Water

Even in cool weather you need two to four quarts of water a day. In the hot Arizona climate you need even more. Always have more water on hand than you think you will need. Have extra jugs of water in your vehicle, extra water at your camp, and carry extra water in your pack.

The best way to purify water is by boiling. In the desert you can use the transpiration bag method in addition to the solar still as methods to obtain emergency water. It is not advisable to try to obtain water from cactus. The pulpy flesh contains acids that will result in nausea and diarrhea further compounding dehydration.

To make a transpiration still use clear plastic trash bags wrapped around leafy tree or shrub branches where the sun will heat up the leaves and the plant expires moisture that is then captured inside the bag and pooled at the lower bag corner.

• This effort may not be very effective in producing enough drinkable water.
• It is more effective than the energy and sweat you expend in building a solar still.
• This is a desert state, so you should always carry more water than you think you need.
• Do not count on finding water on the landscape.