How+To+Find+Water(david)

(edited 1st time by D-d)
 * NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS PAGE!!***

__**General facts about water and dehydration**__
 * About 3/4 of the human body is water.
 * More than half a gallon of water is lost by sweating and urination.
 * Dehydration is an extreme loss of water in the body.
 * A few symptoms of dehydration might be: thirst, weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, and dark colored urine.

__**Finding water**__ As you can see, water is very important. Water can be usually found in places like valleys and low areas. Rainwater might be collected in narrow cracks in rocks. You can also identify sources of water by looking for places of green vegetation or patches. Animals, like birds, and insects will be usually staying close to a source of water.

__**Water contamination and water purification**__ Finding a source of water may not always be enough. Although water in most parts of the world is clean, water can carry bacteria, viruses, toxic chemicals, and parasitic worms. Toxic chemicals may include fertilizers from agricultural fields, weeds killer chemicals, and insect killing chemicals. A common parasite is Giardia lamblia, which is found worldwide and in every state in the United States. It can cause diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Water purification is very important. Filtering and boiling are some of the ways to treat suspected water. Filtering helps reduce particles and sediments (materials which settle at the bottom of a liquid). On how to make a filter see section making a sand water filter. Boiling water is a certain way of killing all microorganisms.

__**Making a sand water filter**__ To make a sand water filter you will need a container. You can use birch bark and make a cone out of it. Be sure to make a fairly small hole at the bottom and tie the cone with a rope. Fill the bottom of the cone with pebbles, some grass, or a cotton material. Next, you will need to add a layer of gravel so the sand doesn't get mixed with the filtered water. Lastly add some sand. Now you can add the water and catch it in another container at the bottom. You should see clear water and should filter it as much times as needed for it to be clear. Important! To make the water even more safe to drink, you might want to add a layer of crushed charcoal.

__**Resources:**__ Picture - http://www.howstuffworks.com/ Information - http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/index.html