

Saychelle Pump To Pure.jpg (85.52 KiB) Viewed 915 times

2. FIRST NEED XL ELITE ( https://generalecology.com/collections/ ... cts/322200 )

The First Need purifier also comes with impressive performance, but at a slightly higher cost than the Pump 2 Pure, at about $135.00, from the company. . From their website:

The First Need XL Elite portable Water Purification System uses General Ecology, Inc.’s propriety Structured Matrix™ technology to provide great tasting purified water without harmful chemicals or electrical connections. Structured Matrix technology has been independently tested and documented to meet the EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers against bacteria, cysts, and viruses.

Purifies water instantly
Removes: bacteria, cysts, giardia, crypto, viruses, particles, foul taste, odors, specific organic chemicals
Nominal Capacity — 180 gallons (1,440 pints)

First Need XL Elite.jpg (36.08 KiB) Viewed 915 times

3. KATADYN POCKET WATER FILTER (https://www.katadyn.com/us/us/470-80136 ... pocket_usa )

The Pocket Filter has become a classic, and for many good reasons. It comes with a 20 year warranty, it's made with extremely durable and robust components, and can filter 13,000 gallons of water on a single filter. It contains a cleanable ceramic 0.2 micron filter and is advertised as effective against bacteria and protozoa. In terms of its ruggedness and capabilities, it is one of the best. As with most products, quality comes at a price - around $325, on Amazon, ( http://smile.amazon.com/Katadyn-8013618 ... ter+filter ).

From the Katadyn website:

The tried and tested ceramic depth filter Katadyn Pocket removes bacteria, protozoa and other disease-causing agents. The microorganisms cannot pass through the pores of the filter ceramic (0.2 microns) because of their size (greater than 0.2 microns = 0.0002 mm).

Unlike disposable filters, the ceramic can be cleaned severall times - even in the field.

Quickness counts too with an output of 1 liter/minute through our silver-impregnated ceramic filter. The capacity is up to 50'000 liters, depending on the water quality.

Made from top-quality, durable materials and with a 20-year warranty.

The Pocket is suitable for the toughest of conditions and is the first choice for extreme adventurers. Decades of military and emergency professionals around the world have put their trust in the Pocket's ability to deliver water free of bacteria and protozoa

NOTE: It is not intended, by itself, to remove viruses. With the addition of other products from Katadyn, it will do so.

Pocket Purifier.jpeg (20.85 KiB) Viewed 914 times

4. AQUA SUN RESPONDER S ( http://www.aqua-sun-intl.com/responder-s-word.html )

For longer trips, extended emergency use, or significant preparedness considerations, there are some very impressive water purification units on the market. While at the upper limits of "reasonable size", the Aqua Sun unit can offer a larger group, on an extended trip, a reliable source of safe water. The unit comes in a "pelican" style case and is meant to be completely self contained. The solar powered unit comes with a UV light to kill viruses and bacteria and can produce up to a gallon per minute (100 gallons per day). The Responder S hits the scales at about 35 lbs, but given its capabilities, it can be the perfect choice for certain applications.

From the Aqua Sun Website

These Portable, Solar Battery / 12-volt Powered Water Purification Systems pull the water from the source and through a Sediment Pre-Filter. The water is then pushed through a Carbon Block Polishing Filter that has the capabilities of removing Giardia and Cryptosporidium Cysts, Entamoeba and Toxoplasma Cysts, Schistosomiasis, Herbicides, Pesticides, Trihalomethanes (THMs), certain Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), Chlorine and Chlorine By-Products, Sediment, Bad Taste, Odors, Color, Smell, and many other Harmful Chemicals and Contaminants down to a 0.5 micron. The polished filtered water is then channeled past an Ultraviolet Light Disinfecting Process that has the ability to kill Bacteria, Viruses, Typhoid Fever, Coliform, Dysentery, Cholera, Infectious Jaundice, Hepatitis and Influenza Virus, E-coli, Enteric Fever and many other unwanted microorganisms to a 99.999% purity.

