Two other tips to go with this. First, line the well with small rocks so that you're not disturbing dirt every time you dip your cup in. Second, place a flat stone (or bark/plank) over the top of the well when not in use. Otherwise it will attract insects and animals (and the virus/bacteria they carry).
@Aniwayas Song That would work if you happen to keep a pipe in your pack. As for me if I had a can I think there'd be more value in it as a container than lining a coyote well.
@Aniwayas Song 4in thin wall PVC would be ideal for that. And typically they come in 10ft section. Theoretically: if you were in a “grid down” situation in a once populated area, you could potentially acquire some of the pipe. Cut it into small sections, and have multiple mini wells. The pipe is thin enough to manipulate with small hand tools. But is designed to be buried. A solid solution if you’re trying to find water, but cant start a fire, in attempts to “stealth camp”
In the UK and Ireland we called that a Gipsy well! In Ireland even as late as the mid 90's I knew people who still washed in these places. Even though they had a built in bathroom. I always find it interesting that there are people teaching the old skills because we have been talked into accepting 'convenience'. Good on you Dan, absolutely love your approach!
@@sebastianfinch6611 No slur intended. The old Romany Gipsies are a source of skills long forgotten in 'modern' life because of convenience . I learned much as a child due to a small encampment just a short walk from my home.
@@johnbaldwin143 Somebody's always gonna get offended nowadays 🙄. My dad has hilarious Gypsy stories from when they would breeze into his hometown back in the late 50s.
@@stanbrown915 The only one here who has clearly shown that he thinks “gipsy” is a slur is Sebastian Finch - the OP clearly is using it in the context of a well used by Gipsies, which apparently he has seen evidence of this technique still being used by said people. As so often in life, an accusation can be a confession.
@@sebastianfinch6611 in the U.S. "gipsy" is a term used to describe someone of nomadic lifestyle. I guess if you say the word as a means to degrade Romani people then yes, it would be a slur. I think that context is key here. In this sense there's no way to tell if the user is saying gipsy as a blanket statement for a race, or to describe nomadic action. But based on the context of the video we can safely assume this term is used to describe an action that would be performed by a nomad.
I live in the mountains- when we make a spring, we figure out where he underground spring is running and dig a coyote well so it fills it. Then we line the walls of the well with field rock cementing the cracks closed. This is the first in a series of catch tanks that will get larger and larger as you get closer to the house or wherever you're routing the water. Usually, we dig a coyote well for the first catch tank- then a water pipe takes it from the base of that well to a fifty-gallon drum downhill- which then feeds a 500-gallon plastic catch tank even further downhill. Once the 500-gallon tank is full- you've got enough pressure usually to push on to the house or wherever you're routing the water, which is also downhill- that's where the big 1000-gallon tank is. Usually here this is a 10-foot cubic hole dug in the ground by hand and then the bottom is poured with cement and the walls are cement block- then it's painted with a sealant. The walls stick up out of the ground about 3 feet and there's a low pitch "A" frame roof built over it- then a floating electric pump actually delivers the water to the home's filter system. Viola- free water, and it actually tastes amazing right out of the tap. It's not hard or overly soft- just right. One of the few things we can brag about in this region- we have fine water still.
@@subarcticelectronic9885 You either find a wet spot that never goes away, even when it hasn't rained in ages- or you simply see it running out of the ground. Most springs- once they near their destination- which is a creek/swamp area here- come to the surface.
@@subarcticelectronic9885 Sometimes- yes, other times you'll find there's no real stream- the water is just seeping in from all sides- good candidate for a well but, not a spring. It's a bit difficult to explain really- I look for a ridge first- then look at the flanks and you'll see arms coming off it- between those arms are canyons- or draws we call them here. In these draws is 9 times out of 10 where you'll find the springs. Think of it like this- it's a creek, underground- so look at the lay of the land and you'll see where a creek would be running if it were there- this is a good place to look.
Some years ago, I took a survival course to get some more skills for when I went backpacking. The instructor when it came to hydration and staying alive showed us how to dig this type of well and its uses. He also told us that when it comes to drinking untreated water that its "better to be carried out by two then carried out by six." That always stuck with me and when I do go backpacking, and really don't want to drink untreated water, I carry at least three ways to do it...a sawyer mini filter, stove to boil water and a small bottle of bleach ( visine size).
@@dean-isa-fool2191 What he meant was that it was better to be hauled out of some backcountry, sick from drinking untreated water on a stretcher by two then six carrying your casket because you died from dehydration.
Good trick, explained well. I lived in the mountains in the wilderness in the western U S for 9 1/2 years doing the mountain man thing when I was young. I did get mildly sick a few times for a week or so in the early years from drinking out of streams. However, I eventually got used to it and it stopped bothering me. I learned to drink from the smallest branch of the creek available. That seemed to eliminate problems for me.
