Has anyone on this list actually used a solar still...and been successful enough to actually get enough fresh water to meet the needs of one human being? I have a feeling that to do that is very hard...and the amount of water you sweat off may be more than the harvest. Mike Orchard > Big international-orange plastic bag. They are easier to find in the > US and Britain than in Canada and have handy instructions on them on > how to use them for rescue. You can inflate them (with help from the > wind) and you have a big flotation aid as well as very visible > object. You can get in it for warmth (including an emergency bivi). > Stretch it over a pit to make a solar still for drinking water etc. > Does everything but walk the dog. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Has anyone on this list actually used a solar still...and been successful > enough to actually get enough fresh water to meet the needs of one human > being? I haven't, and researched a lot, and finally bought old PUR-06 desalinator for $150 on e-Bay. As a back-up, of course. It is strenuous 3.5 hour pumping every day to provide 4 liters of water for all normal needs, including toothbrushing. But result is guranteed. 15-20 minutes will make a cup of tea. PVC foldable solar stills are $50 or 60 on e-Bay, have about the volume as PUR-06 and weigh not much less. >I have a feeling that to do that is very hard.... It says "2.5 liters a day" on that commercial item, as I recall. Not enough for everyday needs, and this numbers are for clear sky. >and the amount of > water you sweat off may be more than the harvest Guys done such tests. From 5 or 6 holes digged and covered with clear plastic (hole volume similar to those commercial stills) 2 didn't provide any water (no sea water to evaporate, this was a desert test). 3 other gave very little water, extracted from soil and air - don't remember, less than 4 liters in total. Nothing prevents you from keeping a small trowel and clear plastic and trying, if you would have to. With a sea water to evaporate it should provide 4 liters from 3 or 4 holes in a sunny day. But with a sea water PUR-06 will do this as well, and in any weather. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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