Imagine you’re in the middle of a jungle, following a map or compass, and you get lost, or your plane crashes in the middle of the forest. The primary goal in both circumstances is to find water first. You can go longer without food than you can without water. These are some of the things you must do in order to survive in the jungle. For the time being, forget about your card holder because you won’t be able to use it to buy a bottle of water anyplace in the jungle. And one good question comes to your mind: Can you drink rain water in the jungle?
Can you drink rain water in the jungle?
While you can’t drink rain water directly, you still need rainfall to collect water in order to survive. Make a funnel out of huge leaves to gather rain. Bending bamboo stems allows water stored in compartments to flow into a container. They can also be separated along a line running along the stem and used as a water bottle.
You can also explore for natural lakes formed by rock formations that collect rainfall. It’s better to do this after a recent rainstorm to avoid standing pools of water that may be infected with bacteria. So wait until the rain has ceased. If you don’t have a water bottle, a coconut shell or a piece of wood cut into the shape of a bowl can be used as a substitute. Keep these items outside when it rains so you can collect fresh water. Do not drink rainwater directly as it can contain harmful bacteria.
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You need to boil rain water
If you come across a flowing stream, do not drink the water since it may contain animal bacteria that can make you very sick. Always avoid drinking water from stationary puddles. The water is most likely filthy. Rainwater should be heated for the same reason. Remove any particles that may be making you sick with a sock, shirt, or other piece of material. Then, start a fire and boil the water to eliminate any germs that is causing your stomach pain. It’s fine if you don’t have a pan to boil water in, but if you can find one, you can use a metal container like a can. If you have a single wall stainless steel bottle sitting around, you can also use it.
Using the sun to obtain clean water. If you can’t construct a fire, dig a hole in a place that gets at least some direct sunshine to get pure water. You can only do this with sunshine. A night light is completely ineffective. Then, in the center, place a container, such as a water bottle or can. Fill the gap between the edges of the hole and the container with moist leaves. Place boulders or other heavy objects around the edges of a plastic sheet to keep it in place. Insert a tiny stone into the leaf’s center. Condensation will form on the underside of the sheet and drip into the container. As a container, you may use bamboo or a coconut shell.
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Even though water is abundant in most tropical areas, you may have difficulty finding it as a survivor. If you come upon water, it might not be safe to drink. Vines, roots, palm trees, and condensation are just a few of the various sources. Animals can occasionally be followed to water. Digging a hole in sandy soil about 1 meter from the bank will often yield practically clear water from dirty streams or lakes. Water will enter the hole. Any water acquired in this manner must be purified. It seems the air filtering is much easier than water filtering, thanks to the best air purifier.
Other ways to find water in the jungle
Animals as Signs of Water
Animals will frequently guide you to water. Most animals require water on a regular basis. Grazing animals like deer are never far from water and typically drink at dawn and twilight. Converging wildlife routes frequently lead to bodies of water. Carnivores (meat eaters) are not reliable water indicators. They receive moisture from the animals they feed and can go for long periods without water.
Birds can occasionally direct you to water. Grain eaters like finches and pigeons are always near water. They drink at sunrise and sunset. They are heading towards water when they fly straight and low. They are full when they return from the water and will fly from tree to tree, resting regularly. You should not rely on water birds to guide you to water. They can go great distances without stopping. Hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey consume liquids from their food; therefore cannot be used as a water indication.
Insects, particularly bees, can be useful indicators of water quality. Bees rarely travel further than 6 kilometers from their homes or colonies. In this range, they will likely have a water supply. Ants require water. An ant column climbing up a tree is heading to a little reservoir of trapped water. Such reservoirs can be found even in desert locations. Most flies, especially the European mason fly, which has an iridescent green body, stay within 100 meters of water. Human footprints will almost always lead to a well, bore hole, or soak. To prevent evaporation, it may be covered with scrub or pebbles. After usage, replace the cover.
Water from Plants
Vines
Water can be obtained from vines with rough bark and shoots about 5 centimeters thick. You must discover via trial and error which vines contain water, as not all contain drinkable water. Some species may even contain deadly sap. When the toxic ones are cut, they exude a sticky, milky fluid. Non-poisonous vines will produce a clear liquid. Because certain vines cause skin discomfort when touched, let the liquid trickle into your mouth rather than putting your tongue to the vine. Use some sort of container if possible.
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Roots
Water tree, desert oak, and bloodwood have roots near the surface in Australia. Remove the roots from the earth and cut them into 30-centimeter lengths. Suck the moisture out of the bark, or shave the root to a pulp and squeeze it over your tongue.
Palm Trees
Buri, coconut, and nipa palms all provide a sweet fluid that is delicious to drink. Bend a flowering stalk of one of these palms downward and cut off the tip to collect the liquid. The flow will renew if you cut a thin slice off the stalk every 12 hours, allowing you to collect up to a liter every day. Nipa palm shoots sprout from the ground, allowing you to work at ground level. Other species’ mature trees may require climbing to reach a flowering stalk. Coconut milk has a high water content, but mature nuts may contain a strong laxative. If you consume too much of this milk, you may lose more fluid than you consume.
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Water Produced by Condensation
Digging for water-containing roots often takes too much effort. Allowing a plant to produce water in the form of condensation may be more convenient. When you tie a clear plastic bag around a green, leafy branch, the water in the leaves evaporates and condenses in the bag. Condensation will also result from placing cut vegetation in a plastic bag. A solar still is a setup like this.