I ran away from home when I was 12 and this is how I got my water that first day all day along a small stream in the woods. I saw it on an episode of survivorman and it stuck with me ever since.
1 other tip to help with boiling just in case all you have is that little cup. Dig a separate hole 2-3 feet away from that hole, line with clay, start a fire in it to harden clay, once clay is hard, clean hole out. Now you can transfer water into that bowl you just made and throw hot rocks heated in a fire directly into the water causing the water to boil. Once cooled, you can remove the rocks and drink safely. Great video.
I really like that tip! I just watched the Corporal's Corner video: "Solo Overnight With a DIY Pocket Survival Kit", where he lined a hole with aluminum foil and boiled water with hot rocks. Your tip provides a way to have a large water pot even if you don't have foil. Could maybe make portable clay containers, also. Thanks Casey Clark!
You can also use a bark container as well for holding water/hot rocks...Tom McElroy has a great two part video on survival for a week in Northeast with only a pocket knife where I learned this.
We used to do this as kids all the time, not knowing it was cleaning the water- it was just fun to watch it fill up. Great tip and thanks for sharing. Your videos are great and always add ideas to show my daughter when we are out in the woods.
I dug one of the years on a survival course down in the Ozarks late last year. The soil was extremely rocky and I tore the heck out of my fingertips, but got it dug with the use of a digging stick and fingers. It never did completely clear. Something to keep in mind. If you’re digging it next to a creek, and you get a rain storm and the creek overflows it’s bank, it is going to pollute your well. The water source I was using ran down from a cow pasture. Just something to be aware of.
I'm in south Texas and despite the winter cold blast we almost always are hot and short of water. Watching these bushcraft videos I always try to adapt them to our brush country. And when talking about survival, it's always going to start with water - finding, purifying it and carrying it. Spot on video as we head to warmer temps coming soon.
Good luck making a coyote well down here lol I'm also in south texas and a lot of these northern bushcraft is non applicable here. There's a reason they payed settlers to move here lol
In Louisiana myself. I don't think I could dig a hole without it filling with groundwater first, but in my area the groundwater is super clean anyway so this probably isn't an issue. The mud might be.
Great video as usual. Just a note on boiling water for disinfection, it really depends on the altitude. At sea level, water boils at 212F/100C, but at 10,000 ft, it’s 193F/89.5C. It’s not uncommon for people to contract things like amoeba while on high altitude expeditions. I’m not sure exactly what temperatures are considered fool proof for killing most microorganisms, but at least it’s worth noting that atmospheric pressure alters boiling temperature of water. I carry a Lifestraw in my car at all times for emergencies, but the soil filtration technique is a great addition. Another thing worth noting is that filtration does not work against anatoxins. For example, there are certain varieties of algae that are lethal, and that thrive even in rapids and streaming water. Even if you boil and/or filter water that is contaminated with those toxins, it’s going to be potentially deadly to drink it.
I've done zero research on this, but I'm a sous vide fan, and one of the benefits is that you can cook meats at a lower temperature for longer, and still kill the bacteria. Juicy, medium rare pork at a nice 135°f, perfectly safe. The math on that is temperature over time. You have to hit 165° if you're taking it off immediately, but if you can hold it at a lower temperature for longer, it'll still kill it. If that 193° isn't enough to kill amoeba, I would imagine that boiling for 10-20 minutes before cooling or cooking will eventually do the trick.
I learned to do this in low spots as a kid in Louisiana. The water table can be relatively close to the surface and this worked often. The problem with this method is that arsenic and heavy metals are still a problem even with this method. We were always taught to avoid using this close to a major water source as it could often stir up those contaminants that had been deposited by the water source. It can work great on small water sources that may be less likely to be contaminated. But the risk is worth it if dying of dehydration is the immediate problem.
I read of this years ago, it is fascinating to see it in action! The book said to scoop out the water from the hole as fast as you can until empty a couple times, then let it sit and settle.
As long as you're scooping more muddy water out than you're creating by scooping, sure. Personally I'd dig a bit wider than this demonstration for that exact reason, easier access to the goods without contamination; though lining the sides with stones could keep that from becoming an issue for a longer-term source.
Nope, no dehydration going on here. Have to say though unless I was really close to a spring or similar, I'd pretty much always want to boil or otherwise sterilise that. Never know what's died or shat upstream!
I'd probably use this more as an emergency water supply if I know it's going to rain and I don't have a lidded container. Another use for those trash bags.
I've spent an hour waiting for a little spring to fill my 1L bottle, but after I had a taste ( to prevent dehydration) and adding the purification tablet, it was fine, and I cooked my dinner water. I had an hour to rest as well ...
You know Dan, you, the corporal and several others will keep a lot of others alive when the SHTF. We thank you for caring enough to show your techniques for all to learn. It's just a real shame that many think it's a stupid way to waste time. But they'll play video games for hours.
It always amazes me what I learn from you. Some content simple to implement but the more involved subjects are presented so hands-on that it is easy to digest. Thank You.
