Jake Yarwood
Using a Transpiration Bag to collect drinking water. An especially suitable solution in arid regions. To start collecting water, locate a non-toxic tree or bush and choose a section that will get the most amount of sunlight throughout the day. Opt for the largest you can find, as the larger the plant the larger the root system, which is essentially where the water is coming from. After selecting the branch or group of branches you’ll use, give them a good shake and double check the spot you have identified is clean, free of insects, spider egg casings, mould, animal droppings and dirt. Proceed to bunch foliage together and carefully place a large and durable clear plastic bag over it. More foliage in the bag = more yield. However it’s about balance, if there is too little foliage, you won’t get enough water; and if there is too much, you create a shaded environment and thus wont get enough water. You can weigh down the corner of the bag by placing a small rock inside, which gives the water a predetermined place to gather, alternatively you can wrap the outer corner of the bag with some cordage and tie it off some place below. Finally, secure the end of the bag with a piece of cloth, bandana or anything suitable you have on hand, and then wrap some kind of cordage around it, this ensures an air tight seal. Once secured, try lightly compressing the bag and this will tell you if the seal is air tight or not. If possible, proceed to place more transpiration bags around your camp to maximise your chances of getting enough drinking water. Collecting water in this way requires very little energy and time, enabling you to do other things around camp. Check back on the bag(s) every 4 hours or so if it’s a clear and sunny day. It is possible to get up to 250ml in this amount of time if it’s hot out, and 900ml from a single bag during the course of a day is attainable in optimal conditions. When plants transpire, they generally produce clean water, but if possible, purify if you can.
Jake Yarwood
