Water is an element essential for human survival, and during an emergency or disaster, clean drinking water may be scarce. Main water lines may be shut off during an incident or may be contaminated and therefore compromised. Prepare ahead of time by safely storing enough water for you and your family.
When preparing your survival kit, water should be one of your top priorities. Everyone’s water needs are different, varying by age, health, activity, and climate, but there are standard minimums that everyone needs to survive. Water can also be purified after an incident, however we’ll get back to that later.
A good rule of thumb when calculating the amount of water you should store is at least one gallon per person per day. So, if your family consists of three people and you’re looking to build a survival kit for one week, you’ll need at least 21 gallons of water. You should always keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your family.
Several factors will increase the amount of water a person may need. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children may require more water. Also, the more active a person is the more water they will need. Sick people or medical emergencies may require more water as well. It is a good idea to make space for extra water for the above situations, or for personal hygiene, cooking, or laundry.
Water should be stored in food-safe containers, plastic soda bottles, or store-bought (pre-packaged) sealed containers. Water Bricks are great because they can hold other things besides water like food or other essentials and they stack efficiently to maximize space. Thoroughly rinse any container with soap and water and be sure to rinse out any remaining soap residue before storing water. You can sanitize a container by adding 1 teaspoon of non-scented chlorine bleach to a quart of water, mixing it in the bottle and making sure it reaches every surface and rinsing the mixture out with clean water.
Aside from your kitchen sink, there are many water sources in and around your home from which to obtain water during an emergency.
– Check your freezer for melted ice cubes
– Liquid from canned fruits or vegetables
– From the water pipes – turn a faucet on to the highest setting to allow air to enter the pipes, and then drain water from the lowest faucet in the home
– Succulent plants and cacti store water inside themselves. Cut off the top and skin of a cactus and you can wring water out of the meat, or chew on succulent leaves. NOTE: Educate yourself on edible plants before eating or drinking from something you are unfamiliar with.
There are some water sources around your home to avoid because they are unsafe. Water from radiators, swimming pools, hot tubs, waterbeds, or toilet bowls or tanks could be riddled with bacteria, and could cause major health problems if ingested without treatment.
Treating water may be necessary if you run out of clean drinking water and find a questionable water source. Never drink water that you aren’t sure of, especially if it is visually contaminated (cloudy, oily, colored, odorous, etc.). There are several ways to treat contaminated water to remove possible germs and make it safe to drink. Combining methods may be the best way to ensure water is clean and safe.
Boiling – the most reliable treatment option. In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before drinking it.
Chlorine Bleach – Household non-scented liquid chlorine bleach can be used to kill microorganisms. Only use bleach that contains 5.25 to 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite, and when possible, use bleach from a new or recently opened container. Mix 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water, stir, and let sit for 30 minutes. The mixture should smell slightly like bleach. If no odor is present, repeat procedure and let stand for another 15 minutes. If there is still no odor, dispose of the water and find a new water source.
Distillation – this is the process of purifying water through condensation, which separates the water from microorganisms and any other contaminants such as salt, minerals, heavy metals, and chemicals that may be present. To collect the condensation, fill a large pot with a lid halfway with water. Tie a cup to the lid so that the cup hangs upright with the lid on the pot without hanging into the water. Bring the water to a boil with the cup hanging in the pot. The condensation will drip from the lid into the cup. Let the water in the cup cool before drinking. This can also be done with two cups and a clean rag or piece of cloth. Place one cup with water in it higher than the second, empty cup, with one end of the rag in the water in the cup and the other end hanging into the empty lower cup. The rag will transfer the water, without contaminants, into the empty cup. The “clean” water should still be boiled to ensure its cleanliness.
Water purification tablets, drops, and devices can be purchased from our website or any outdoor sporting goods store and most big box stores or camping stores. Always follow packaging instructions or contact the manufacturer if you have any questions (before an emergency strikes so you will be prepared when it does).
Water is necessary for survival and should be a priority when you are building your emergency kit. Unless professionally packaged and unopened, self-stored water should be rotated every six months. Allow people to drink and use water based on their needs, and only ration water if told to do so by authorities or if you are going through your supply at a much faster rate than anticipated. Every person should drink at least one quart of water per day to avoid dehydration. If a member of your party seems dehydrated, seek medical attention immediately. Be safe and reasonable with your water source, and remember that dehydration is much worse than being a little smelly.