When I was 15 I worked on a ranch. I was staying by myself in the bunkhouse which was 100-150 feet from the barn. There was a well with a handpump that came up in the bunkhouse kitchen, and that was the water I drank. Unfortunately I got hepatitis from that water which had apparently been contaminated by the barn. Filtering through soil, sand, or whatever removes particulates but not necessarily bacteria or viruses, and even if it looks clean it can make you sick. As you say, water may need to be boiled or otherwise disinfected. A coyote hole next to a stream has probably had all kinds of critters walking around and doing their business, maybe right where you dug your hole. Filtering the particulates is just the first step toward water purification. But if you're in dire need of hydration, drink anyway. And a coyote hole would make a great place to filter or dip your water from before boiling.
Good tips .. especially the one about dying from dehydration when water is available .. thanks. If in a bit of a rush, a cloth held over the neck of the water bottle / cup will keep the 'floaters' out. In the (hot .. dry) Southern African Bush, one would take water from whatever source that was available 😳 and boiling it not an option under the circumstances. Hence, the importance of Water Purification Tablets, Powered Drink Flavourings and 'Anti-Gyppo' Pills. Holding one's nose shut whilst drinking also helps .. Water Purification and Anti-Diarrhoea Tablets, to this day, 40 years later, still are part of my EDC.
A lake near me used to have a coyote well that was a good 5 feet deep and about 3 feet wide. It always had crystal clear water until a particularly torrential rainy season eroded the bank separating it from the rest of the lake. Interesting survival tip, very cool to know
I had a blessedly unique for the times, upbringing. And over the 30+yrs that I've been raising kids I've shared this technique verbally with them. Yes, they're all grown now...but I still made my youngest 2 watch this.. lol. I've never heard it called a coyote hole though. And I'm from Texas. But actually was shown this camping in Oklahoma as a child. How to spot springs on mountainsides..(ok...hills) Funny they admitted they didnt truly think I knew what I was talking about when I had told them about it. So thank you for sharing this. May they never NEED the knowledge. 😉
Good tip. A lot of the people on here have good suggestions and this does indeed works. It will save your life and should keep you from getting sick from water born pathogens.
I heard about this method, forgot about it and sorta imagined it a tad different. Very cool! I'm currently got the tools to distile salt water, but seeing how almost all sweet water rivers might have non visible signs of farming (biological and chemical), distilling sweet water might be the way to go, beside filtering and boiling. I'm aware though that distilled water might pose a health threat, if someone lives off that for several weeks without any food that nourishes the body with minerals n such. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. Whenever I'm in the outdoors, I always have at least one bandana and coffee filters. Your videos are always full of vital information for the outdoors person. Take care my friend. Be safe and healthy out there. 🤗
Great video. I noticed one issue I believe was left out -- pollution. Where I live there is a lot of contamination from mining, both historic and contemporary. This will poison the land adjacent to streams, and disruption of the substrate could be the source of contamination in the water. For short term survival, it's probably not that big a deal, but the digging itself can actually concentrate these contaminants at high levels within the coyote-well. For this reason I'm very cautious about where I would use this technique. Helps to know about mining history in your area, too.
Random constructive feedback - Please try to synch the volume of your intro cinematic with the audio of your voice in the video. It's always painful to bring volume up to hear your voice, get BLASTED by the intro audio and turn volume back down, and then increase volume again to continue listening. Other than that, your videos keep me hooked like nobody's business! Love the content!
Ha I did this just yesterday. I mean I did not need water. I was just testing the stream near the house. It is rather dried out now and I was testing to make sure it was still a water source even when dry. It is by the way.
I feel oposite of you guys. Old one was trying to be modern hip hop culture.. this one fits the theme better, but would go nice with some slow music to reflect the feeling of being in the woods
If you're not near a stream and have a plastic grocery bag you can make a solar still or use the bag to cover branches with green leaves on a tree. The leaves will "sweat" pure water inside the bag.
Yeah, multiple holes might gather more water since they'd be drawing from a wider area of the soil. Another trick, if you're worried about pollution in the soil, is to dig that hole, stretch plastic over it to create a solar still. Place a stone in the plastic, a container to catch the drip off the plastic and (to avoid interrupting the still process) a tube to suck the water out of the container. Of course that assumes you have all that stuff with you.
@coalcracker Bushcraft what about when you fear industrial pollutants/farming pollutants? Boiling won't help in that case....other than distillation; what would you do? If you had to do a distillation in the bush....how would you set that up?
This is also called: Egyptian Well (from biblical times). Back then, it was used after the “water was turned to blood” (remember the story?). I noticed a few comments suggesting a Grayl or Sawyer (which are viable options) but, mud & clay can plug a filter in no time. I know that this is a down-n-dirty technique, but how about using a Millbank bag or blue jeans to pre-filter? If this is to be a long term water solution, line it with rocks or limestone, make it larger in diameter (say, 5 gallon bucket size), insert said bucket with holes in the side, line the inside with filter media & cover with Gamma seal or regular lid?
