Water – Our Liquid Friend

Water is important to any survival situation. We need it in our daily lives and even more so in a disaster scenario. Please enjoy this collection of infographics that highlight all of the wonderful benefits that our liquid friend provides us.

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Water: Nature’s Cure-All?

Water: Nature's Cure All?

Water: Nature’s Cure-All?

Aside from quenching your thirst, drinking the right amount of water can benefit your overall health in countless other ways. From aiding weight loss to boosting productivity, let’s look at how water can improve your health.

We Are Water

… well, we’re mostly water.

60%

Proportion of water in adult human body (1)

How much water is in … (2, 3)

Blood: 92%

Brain: 73%

Heart: 73%

Lungs: 83%

Skin: 64%

Muscles: 79%

Kidneys: 79%

Bones: 31%

Nature’s Wonder Drug

Water’s basic functions include regulating body temperature, flushing waste and moving nutrients through our cells. But what can that mean for some of the most important illnesses and health issues? (4, 5, 6)

Aids digestion

60 million

Americans affected by digestive disorders (7)

Improves circulation

Helps create saliva

Reducing appetite

$60 billion

Annual U.S. consumer spending on weight loss efforts (8)

Providing fuel for muscles

Moisturizing skin

Clears skin of toxins

Facilitating kidney function

1 in 10

U.S. adults with some form of chronic kidney disease (9)

Boosts productivity and ramps up brain power

Preventing muscle cramps and strains

Prevents tiredness

30%

Adults who get less than 6 hours of sleep on the average night (9)

Relieving minor illnesses

Drinking It In

About 20% of our water intake comes from foods like fruits and vegetables. That means the rest comes from the beverages we drink. (4)

Good news, then, that water is the most popular beverage in the U.S., recently eclipsing soda for the top spot.

Average annual consumption in gallons (10)

Soda: 44

Water: 58
It’s not all plain water, though. Many Americans are getting their fill of water thanks in part to the myriad “flavored” waters on the market.

People who reported drinking any flavored water in the past week, in millions (11)

Spring 2010: 8.92

Autumn 2010: 8.57

Spring 2011: 8.69

Autumn 2011: 8.13

Spring 2012: 7.68

Autumn 2012: 8.07

Spring 2013: 8.96

1 in 5

U.S. households that buy bottled water and liquid flavor enhancers (12)

These enhancers often contain additives like salt, dyes and other chemicals. A better option is going natural. Don’t like the taste of water? Consider adding: (13, 14)

A few chunks of frozen fruit

Mint ice cubes

A slice of citrus

Mashed berries

Unsweetened fruit juice

Sliced cucumber

Source: Master-of-Health-Administration.com

Water: Nature's Cure All

Sources:
1. http://www.mayoclinic.org
2. http://water.usgs.gov
3. http://www.waterinfo.org
4. http://www.webmd.com
5. http://www.lhj.com
6. http://science.howstuffworks.com
7. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
8. http://money.usnews.com
9. http://www.cdc.gov
10. http://www.cbsnews.com
11. http://www.statista.com
12. http://abclocal.go.com
13. http://www.everydayhealth.com
14. http://www.shape.com

No Gutters On Your House – Create a “Drain Barrel” (Rainwater Collection System)

Gutterless Rain Barrel - a
 
 
 
 
 
This is a great idea for capturing rainwater for your home, garden or even at your bugout location. It comes in handy in places where you may not be able to tap a well or water source directly.
 
I wanted to share instructions on how to build a “drain barrel” for those of you who may not have gutters on your house.  This project is most useful for those of us who have a clearly-defined gouge in our wood chips where the water pours off the roof.
 

Step 1:

 
Purchase three cedar decking boards and screw them together in the shape of a trough. Seal all joined edges with a clear silicone caulk.
 
 

Step 2:

 
Obtain containers in which the capture the rainwater; it would be best to find containers with about a 2″ opening.
 
 

Step 3:

 
Line up the containers and measure the distance between the center of the containers’ openings. Leave about 1/2″ per container for expansion.  Measure the diameter of the container’s opening and use a hole saw (attached to the drill) to make holes in the trough.
 
 

Step 4:

 
Purchase a 10′ length of PVC pipe. It should be slightly less in diameter than your hole. Count the number of holes and divide evenly. Cut the PVC into equal lengths.  Purchase a narrowing PVC conduit to glue to the top of your pipes.  Drill two holes in the widest part of the conduit and use a miter saw to remove the material between the holes. This will make a slit to help drain the water into the pipe and ultimately into your container.
 
 

Step 5:

 
Construct some simple “feet” to attach to the ends of the trough. If you drill a hole in the middle of the end of the trough, you will be able to swivel the trough up-side-down on the lag bolt to prevent snow from weighing the trough down during the winter.  Dig a hole on both ends for the “feet”, level the trough, and add concrete to prevent the structure from moving during a hard rain.
 
 

Step 6:

 
Rake the area under the trough so that you can remove the containers easily. Insert the PVC pipe, and add metal menders if you like to ensure the container’s slit stays level with the trough. When it rains, the water will be directed from the trough, into the PVC pipe and then into your container.  When the container is full, lift the PVC pipe out of the mouth of the container, remove the container, and water your plants.  When the container is empty, put it back under the trough and slip the PVC pipe back down into the mouth of the container.  If you like, you can purchase a rain barrel with which to pour the full containers.
 
 
[source]