The 12 C’s of Survival Blog Series - Container

C #1: Container

Welcome to the first post in our 12 C’s of Survival series. Today we’re focusing on the foundational first C: Container.

When we talk about "container" in a survival context, we're not just referring to a vessel to carry water — it's about how you carry, store, and treat your drinking water in emergency situations. A single 16 oz bottle might suffice for a casual walk, but in a real survival scenario — like getting injured on a hike or enduring a

natural disaster — it's nowhere near enough.

How Much Water Do You Actually Need?

Let’s start with the basics. The minimum amount of water required for short-term survival in a temperate climate while at rest is about 1 liter per day. In hotter environments or when you’re physically active, that number can increase to 3–5 liters per day.

While it's technically possible to survive up to 3 days without water, you're likely to start experiencing significant mental and physical decline by day 2. That could severely affect your ability to move or find help.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, 80% of Search & Rescue operations resolve within 24–48 hours, which means you should aim to carry at a bare minimum 2–3 days'

worth of water — roughly 3 to 15 liters, depending on conditions and your activity level.

The Weight Factor

• 3 liters of water weighs around 6.6 lbs – a manageable load.

• 15 liters weighs about 33 lbs – much more demanding to carry, especially if you're injured or on foot.

That’s where the concept of a Container goes beyond just storage. You need a way to carry water and a strategy to obtain and purify it during an extended emergency.

Why You Should Never Drink Straight From the Source

Even the clearest mountain stream can harbor invisible threats. Wilderness water sources commonly contain:

1. Bacteria

• E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter

2. Protozoa

• Giardia lamblia (causes giardiasis)

• Cryptosporidium

3. Viruses

• Norovirus, Hepatitis A

4. Chemical Contaminants

• Heavy metals, pesticides, industrial runoff (less common but possible)

These can lead to severe stomach illness, dehydration, or worse. Always treat your water.

Water Treatment Options in the Field

1. Boiling

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.

• You’ll need a metal container (preferably stainless steel or titanium) and a heat source.

• Doesn’t remove sediment, so pre-filtering is ideal (we’ll cover this in a future post).

2. Filtration

• Look for filters with pore sizes <1 micron to block bacteria and protozoa.

• Popular brands: Sawyer, LifeStraw (I prefer Sawyer for reliability and versatility).

3. Chemical Treatment

• Chlorine Dioxide: Very effective, including against Cryptosporidium. Comes in tablets/drops. Wait time: 15–30 min (4 hrs for full crypto kill).

• Iodine: Kills most pathogens except Cryptosporidium. Wait: 30–60 min. Leaves a taste; not recommended for long-term or pregnant users.

• Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite): Emergency-only. Add 2–4 drops per liter. Wait: 30–60 min. Doesn’t kill Cryptosporidium. Use only plain, unscented bleach.

  • Note: Chemical treatments do not remove sediments - you will want to pre-filter whenever possible.

4. UV Light Purification

• UV devices like the SteriPEN destroy microorganisms’ DNA, preventing replication.

• Best used in clear water (UV can't penetrate murky water well).

• Quick and effective: stir for 45–90 seconds in 0.5–1 liter of water.

• Some UV tools are built into pump filters or solar-powered devices.

What Should You Pack for the “Container” C?

In my own kit, I follow a simple rule: redundancy. I like to have at least two reliable methods of water purification at all times.

Here’s what I recommend:

• A full 3-liter hydration bladder (e.g., Osprey)

• A 1-liter Nalgene with a nesting titanium or stainless steel cup

• A reliable filter (like Sawyer Mini)

• Chemical treatment tablets (like AquaTabs)

My personal setup: I carry a 3-liter Osprey bladder and a Titanium Grayl GeoPress — which combines a filter, purifier, and container in one — plus AquaTabs as a backup chemical treatment. This gives me three treatment options without adding a ton of weight, and it covers almost any situation.

Final Thoughts

Water is non-negotiable in survival. The "Container" isn’t just what you drink from — it’s your whole water strategy. You need to carry it, find it, and make it safe. Build a system that ensures you can do all three, and you’ll be far ahead of the curve when things go wrong.

Stay tuned for the next “C” in our survival series. In the meantime, stay hydrated — and stay prepared.

Next in the 12 C’s of Survival Series:

2. Calories (Food) In survival, your body becomes your engine — and engines need fuel. You might last weeks without food, but your strength, focus, and morale will suffer long before that. In the next post, we’ll cover compact, calorie-dense food options that are easy to pack, shelf-stable, and field-tested to keep you moving when it counts.

Stay tuned — and don’t pack your bag without this C.