Dan this could be one of your most viewed vids in the future. It's good! I expect Australian survey pioneers did this, apart from boiling water for tea in their Billy. (Billy Tea) 👍🇭🇲🐞
I grew up in Florida 70s through the 80s, we would go camping in the middle of nowhere a lot. One time someone didn't close the water container after using it :/ so in the morning, we didn't have any water and we were miles from any natural water and almost a day's walk back to the car. Now seeing Florida is very shallow in most parts, you can hit water 3 to 4 ft down. We dug a hole about 4 ft wide and dug down around 5 ft down. dug out a lot of mud to get there. we let it sit for an hour and were able to pull clean water once it settled. yes, we did boil it. It saved us from going back to the car and getting water. now, this is when groundwater was cleaner than it is now and didn't have all the chemicals in it like it does today. but it will still work, just make sure you boil it if you can.
Thank you VERY much for all this info (stuff for the toolbox), going through a load of your vids and learning a TONNE, I'll prob cut and paste this comment as I'm going through so many of them 😁, thnx again 😉
Can you make a some sort of clay bowl if you don't have a metal pot to boil water. Like fire up a clay bowl and then use it over the fire to bowl water... just a thought lmk what you think if you find the time.
Learned it in the army. Never thought you could teach that without screaming.
ha ha
This may surprise you, but many things can be taught without the use of screaming
Without the screaming, would you remember it though?
@@viciousKev fair enough faur enough
@@stef4981 its all to simulate stress, just for when they're in a battlefield.
Two other tips to go with this. First, line the well with small rocks so that you're not disturbing dirt every time you dip your cup in. Second, place a flat stone (or bark/plank) over the top of the well when not in use. Otherwise it will attract insects and animals (and the virus/bacteria they carry).
Pretty much make a mini midevil style water well
@Aniwayas Song That would work if you happen to keep a pipe in your pack. As for me if I had a can I think there'd be more value in it as a container than lining a coyote well.
@Aniwayas Song 4in thin wall PVC would be ideal for that.
And typically they come in 10ft section.
Theoretically: if you were in a “grid down” situation in a once populated area, you could potentially acquire some of the pipe. Cut it into small sections, and have multiple mini wells.
The pipe is thin enough to manipulate with small hand tools. But is designed to be buried.
A solid solution if you’re trying to find water, but cant start a fire, in attempts to “stealth camp”
Excellent point.
On point
Coffee filters in your pack are like gold.
Lots of uses so are spare socks
Coffee in my pack is like gold.
I hear ya on the GOLD COFFEE
Also dry them out and keep them for starting fires
Everything I carry in my pack is gold. Which is why my pack is so damn heavy. :D
In the UK and Ireland we called that a Gipsy well! In Ireland even as late as the mid 90's I knew people who still washed in these places. Even though they had a built in bathroom.
I always find it interesting that there are people teaching the old skills because we have been talked into accepting 'convenience'. Good on you Dan, absolutely love your approach!
ye see the diffences tween what yall call it and a coyote hole is we aint usin a slur
@@sebastianfinch6611 No slur intended. The old Romany Gipsies are a source of skills long forgotten in 'modern' life because of convenience .
I learned much as a child due to a small encampment just a short walk from my home.
@@johnbaldwin143 Somebody's always gonna get offended nowadays 🙄. My dad has hilarious
Gypsy stories from when they would breeze into his hometown back in the late 50s.
@@stanbrown915 The only one here who has clearly shown that he thinks “gipsy” is a slur is Sebastian Finch - the OP clearly is using it in the context of a well used by Gipsies, which apparently he has seen evidence of this technique still being used by said people. As so often in life, an accusation can be a confession.
@@sebastianfinch6611 in the U.S. "gipsy" is a term used to describe someone of nomadic lifestyle. I guess if you say the word as a means to degrade Romani people then yes, it would be a slur. I think that context is key here. In this sense there's no way to tell if the user is saying gipsy as a blanket statement for a race, or to describe nomadic action. But based on the context of the video we can safely assume this term is used to describe an action that would be performed by a nomad.
The best time to make water, is when you aren't thirsty.
Hydrate when you can, and don't ration water. If you're thirsty, drink.
Add some Old man's beard, make the hole wider and good in a pinch😎
Coincedently, thats also the best time to be drinking water.
@@Seth-mu3wo If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated.
