Panels for condensing water vapor into water

[eDJ_]

Smithsonian com featured this article regarding special panels developed for capturing water vapor in arid areas.  It may become an emerging technology for those in water scarce areas.

Story:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innov...pJobID=1004115137&spReportId=MTAwNDExNTEzNwS2

I'm not sure how large of a unit like this it would take to sustain a single person's needs when boondocking.
But in time these may become as common in "some areas" as Solar Panels.  For off grid this could answer some electric and water needs issues.

"Water Panels"

 

[WalkaboutTed]

I always wanted to go to Arrakis!

 

[DannyB1954]

If you have some plastic and are stranded in the desert, you can sometimes get water by digging a hole, put a cup in the bottom, and putting the plastic over the hole such that it drops down into the cup. At night the cool air will help condense any moisture that is in the ground onto the bottom side of the plastic where it will run down and fall into the cup. Don't plan on filling a canteen, but it might be enough to keep you alive.

The system that you posted has a unique situation. The clouds that pass through are very moist like fog, but it never rains there. Not that many places in the world like that. It is usually damp and it rains a lot, or the air is dry and it hardly ever rains. You can't extract water from dry air.

 

[SalsaDog]

You can extract clean, drinkable water from tree branches if they are around? This option produces more
water than the ground option. Use as large of a clear bag as possible. Ray Mears does an excellent example
of this procedure.

Instructable link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Extract-Clean-Drinkable-Water-From-Plants/?ALLSTEPS

 

[Treknik]

>You can extract clean, drinkable water from tree branches...

Here's a link to inexpensive suitable water collection bags:
http://www.gofastandlight.com/15-Mi...ollector-for-Survival/productinfo/SU-U-33GAL/

Interesting site for lightweight hiking gear etc. Checkout the tiny fishing rods.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you have some plastic and are stranded in the desert, you can sometimes get water by digging a hole,  put a cup in the bottom, and putting the plastic over the hole such that it drops down into the cup. At night the cool air will help condense any moisture that is in the ground onto the bottom side of the plastic where it will run down and fall into the cup. Don't plan on filling a canteen, but it might be enough to keep you alive.

In a genuine emergency situation, urinate into the hole before setting up the solar still.  It will recycle the water content from your urine while leaving behind in the dirt all the nasties your kidneys were filtering out of your body.

 

[TrainChaser]

And keep a piece of sheet plastic with you (and some cord) to collect rainwater if the opportunity arises.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

And keep a piece of sheet plastic with you (and some cord) to collect rainwater if the opportunity arises.

Another tip is to carry a foot or two of flexible tubing.  If there is water in cracks in the rock that is otherwise unreachable, it can be used as a straw to suck it out.

Of course, that means you will be drinking untreated water.  Modern medicine can pretty much cure everything you can catch by drinking untreated water, but it can't cure dead.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Don't forget about being able to give yourself non potable water enema's in REALLY dire situations.
http://www.exploretruenorth.com/reality-television-is-not-reality-part-ii/

Beats being dead though.

 

[TrainChaser]

You know the rule of PPPPPP, so keeping a carbon filter in your rig could prevent a trip to the ER. Even just keeping a bag of activated carbon (pet store/fish dept) handy could be a good thing.

If you could even make your own emergency carbon filter for filtering 'found' water, it might work okay, and wouldn't likely hurt. The perfectionists all say that you NEED real, commercial activated carbon for something like this. No, you don't. Regular non-toxic wood, burned to charcoal, will do just as well. It might not be as perfect, but it was used long before some company started making activated carbon and selling it for a good price. DO NOT USE CHARCOAL BRIQUETS.

If you know anything about BioChar/Terra Preta, you could go that route: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-BioChar-and-Terra-Preta/

If the found water has visible debris in it, filter it through a coffee filter or even an old t-shirt before you put it through the charcoal.

As ERLH said, it beats being dead.