[Paddlewise] Fresh Water

	I think there are basically two situations here:

	First priority is SURVIVAL.  If you need water to LIVE,  then obviously
you will use the method which is most suited to your environment.  That is,
if you are at sea, unable or unwilling  to get ashore, you will either have
an osmotic pump, or you will have the means to trap rain water,  which of
course presupposes you are in a climate where you can expect rain.  You
will have planned ahead.  We don't get much rain in this part of the world.
	If you are ashore you have a variety of methods at your disposal;  finding
friendly humans, finding a stream or, digging a seep,  trapping rainwater,
using your osmotic pump,  using plant life, [ bulbous tubers etc ] , or the
still as outlined by Hal.  I seem to recall John Dowd used a similar still
on his South American expedition, and  there is a photo of his still in his
book on long distance touring.
	Obviously all this means you are dressed for the occasion.  That is, you
have looked ahead,  prepared and practised with the appropriate kit.  For
example there is not much point trying to rely on a still when you are
unable or unwilling to either carry the appropriate amount of fuel, or
cannot expect to find  fuel [ firewood ] ashore.  I cannot ever envisage
myself in a situation where I have enough stove fuel to run a still,  so a
wood fire is the go.  Which means you carry the appropriate foul weather
fire lighting kit.  And so it goes. 

	The second scenario is NON EMERGENCY hydration.  A critical issue  of
course, because hydration quickly becomes dehydration.    We all know that
by the time your body is saying " I am thirsty" you are already mildly
dehydrated.
I belong to the school which says 'you cannot drink enough water'.  My
water consumption is easily one litre an hour under moderate exercise
conditions.  I carry lots of water because I paddle in the ocean in
temperate to sub tropical conditions.   And over the years, this old dog
has worked out that, psychologically,  a reliable water supply, is half the
mind game battle. And that is why I carry a manual osmosis pump as backup.

cheers,  peter rattenbury,  Oz 


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