A suggestion for water procurement.

[Tballetta]

Gathering water can sometimes be tricky at best. I have discovered an additional solution I think you might employ. I started packing one of those dried out super flat sponge thingys in my survival kit. You would be amazed at how much dew you can soak up with one of these things. I gathered a quart of good water in about 15 minutes with one. They don't take up any room they weigh nothing their super cheap and if water is not a problem they come in very handy for cleaning gear and body alike.

Try it you'll like it!!

 

[JD Mandrell]

I think Air Force Pilot Survival kits still come with one of those sponges.

Pilot Scott O'Grady talked of using one after being shot down in Bosnia.

http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/4HYO/Jun2101a.htm

"O'Grady said he learned to move very slowly, and only at night. With only a couple of days of emergency rations, he had to be careful with food and water. To survive, he collected rain water and water off leaves in a sponge."

 

[pict]

Dew collection is very effective... if you have dew. It isn't always a dependable source, but if there is dew it is very easy to collect sustainable amounts of water.

Do you have a source for those "dried out flat sponge thingies". I can't find them here in Brazil. I just use a clean cotton cloth. Mac

 

[on_the_edge]

Gathering water can sometimes be tricky at best. I have discovered an additional solution I think you might employ. I started packing one of those dried out super flat sponge thingys in my survival kit. You would be amazed at how much dew you can soak up with one of these things. I gathered a quart of good water in about 15 minutes with one. They don't take up any room they weigh nothing their super cheap and if water is not a problem they come in very handy for cleaning gear and body alike.

Try it you'll like it!!

Are you talking about some type of small chamois? Can you post a pic please?

 

[LHD]

A cheap 3x5 bright colored kitchen sponge works fine. If you can find it in drab colors its better. They come in 6 packs for $2.99 here. To prepare them get them wet and then smash them down with something waterproof. Putting them in a ziplock back and setting a couple dictionarys on top of it works great. When it dries it will be super flat and easily packable.

Make sure the one you gets doesnt have cleaner in it. Sometimes theyre full of disinfectant which could be bad or good.

 

[coote]

I'm pleased you mentioned the disinfectant LHD.

I get those synthetic sponges for wiping up in the kitchen, and some of them smell awful for the first few days until the chemicals they are impregnated with wash out of them. :barf:

I'd be cautious when selecting a sponge, although it is an excellent idea to have something like this to gather dew with.

These sponges seem to fall to bits after a while. I wonder if a cotton facecloth would have a longer life. It would certainly be less likely to contain chemicals.

 

[LHD]

I'm pleased you mentioned the disinfectant LHD.

I get those synthetic sponges for wiping up in the kitchen, and some of them smell awful for the first few days until the chemicals they are impregnated with wash out of them. :barf:

I'd be cautious when selecting a sponge, although it is an excellent idea to have something like this to gather dew with.

These sponges seem to fall to bits after a while. I wonder if a cotton facecloth would have a longer life. It would certainly be less likely to contain chemicals.

How often are you using them? For most the sponge would be emergency use only. Its small and when properly dried its even smaller. It goes in a pack easily and adds almost no weight. Its more along the lines of the airforce emergency pack than an everyday usage thing.

I believe its the best trade off of weight and effectiveness though it may not be a long term solution.