You can't make water 😒
I live in the mountains- when we make a spring, we figure out where he underground spring is running and dig a coyote well so it fills it. Then we line the walls of the well with field rock cementing the cracks closed. This is the first in a series of catch tanks that will get larger and larger as you get closer to the house or wherever you're routing the water. Usually, we dig a coyote well for the first catch tank- then a water pipe takes it from the base of that well to a fifty-gallon drum downhill- which then feeds a 500-gallon plastic catch tank even further downhill. Once the 500-gallon tank is full- you've got enough pressure usually to push on to the house or wherever you're routing the water, which is also downhill- that's where the big 1000-gallon tank is. Usually here this is a 10-foot cubic hole dug in the ground by hand and then the bottom is poured with cement and the walls are cement block- then it's painted with a sealant. The walls stick up out of the ground about 3 feet and there's a low pitch "A" frame roof built over it- then a floating electric pump actually delivers the water to the home's filter system. Viola- free water, and it actually tastes amazing right out of the tap. It's not hard or overly soft- just right. One of the few things we can brag about in this region- we have fine water still.
@@subarcticelectronic9885 You either find a wet spot that never goes away, even when it hasn't rained in ages- or you simply see it running out of the ground. Most springs- once they near their destination- which is a creek/swamp area here- come to the surface.
@@subarcticelectronic9885 Sometimes- yes, other times you'll find there's no real stream- the water is just seeping in from all sides- good candidate for a well but, not a spring. It's a bit difficult to explain really- I look for a ridge first- then look at the flanks and you'll see arms coming off it- between those arms are canyons- or draws we call them here. In these draws is 9 times out of 10 where you'll find the springs. Think of it like this- it's a creek, underground- so look at the lay of the land and you'll see where a creek would be running if it were there- this is a good place to look.
Some years ago, I took a survival course to get some more skills for when I went backpacking. The instructor when it came to hydration and staying alive showed us how to dig this type of well and its uses. He also told us that when it comes to drinking untreated water that its "better to be carried out by two then carried out by six." That always stuck with me and when I do go backpacking, and really don't want to drink untreated water, I carry at least three ways to do it...a sawyer mini filter, stove to boil water and a small bottle of bleach ( visine size).
What does that mean?
@@dean-isa-fool2191 What he meant was that it was better to be hauled out of some backcountry, sick from drinking untreated water on a stretcher by two then six carrying your casket because you died from dehydration.
Iodine
Iodine
Ordered my sawyer mini today.
Good trick, explained well. I lived in the mountains in the wilderness in the western U S for 9 1/2 years doing the mountain man thing when I was young. I did get mildly sick a few times for a week or so in the early years from drinking out of streams. However, I eventually got used to it and it stopped bothering me. I learned to drink from the smallest branch of the creek available. That seemed to eliminate problems for me.
I ran away from home when I was 12 and this is how I got my water that first day all day along a small stream in the woods. I saw it on an episode of survivorman and it stuck with me ever since.
1 other tip to help with boiling just in case all you have is that little cup. Dig a separate hole 2-3 feet away from that hole, line with clay, start a fire in it to harden clay, once clay is hard, clean hole out. Now you can transfer water into that bowl you just made and throw hot rocks heated in a fire directly into the water causing the water to boil. Once cooled, you can remove the rocks and drink safely. Great video.
I really like that tip! I just watched the Corporal's Corner video: "Solo Overnight With a DIY Pocket Survival Kit", where he lined a hole with aluminum foil and boiled water with hot rocks. Your tip provides a way to have a large water pot even if you don't have foil. Could maybe make portable clay containers, also. Thanks Casey Clark!
You can also use a bark container as well for holding water/hot rocks...Tom McElroy has a great two part video on survival for a week in Northeast with only a pocket knife where I learned this.
We used to do this as kids all the time, not knowing it was cleaning the water- it was just fun to watch it fill up. Great tip and thanks for sharing. Your videos are great and always add ideas to show my daughter when we are out in the woods.
I dug one of the years on a survival course down in the Ozarks late last year. The soil was extremely rocky and I tore the heck out of my fingertips, but got it dug with the use of a digging stick and fingers. It never did completely clear.
Something to keep in mind. If you’re digging it next to a creek, and you get a rain storm and the creek overflows it’s bank, it is going to pollute your well. The water source I was using ran down from a cow pasture. Just something to be aware of.
I always dig my Coyote wells with an Acme rocket powered shovel.
HeeHeeeeheee 🤣🤣
I'm in south Texas and despite the winter cold blast we almost always are hot and short of water. Watching these bushcraft videos I always try to adapt them to our brush country. And when talking about survival, it's always going to start with water - finding, purifying it and carrying it. Spot on video as we head to warmer temps coming soon.
Good luck making a coyote well down here lol I'm also in south texas and a lot of these northern bushcraft is non applicable here. There's a reason they payed settlers to move here lol
In Louisiana myself. I don't think I could dig a hole without it filling with groundwater first, but in my area the groundwater is super clean anyway so this probably isn't an issue. The mud might be.
West Texas...no surface water. 100ft water table, I prey I don't ever have to do some of this.
