Hunting is a great way to experience the outdoors, but if something goes wrong, you may be experiencing the outdoors more than you intended. Copper Ridge Outdoors wants every hunting trip to be the best one yet, which is why we offer equipment like high-quality hunting platforms and share advice on how to stay safe and hunt successfully. In the first post of this series, we talked about how to navigate in the wilderness. In today’s post, we’ll be covering a far more important topic: how to find and purify water. Keep reading for important survival techniques and then explore Copper Ridge Outdoors for hunting equipment you can trust.
Find Water
Water is essential to life in all its forms, and we are no exception. While humans can go weeks without food, we can only survive for about three days without water. If you are lost in the wilderness, one of the most important steps you need to take is to find water in some form. If you are hunting and have chosen a spot that is popular with the local wildlife, there is likely water nearby. Look for areas that are particularly flush with greenery or water-loving plants.
Think Before You Drink
Even if you find a stream that runs fast and clear, that doesn’t mean the water is clean. There can be contaminants upstream, like feces or dead animals, and there are microscopic dangers you can’t spot with the naked eye. Waterborne bacteria, at best, can make things unpleasant. At worst, they can put you in even more danger. If at all possible, you should purify any water you find before drinking it.
Purify Water
There are a few ways you can make water safe to drink.
Boil It
The purifying technique most of us are probably familiar with is boiling the water you find. Boiling won’t necessarily address any forms of chemical pollution in the water, but it is a good way to kill off harmful organisms. Play it safe and make sure the water reaches a rolling boil for several minutes. Five minutes at a boil will likely kill most harmful organisms, but let it boil for ten minutes if possible to be safe.
Filtration or Purification Tablets
An easy way to stay safe is to come prepared. Pack a filtration system with your hunting gear or carry a few purification tablets in case you ever find yourself in this situation. Modern filtration systems come in many forms, whether it’s a pump or a deceptively simple straw, but they don’t necessarily filter out everything. If you pack a form of water filtration, make sure you are familiar with the instructions and the system’s limitations. Purification tablets are another option and while they are typically very effective, they take time to work and can leave a lingering taste in the water. They also have a limited shelf life. Check the expiration date on your purification tablets before packing them.
If You Can't Purify Your Water...
If your options are limited and you have to choose between drinking brackish water or succumbing to dehydration, you should drink. Try to find better options if you can. Fast moving water is better than stagnant lakes and ponds, and the further upstream you go, the further you get from possible contaminants. Fresh rain and snow are your best bet for safe, unpurified water if you can find a way to collect it.
As always, the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead. Even if you are confident that you will end your hunt successfully with a cold beer in hand, having purification tablets or a filtration system on hand is a simple way to be prepared. They are typically lightweight and don’t take up much space. Having an easy and trustworthy way to purify water can make a big difference if something unexpected happens.
Keep watching this blog for more survival tips and come to Copper Ridge Outdoors when you need high-quality hunting equipment. Whether you’re looking for a hunting ladder or a comfortable two-man deer stand, we have what you need. Explore our collection of outdoor hunting gear today!