Tag: Wilderness skills

Globally, at least 1.7 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces. This statistic underscores why the question, 'Are oasis safe to drink from?', is so vital for anyone traveling through arid regions. The deceptively clear water can harbor unseen dangers, from microscopic pathogens to high mineral content that can cause severe illness.

While many parts of the cattail plant are prized by foragers as a reliable food source, the brown, fibrous fluff from the mature seed head is a notable exception. This fluff is completely inedible and indigestible, possessing much more practical applications as an insulation material or fire starter than as a food source.