The Freedom Herald

Purifying Water

Why Water is absolutely necessary for human survival. At the same time water can contain many dangerous pathogens. 

How
  • Boiling - will sterilize the water by killing bacteria in the water. If you collect the steam it will have less of a chance of carrying chemicals. By using a lower temperature less chemicals will rise with the steam. The water doesn't even have to boil if you are collecting the evaporating water.
  • Rain water, melted snow, and new dew are usually safe. Rain water can be collected from run off from tents and or homes, although for drinking I would recommend purifying the water first.
  • Water purification tablets.
  • Water purification pumps. Try to use water that is already clear or do a pre-filtering with a cloth to remove dirt for better taste and a lower likelihood of clogging your filters.
  • Solar stills can be used either built into the ground or using a container in a sunny location.
Built into the ground all that is required is a piece of clean plastic to cover the hole, a catch basin and a long tube if possible. The sunnier the location the more water will accumulate on the bottom side of the plastic. You would place you catch basin in the hole cover it with the plastic and place a small stone directly above the catch basin. You then place the tube in the catch basin and drink through the tube. If the soil is somewhat dry or you want to increase the production of water you can add moist plant matter or water that you would not want to drink directly including salt water and urine. Be extremely careful to keep your catch basin clean on the inside. Salt water should never be ingested and urine can be, I don't recommend it but you can get away with it for a while in an emergency.

If you use a container as a solar still it works almost the same as above with the exception that you must put liquids in the outer container to create the drinking water. After that it is the same. If you use a clearer outer container it can speed up production of drinking water. Mirrors can also be used to increase the amount of light getting to the water that you are trying to evaporate. Keep in mind that you are not trying to boil the water as that can increase the chemicals that evaporate with the water.

Gathering Edibles

Gathering Edibles

Depending on your location in the country or world, many types of food could already be available in your surroundings depending on the time of the year.

Since the purpose of this book is self reliance lets operate with the idea of having a permanent connection to your land and surrounding area. As you look at the location you are living in. You need to keep your eyes open on a weekly basis. New types of fruit and vegetable can make themselves available to you as the seasons progress. Marking on a calendar when and where you harvested will keep you prepared for next year.

You must avoid the tendancy to over exploit any one food. This leads to stomach upset very quickly and a poor diet will create health issues as time progresses. Their have been times when I paid the price for too many green apples or too much yellow wood sorrel.

The list of edibles is incredibly long: Yellow Wood Sorrel, Apples and Crab apples, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, wild carrots, grapes, and currants are just some of my favorites from my area. Other areas that I have been in offer; coconuts, mango, banana, paw paw, bamboo and sea weed. Exploration of your area is the only way to get a full knowledge of what is available to you.

Even the smallest amount of care for these wild plants will pay you back with large dividends. Remove weeds from around the plants, make sure they get some water in a dry spell and pruning fruiting trees as needed are all quick easy methods of improving your harvest.

Best simple survival kit

Basic emergency kit
- 2L of water per person per day.
- At least 3 days of canned, dried food. High cal granola bars and candy.
- Blankets or sleeping bags.
- Flashlights and tons of extra batteries.
- FM/AM radio
- Matches and something to use as a fire starter
- Med kit and iodine for the water.
- Dust masks
- Candles, matches
- Canned gas (I’ve been wondering if this is such a good idea)
- Plastic to cover the windows
If you know any other things I should take into consideration please tell me. I would would appreciate it.
Magnesium Fire Starter
Water Purification Tablets (100 gallons worth)
Signal Mirror
Emegency Wind Storm Whistle
Compass
(12) pr of waterproof seal skin socks
(4) bottles of no rinse shampoo
(4) bottles of G.I. soap
Tube Tent
(4) Emergency Blankets
G.I. Deoderant (1 use lasts 14 days)
Cold Steel Trailsman Axe
Pocket "Chainsaw"
(6) 24 hour candles
Sog Multitool
Sog Tigershark Knife
Several face masks
(6) Rolls of Duct Tape
(12) Rolls of electrical tape
(2) 14x14 camo tarps
(3) 1 Gallon collapsable clear water jugs w/ handles
(2) G.I. Hammocks w/ insect guards
(4 or 5) bottles of Sunscreen w/ insect repellant
U.S. Edible Plants Identification cards
Outdoor Survival Guide
Binoculars 12x50
(4) Mess Kits
(1) Campers grill 12x20" ?
(2) cast irons pot sets