Another Texan here, and yeah, I think I would die of dehydration just trying to dig through the rock hard soil lol
Great video as usual. Just a note on boiling water for disinfection, it really depends on the altitude. At sea level, water boils at 212F/100C, but at 10,000 ft, it’s 193F/89.5C. It’s not uncommon for people to contract things like amoeba while on high altitude expeditions. I’m not sure exactly what temperatures are considered fool proof for killing most microorganisms, but at least it’s worth noting that atmospheric pressure alters boiling temperature of water. I carry a Lifestraw in my car at all times for emergencies, but the soil filtration technique is a great addition. Another thing worth noting is that filtration does not work against anatoxins. For example, there are certain varieties of algae that are lethal, and that thrive even in rapids and streaming water. Even if you boil and/or filter water that is contaminated with those toxins, it’s going to be potentially deadly to drink it.
I've done zero research on this, but I'm a sous vide fan, and one of the benefits is that you can cook meats at a lower temperature for longer, and still kill the bacteria. Juicy, medium rare pork at a nice 135°f, perfectly safe.
The math on that is temperature over time. You have to hit 165° if you're taking it off immediately, but if you can hold it at a lower temperature for longer, it'll still kill it.
If that 193° isn't enough to kill amoeba, I would imagine that boiling for 10-20 minutes before cooling or cooking will eventually do the trick.
I learned to do this in low spots as a kid in Louisiana. The water table can be relatively close to the surface and this worked often. The problem with this method is that arsenic and heavy metals are still a problem even with this method. We were always taught to avoid using this close to a major water source as it could often stir up those contaminants that had been deposited by the water source. It can work great on small water sources that may be less likely to be contaminated. But the risk is worth it if dying of dehydration is the immediate problem.
I read of this years ago, it is fascinating to see it in action! The book said to scoop out the water from the hole as fast as you can until empty a couple times, then let it sit and settle.
As long as you're scooping more muddy water out than you're creating by scooping, sure. Personally I'd dig a bit wider than this demonstration for that exact reason, easier access to the goods without contamination; though lining the sides with stones could keep that from becoming an issue for a longer-term source.
"At the end of the day, don't become dehydrated and die." I like that advice. I sure hope we don't let him down.😎
Nope, no dehydration going on here.
Have to say though unless I was really close to a spring or similar, I'd pretty much always want to boil or otherwise sterilise that. Never know what's died or shat upstream!
Hay I made a coyote well at deer camp . I used a 3.5' long PVC pipe that I drilled holes in it . And we still filter & boil it to. Good video. 👍🏽🇺🇸
Have you tried alum from the spice rack? Some pinches of that will make the dirt clump and fall to the bottom.
Can also use be used with water and heat to chemically remove a steel bolt out of an aluminum hole. It is good stuff.
Love your truthful description of children learning by doing!
This is a new one: it should certainly be a viable option for drinking straight out of with a LifeStraw, or for other second-stage disinfection.
Chlorine drops or Sawyer for sure.
@@MrRourk More likely the sawyer: there are still particles to get out. But for me, the issue is that my friend has a Lifestraw.
I'd probably use this more as an emergency water supply if I know it's going to rain and I don't have a lidded container. Another use for those trash bags.
IF you had a life straw.... you could just collect the water straight from the source...
@@EC-dz4bq those life stats are but not good enough for me to risk If I can just boil water.
I've spent an hour waiting for a little spring to fill my 1L bottle, but after I had a taste ( to prevent dehydration) and adding the purification tablet, it was fine, and I cooked my dinner water. I had an hour to rest as well ...
You know Dan, you, the corporal and several others will keep a lot of others alive when the SHTF. We thank you for caring enough to show your techniques for all to learn.
It's just a real shame that many think it's a stupid way to waste time. But they'll play video games for hours.
Man I just love you. I'm learning and I'm feeling blessed that I found your videos.
It always amazes me what I learn from you. Some content simple to implement but the more involved subjects are presented so hands-on that it is easy to digest. Thank You.
This is such an invaluable tip. Like literally, could save your life so easily
Never heard of this before. Very cool! Could save a life
This is super insightful for here in the high desert of Colorado! There are times when the risk for fire is too high in places.
learned this from my scoutmaster in the early 80's, good for getting water out of a dry river bed.......
@Ray Kaihe totally prepared
@Ray Kaihe for? tallows good for burning, lards good for cooking...
@Ray Kaihe although both could be swapped...
You didn't drink it! ...Sorry, I couldn't resist! Good show, thanks for sharing!
I truly appreciate your videos and the education you give. Just so you know, your hard work to make youtube videos is much appreciated. Thank You!
When I was 15 I worked on a ranch. I was staying by myself in the bunkhouse which was 100-150 feet from the barn. There was a well with a handpump that came up in the bunkhouse kitchen, and that was the water I drank. Unfortunately I got hepatitis from that water which had apparently been contaminated by the barn. Filtering through soil, sand, or whatever removes particulates but not necessarily bacteria or viruses, and even if it looks clean it can make you sick. As you say, water may need to be boiled or otherwise disinfected. A coyote hole next to a stream has probably had all kinds of critters walking around and doing their business, maybe right where you dug your hole. Filtering the particulates is just the first step toward water purification. But if you're in dire need of hydration, drink anyway. And a coyote hole would make a great place to filter or dip your water from before boiling.
