How to Take Water from the Air with Simple Machines

Experienced campers know that water is the most important resource out on the trail -- even more important than a tent. Without water, you won't last more than two or three days, but a time-honored survival technique known as a "solar still" employs a shovel -- the simplest of simple machines -- to generate fresh, drinkable water out of thin air.

Things You'll Need

  • 8-by-8 foot plastic tarp
  • Rocks
  • Shovel
  • Collection bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dig a concave hole about 4 feet across, making sure to dig deep enough to hit moist soil. About a yard of depth should do the trick.

    • 2

      In the center of the hole you just dug, dig another, smaller hole that's the same diameter as your collection bowl. Place the collection bowl in the small hole.

    • 3

      Place the tarp over the hole, anchoring it on all sides with rocks (or whatever heavy objects are available). Make sure there are no gaps through which evaporating water may escape.

    • 4

      Place a small rock in the center of the tarp so that it slopes downward toward the center at roughly a 45-degree angle. Make sure you place the rock directly over the collection bowl. Wait several hours; evaporating water from the earth will run down the side of the sheet and drip into the collection bowl underneath, producing about a quart of water per day.