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The basic question of 'How to find fresh water to drink during wilderness survival' is better phrased as 'How do you avoid dehydration during a survival situation?' Minimizing the need for water does as much for staying hydrated as securing a source of fresh water.

Water to drink is an issue in any environment, not just during the summer or in a desert. High altitude and cold weather activity can both quickly suck water out of your body. In a survival situation this can be deadly. You must be aware of your environment so that you can react appropriately.

The first key is to limit your activity. If doing something is not going to help you get rescued or help you survive until you get rescued, it is a waste of energy and moisture. Which actions you want to pursue to get rescued will depend on the environment you are in.

When it comes to water, you will have two tasks: find it, and make it drinkable.

Finding water will range from simple to nearly impossible. In order of difficulty, here are multiple methods with notes about their use.

1. Fresh water pools and streams. If you are lucky enough to have one of these available, your concerns about dehydration will be minimal. Even if you do not have a method available to disinfect the water, drinking this is better than not drinking. Disinfect the water to eliminate pathogens if at all possible (iodine and chlorine are the most common chemical purifiers)

You can die in hours or days from dehydration. Most, not all, diseases you can get from fresh water will take a week or more to make you sick. That is enough time for you to be rescued and able to get medical treatment. (You did tell somebody where you were going, when you will be back, and what route you were taking, didn't you?)

2. Ice and snow. In colder environments where there will not be enough water vapor to make distilling effective, seeking frozen water will be more effective. Both snow and ice can be melted to produce fresh water. Warning: do not eat ice or snow - by the time you get enough moisture to effectively keep you hydrated, your body will be under a strong risk of hypothermia. Melt it first, then drink it.

3. Capture rainwater. When it rains, it is possible to get lots of clean water. If the rain is sufficiently strong, just setting containers out to catch the rain will be enough. Other times, a funnel made from a jacket or tarp can be used to collect water from a larger area and guide it into your water containers. This water is safe to drink, but is not

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