Responder S.jpg (218.95 KiB) Viewed 912 times

4. STERI-PEN (http://www.steripen.com/classic3/ )

The Steri-Pen is a very small water treatment tool that is effective against microorganisms (eliminates bacteria, protozoa and viruses ), and is perfect for back packers and those who have very little room in the vehicle. The Steri-Pen uses UV radiation to disinfect water and it comes with a 40x40 micron pre-filter. Used in conjunction with the Pocket Filter, it can provide significant purification. UV lamp life is rated at 8,000 liters, which should be more than enough for a single trip!

From their website:

Steri-Pen.jpg (50.61 KiB) Viewed 912 times

[Voodoo Blue 57]

Below is a link to an Electrolyte Deficiencies causes and symptoms website. It's interesting that some of the electrolyte deficiencies symptoms are the same and dehydration. Just because you are drinking water doesn't mean you are not immune from getting sick. It's a good idea to read the label on the bottled water you are drinking and know what has been removed from the water during the filter process. It is always good practice to carry some drinks that include electrolytes.

Here is an except from the website.

https://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/ele ... iency.html

Causes of Deficiency

A deficiency in electrolytes is a mineral deficiency usually tied to dehydration, sweating, and or a bad diet. Rarer causes can be kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.

Most electrolyte problems involve deficiencies in sodium, potassium, or calcium.

Mild deficiency is usually caused by excess sweating. It can also be caused by vomiting or diarrhea, which depletes large quantities of fluids from your body.

More serious causes can be Addison’s disease, diabetes, heat exhaustion, heart disease, or kidney disease. Electrolyte deficiency can also be a by-product of cancer.



Symptoms of Deficiency

Mild symptoms of deficiency include:

Dizziness
Cramping
Weakness
Muscle Spasms
Nausea

[DaveK]

WATER RELATED GADGETS

Here are some convenient water related gadgets that make for a great camp:

1. Scepter water can nozzle http://lexingtoncontainercompanysonline ... ater-cans/

Scepter Dispensing Nozzle.jpg (36.79 KiB) Viewed 912 times

2. Partner Steel Wishy Washy https://partnersteel.com/camp-site

Wishy Washy Improved DTK.jpg (128.71 KiB) Viewed 912 times

3. Zodi hot water shower http://zodi.com/hot-showers/hot-tap-hp-shower

Zodi Hot Water Shower and Enclosure.JPG (237.86 KiB) Viewed 912 times

4. Water can with low mounted spigot https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/e ... h-tap.html

Front Runner Water Can.jpg (14.89 KiB) Viewed 912 times

5. Living Overland electric pump http://www.livingoverland.com/2013/08/1 ... epter.html

Electric Faucet.jpg (133.46 KiB) Viewed 912 times

6. JAGMTE Website (JAGMTE stands for, just a guy making things easier) https://jagmte.com/collections/scepter-mwc-accessories

There are several products that JAGMTE makes, all of which really do make using the Secpter (or LCI) water cans much easier. Quite worth a look. Here is one called the Self venting spigot:

JAGMTE Self Venting Spigot.jpg (107.56 KiB) Viewed 911 times

[toms]

Shower Set Up

This is my shower set up.

I heat the water with a single burner Zodi and just circulate it back into the same can it came out of until, I reach about 90- 95 degrees. On a warm day I might only heat to 80- 85. Water at 100- 110 might be too hot.
The tent makes a huge difference by cutting the wind out so the water does not need to be quite as hot.

Pett Shower Set up Lm r.jpg (317.31 KiB) Viewed 905 times

Close up view inside. The soap and shampoo go on the little step stool.
You can turn off the pump to soap up to save water but it is easier to let it run and stick the shower head back into the NATO can.
You need something to keep you out of the mud.

Pett Tent Lm.jpg (255.49 KiB) Viewed 905 times

I purchased a separate Zodi shower and pump that does not run thru the heater. Need to carry a extra set of batteries. When they get weak, they will not push the water up over your head.

Zodi Seperate Pump Lm.jpg (493.71 KiB) Viewed 907 times

[k9atk]

Please check inn
K9atk brian
K9fog trish
Kd0exi cheyenne
Kd0gpe austin
Thanks