Good tips .. especially the one about dying from dehydration when water is available .. thanks.
If in a bit of a rush, a cloth held over the neck of the water bottle / cup will keep the 'floaters' out.
In the (hot .. dry) Southern African Bush, one would take water from whatever source that was available 😳 and boiling it not an option under the circumstances.
Hence, the importance of Water Purification Tablets, Powered Drink Flavourings and 'Anti-Gyppo' Pills. Holding one's nose shut whilst drinking also helps ..
Water Purification and Anti-Diarrhoea Tablets, to this day, 40 years later, still are part of my EDC.
Thanks for the great info. Love your videos.
I thoroughly enjoy your tips. Simple and to the point. Keep M coming.
A lake near me used to have a coyote well that was a good 5 feet deep and about 3 feet wide. It always had crystal clear water until a particularly torrential rainy season eroded the bank separating it from the rest of the lake.
Interesting survival tip, very cool to know
Thank you !! Learning more and more !!! My toolbox is never to full for another tool !!! Take care and stay safe my friend
I had a blessedly unique for the times, upbringing. And over the 30+yrs that I've been raising kids I've shared this technique verbally with them. Yes, they're all grown now...but I still made my youngest 2 watch this.. lol. I've never heard it called a coyote hole though. And I'm from Texas. But actually was shown this camping in Oklahoma as a child. How to spot springs on mountainsides..(ok...hills) Funny they admitted they didnt truly think I knew what I was talking about when I had told them about it. So thank you for sharing this. May they never NEED the knowledge. 😉
Good tip. A lot of the people on here have good suggestions and this does indeed works. It will save your life and should keep you from getting sick from water born pathogens.
Really good and fairly easy method if you have a stream nearby will this work for a lake or pond? Thanks for sharing this.
Better then dying of dehydration.....great advise
Between fireholes and water holes, your pretty much ready to roll.
Great vid!
I heard about this method, forgot about it and sorta imagined it a tad different. Very cool!
I'm currently got the tools to distile salt water, but seeing how almost all sweet water rivers might have non visible signs of farming (biological and chemical),
distilling sweet water might be the way to go, beside filtering and boiling. I'm aware though that distilled water might pose a health threat, if someone lives off that for several weeks without any food that nourishes the body with minerals n such. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
Another excellent teaching experience. Keep cracking!
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. Whenever I'm in the outdoors, I always have at least one bandana and coffee filters. Your videos are always full of vital information for the outdoors person.
Take care my friend. Be safe and healthy out there. 🤗
I thought you could drink straight from that stream where the water is moving fast is this at all right
Loved that, especially the part about the kids kicking dirt and it not getting clean!!!
You're a good captain
Great video. I noticed one issue I believe was left out -- pollution. Where I live there is a lot of contamination from mining, both historic and contemporary. This will poison the land adjacent to streams, and disruption of the substrate could be the source of contamination in the water. For short term survival, it's probably not that big a deal, but the digging itself can actually concentrate these contaminants at high levels within the coyote-well.
For this reason I'm very cautious about where I would use this technique. Helps to know about mining history in your area, too.
Random constructive feedback - Please try to synch the volume of your intro cinematic with the audio of your voice in the video. It's always painful to bring volume up to hear your voice, get BLASTED by the intro audio and turn volume back down, and then increase volume again to continue listening.
Other than that, your videos keep me hooked like nobody's business! Love the content!
Ha I did this just yesterday. I mean I did not need water. I was just testing the stream near the house. It is rather dried out now and I was testing to make sure it was still a water source even when dry. It is by the way.
I'm thinking that scraping away the leaves and surface dirt before digging, might be a good idea.
Excellent video! Thank you.
God bless you🕊️
Excellent presentation!
Yes sir 👍
Used to do this desert camping in washes that appear dried up
Did you actually get water out of those washes? I've wondered about that.
@@yeshuas5172 yes sir. Some would take all night but eventually would fill up. Some were shallow Some were neck deep before finding water 🤷♂️
@@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors Thanks, good to know. I love the desert.
This was a great skill to learn thank you! Absolute life saver in the bush. I cant wait to use it
the previous opening music was more atmospheric. Regards from Europe 🇵🇱
Tak jest!
Easier on the ears also.
True, i detest this new intro.
I feel oposite of you guys. Old one was trying to be modern hip hop culture.. this one fits the theme better, but would go nice with some slow music to reflect the feeling of being in the woods
@@General_Classic i agree the hiphop one totally didnt fit, and i hated it on him lol
Ah the good ol' Gypsy well. I've even seen this work in the desert in a dried out creek bed. 👍 it's a great trick to know!
