Survival Basics: Water & Energy Sources for Survival

When it comes to survival–whether you’re simply testing your wilderness skills or you’ve found yourself in the midst of a natural disaster or an extended grid-down scenario–resourcefulness is everything. In addition to food and shelter, two things are critical: water and energy. Staying hydrated with clean drinking water is crucial to every one of your body’s functions, and energy is integral to staying warm, cooking food, and sometimes, signaling for help. 

At Patriot Pack, we’re committed to equipping patriots, survivalists, and outdoorsmen with top-notch gear; but great gear is only part of the equation. Below, we’ve put together a guide of everything you need to know about securing water and energy, so you’re always prepared.

Finding & Purifying Water

It’s no secret that water is a key element of health and survival. Dehydration can quickly become deadly in an emergency situation, so knowing where to source water and how to purify it can mean the difference between life and death.

Luckily, there are many natural water sources on your side in the wild, including:

• Flowing water: Look for clear, moving water in streams, rivers, and creeks. This is typically safer for consumption than stagnant water. 

• Rainwater: Collect rainwater in tarps, buckets, or natural rock formations. 

• Groundwater sources: If a spring or well is nearby, this is ideal. However, it’s important to take precautions before drinking groundwater. Avoid cloudy or bad-smelling water, as well as water with any sign of contamination. 

• Snow & ice: Melt snow or ice before drinking it to avoid lowering your body temperature. Fresh snowfall is typically the cleanest and safest.

After you source your water, purification is crucial. Even water that looks clear could pose a risk to your health and safety due to the potential of bacteria and parasites. 

Here are a few key purification methods: 

• Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. This is a tried and true, reliable method if you have access to heat! 

• Filtration systems: Having portable filters on hand can be key to safely consuming water. Options like LifeStraws and pump filters remove bacteria and sediment.

• Chemical treatments: Eliminate harmful microbes with Iodine tablets, chlorine drops, and UV purification.

• DIY purification: Don’t have filters or chemical treatments on hand? Options like solar stills, homemade sand-and-charcoal filters, and cloth filtration can work in emergencies.

Once you’ve sourced and purified your water, it’s important to store and conserve it for a lasting supply. You can store your water in BPA-free plastic jugs, stainless steel bottles, or collapsible water bladders. Be sure to rotate it every six months to prevent contamination, though. 

Additionally, being mindful of your water usage is paramount. Use water as sparingly as possible when it comes to cooking and hygiene, and do your best to avoid waste. 

Energy Sources for Survival

While the basic survival needs may come down to food, water, and shelter, energy is also paramount. Energy sources can provide warmth, help you prepare food, and can even aid in communication and navigation. We’ll dive into a few of the top ones below.

Fire

A fire can make all the difference when it comes to surviving in the winter, wilderness or an emergency situation. The best fire starting resources include dry wood, fatwood, tinder bundles, and fire-starting cubes. 

There are many other fire-starting tools worth carrying with you, including:

• Ferro rods: A reliable, all-weather tool that produces sparks when scraped with steel.

• Waterproof matches: Specially designed to stay lit even in wet or windy conditions.

• Lighters: Simple and convenient, but dependent on fuel supply and can fail in extreme cold.

It’s also a good idea to master the following methods:

• Magnesium Fire Starters: Shaving off magnesium and igniting it with a spark creates an intense flame.

• Fire Pistons: Uses air compression to ignite a small piece of tinder.

• Chemical Fire Starters: Combining potassium permanganate with glycerin or sugar can ignite a fire.

• Battery & Steel Wool: Touching steel wool to both ends of a battery creates an ignition spark.

• Primitive Methods: Bow drill, hand drill, or flint and steel require skill but can be lifesaving.

Solar Energy

The sun is on your side! By harnessing solar energy, you can ensure all of your essential devices work, even in the wild.

Consider carrying lightweight, foldable solar panels to charge radios, GPS devices, and flashlights. In addition to panels themselves, solar-powered gear–like flashlights, lanterns, and solar cookers–are fantastic, sustainable energy solutions that certainly come in handy in emergencies. 

Battery & Hand-Crank Power

When you’re in the wild or experiencing a lack of power for another reason, having battery and hand-crank gear on your side can be a game-changer. 

Having extra battery packs on hand for tools like flashlights, radios, and GPS devices is always a good way to stay prepared. Meanwhile, hand-crank tools (including radios and flashlights) work without batteries, ensuring you always have a way to communicate and access light. 

These backup energy sources can make or break your ability to stay informed, navigate safely, and even signal for help–and may ultimately be your key to survival. 

Patriot Pack Has Your Back

In addition to mastering the right skills and having the right knowledge, gearing up with the right tools so that you’re always prepared is highly important to your survival, whether you’re in the wild or navigating an unexpected emergency. 

You’ve got to have the right gear; That’s where Patriot Pack comes in. 

Patriot Pack delivers premium gear from trusted brands each month–so you can always stay prepared with us on your side.

Ready to gear up so you’re never caught off guard? Subscribe today.