Learned it in the army. Never thought you could teach that without screaming.

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).

The best time to make water, is when you aren't thirsty.

Coffee filters in your pack are like gold.

I always dig my Coyote wells with an Acme rocket powered shovel.

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!

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.

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).

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.

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.

"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.😎

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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. 👍🏽🇺🇸

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.

learned this from my scoutmaster in the early 80's, good for getting water out of a dry river bed.......

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.

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!

Love your truthful description of children learning by doing!

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 ...

This is such an invaluable tip. Like literally, could save your life so easily

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.

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.

This was a great skill to learn thank you! Absolute life saver in the bush. I cant wait to use it

Have you tried alum from the spice rack? Some pinches of that will make the dirt clump and fall to the bottom.

Thank you !! Learning more and more !!! My toolbox is never to full for another tool !!! Take care and stay safe my friend

Man I just love you. I'm learning and I'm feeling blessed that I found your videos.

Another excellent teaching experience. Keep cracking!

I have used this method several times and it is wonderful. Especially when I’m hunting.

Dude! I'm missing the smooth jam soundtrack. 😁

the previous opening music was more atmospheric. Regards from Europe 🇵🇱

You didn't drink it! ...Sorry, I couldn't resist! Good show, thanks for sharing!

I thoroughly enjoy your tips. Simple and to the point. Keep M coming.

Great tip, Dan. Thank you. Stay safe and stay cool

Thanks Dan!

Excellent video! Thank you. God bless you🕊️

Thanks for the great info. Love your videos.

6 more ReFocus bands - perfect “thinking of you, now get thinking” gifts Dan - you guys Rock 💪👊

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 your time and Information!!!

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!

Awesome tip, Dan. Great tutorial as usual. Thanks!

I learn something new every day! Thanks!

Between fireholes and water holes, your pretty much ready to roll. Great vid!

Great video. Quick and to the point.

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. 😉

Nice tip I'll keep that in mind next time I'm out in the woods

Never heard of this before. Very cool! Could save a life

Great to actually see "how" it should really be done!!!

Excellent presentation!

Nice video Adan. Thanks. Going back to look for the one you did about the potty trench

That open is fire! Awesome job!

That's amazing. Thanks.

I also like the new camera angle, it feels more natural. Good video as usual!

Loved the last little quip in there. :)

You're a good captain

Thank you for the advice.

Well explained. Thanks for the helpful information.

Your channel rocks. Masterclasses. Thank you.

Thanks for another great video! 🥾

scooped a preorder! thank you!

Good ideal Dan

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.

Thanks, Dan. Texas

Loved that, especially the part about the kids kicking dirt and it not getting clean!!!

Thanks man.. That is sweet

Great video

Nice vid and informative brings old school back to modern day. Thank you.👌

Great information

Coyote well awesome. New intro music 👍👍👍

Thanks for the share!

Very cool!

Awesome video

Hi Dan.. Thanks for that and sharing. ATB. Nigel

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. 🤗

Like the new intro , I use that water method myself, thanks to the US Army . Thanks for the video!

Gooder. Thanks kindly for the info. Cheers

Thank you.

Thanks for this

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.

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 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!

Thank you for the video.

Awesome man! Pure Gold!

I like the new into.

Wow! Thank u for the video 👍

On a more relevant topic, I tried the coyote well today. Worked a treat, thanks bruv!

Thanks for the video. More info for the to fall back on.

Cool useful info. Thx.

Thank you my guy god bless

Thanks man!

Pretty cool. Thanks bro!

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?

Good thing to know.

Good stuff, as always! Thank you! :)

Nature's Millbank bag, great tip!