How to Make Ocean Water Into Freshwater With a Plastic Raincoat, a Bucket & a Drinking Cup

Ocean water is not potable in its natural state, but salt water purifications methods make it safe for consumption. The power of evaporation and condensation transform salt water into drinking water using a device -- commonly known as a solar still -- built from common items. Knowing how to make a solar still might save your life in a survival situation.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Salt water
• Drinking cup
• Plastic raincoat
• Rocks

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Instructions

• 1

  Collect a bucket of saltwater. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the bucket. The hole needs to be wide enough to have the bucket set on one side. Dig the hole deep enough to hold the bucket, and allow 3 inches of clearance above its top rim.

• 2

  Place the bucket on the far side of the hole. Dig a small indentation in the center of the hole and set the drinking cup in it.

• 3

  Drape the body of your plastic raincoat over the hole, completely sealing off the opening. Avoid placing the arms of the raincoat in the hole.

• 4

  Anchor the raincoat to the ground by placing rocks around the perimeter of the hole. The seal must be air-tight. Set one rock in the center of the raincoat, directly over the drinking cup, to form the shape of a funnel.

• 5

  Wait for eight hours. Water evaporates from the bucket and and forms condensation on the raincoat. The funnel created by placing the rock in the center of the raincoat directs the water droplets to drip into the drinking cup. Fresh drinking water drips into the cup; the salt and impurities in the water remain in the bucket.