Great video. Quick and to the point.
Dude! I'm missing the smooth jam soundtrack. 😁
Previous intro with the simple logo on a white background with the short piano track was much better.
@@samc12345 I like both. And I guess Dan needs a change after some time. :)
I like the new intro, but cut the volume down to the regular video audio levels.
Great to actually see "how" it should really be done!!!
Organic Experience...these are the only type of channels I sub to!
Great trick i love that cup to is it metal
Nice video Adan. Thanks. Going back to look for the one you did about the potty trench
I hope the intro music is experimental, I like the other better. Great content as always
Your channel rocks. Masterclasses. Thank you.
Hi Dan.. Thanks for that and sharing. ATB. Nigel
Like the new intro , I use that water method myself, thanks to the US Army .
Thanks for the video!
Nice tip I'll keep that in mind next time I'm out in the woods
Thanks for your time and Information!!!
Works much better/faster in sand, but you have to survive wherever you are. Good advice.
If you're not near a stream and have a plastic grocery bag you can make a solar still or use the bag to cover branches with green leaves on a tree. The leaves will "sweat" pure water inside the bag.
You can also use a bandana or shemagh or balaclava over the top of the cup or bottle to help get some of the smaller particulate out
Can a bigger group utilize this method by digging a bigger hole?
Or dig more holes😉
Yeah, multiple holes might gather more water since they'd be drawing from a wider area of the soil. Another trick, if you're worried about pollution in the soil, is to dig that hole, stretch plastic over it to create a solar still. Place a stone in the plastic, a container to catch the drip off the plastic and (to avoid interrupting the still process) a tube to suck the water out of the container. Of course that assumes you have all that stuff with you.
Thanks, Dan. Texas
@coalcracker Bushcraft what about when you fear industrial pollutants/farming pollutants? Boiling won't help in that case....other than distillation; what would you do? If you had to do a distillation in the bush....how would you set that up?
Nice vid and informative brings old school back to modern day. Thank you.👌
This is also called: Egyptian Well (from biblical times). Back then, it was used after the “water was turned to blood” (remember the story?). I noticed a few comments suggesting a Grayl or Sawyer (which are viable options) but, mud & clay can plug a filter in no time. I know that this is a down-n-dirty technique, but how about using a Millbank bag or blue jeans to pre-filter? If this is to be a long term water solution, line it with rocks or limestone, make it larger in diameter (say, 5 gallon bucket size), insert said bucket with holes in the side, line the inside with filter media & cover with Gamma seal or regular lid?
Dan this could be one of your most viewed vids in the future. It's good! I expect Australian survey pioneers did this, apart from boiling water for tea in their Billy. (Billy Tea) 👍🇭🇲🐞
Probably learnt if from the First Nation Australians, they’ve only been doing it for 4000 years!😉
@@clivenewton7609 It's closer to 60000 years but who's counting 😝
Any recommendations for filters or filter straws? All I know if is the lifestraw
Great tip, Dan. Thank you. Stay safe and stay cool
very cool. hope this helps someone somewhere someday!
I didn’t know I needed water to drink until I watched this
I have used this method several times and it is wonderful. Especially when I’m hunting.
Will this work with sand banks too?
Thanks for another great video! 🥾
So is there a Road Runner well that we can also dig?
I grew up in Florida 70s through the 80s, we would go camping in the middle of nowhere a lot. One time someone didn't close the water container after using it :/ so in the morning, we didn't have any water and we were miles from any natural water and almost a day's walk back to the car. Now seeing Florida is very shallow in most parts, you can hit water 3 to 4 ft down. We dug a hole about 4 ft wide and dug down around 5 ft down. dug out a lot of mud to get there. we let it sit for an hour and were able to pull clean water once it settled. yes, we did boil it. It saved us from going back to the car and getting water. now, this is when groundwater was cleaner than it is now and didn't have all the chemicals in it like it does today. but it will still work, just make sure you boil it if you can.
How would the coyote well work with brackish water? Would it work at all?
I learn something new every day! Thanks!
can you dig a channel to the stream? To help the process....?
could also insert into the coyote well a cup wrapped in a cloth to skim the surface water for additional filtration.
Coyote well awesome. New intro music 👍👍👍
Will that work against giardia?
Do the water straws work as well as boiling?
6 more ReFocus bands - perfect “thinking of you, now get thinking” gifts Dan - you guys Rock 💪👊
Great video. Wondering if you could do something with cedar trees. Not alot of pine trees in my area, a few but alot of cedar.
Great video
Thank you VERY much for all this info (stuff for the toolbox), going through a load of your vids and learning a TONNE, I'll prob cut and paste this comment as I'm going through so many of them 😁, thnx again 😉
Can you make a some sort of clay bowl if you don't have a metal pot to boil water. Like fire up a clay bowl and then use it over the fire to bowl water... just a thought lmk what you think if you find the time.