How to use Kaktus
Kaktus is very easy to use. We've put together some step-by-step instructions for Rainwater and Plant water collection, and a guide to constructing a Solar Still. If you have any questions about any of these proceedures please contact us.
Take a look at the new videos on the right to see the Kaktus in action.
Rainwater Collection
Follow the steps below to collect rainwater using Kaktus.
You can suspend Kaktus from most structures using the bungees which are fastned to each eyelet located in all four corners of the Kaktus.
To extract the rain water from Kaktus so you can drink, insert the provided hose into the eyelet above the resevoir. You can drink right from the hose or siphon the water into the provided grip-seal bag.
Note
Alternatively, Kaktus can be layed on the ground as long as the open end is elevated. This allows the rain water to be collected in the gutter.
Vegitation Still
Below is a mothod of collecting drinkable water. Plants constantly respirate water vapor. The intent of this technique is to collect and condense plant-respirated water vapor. In essence, plant respirated water vapor may condense against a sealed Kaktus, then drain to the lowest point. This method is usefull as a survival skill or just an experiment to see what happens.
Encase a leafy branch of a growing plant within a plastic bag. Cover as much of the live plant as the bag can accommodate. Ensure that the plant is intact, alive and growing. Neither a dead plant, nor a dormant plant will respirate water vapor. With a severed branch, prospects of collecting water are limited, unless you are dealing with succulents such as cacti.
Secure the opening of the bag around the branch, stem or trunk. Make certain that the seal is as airtight as possible. For example, tie with the bungee over multiple layers of the plastic bag. Envision a living, leafy branch within an unpressurized, sealed balloon. This is your objective.
Ensure that a portion of the plastic bag is lower than the (hopefully) airtight seal. This is where the water will gather.
Ensure that the plastic bag and plant can bear the weight of any collected water.
Wait for approximately 4-5 hours. Depending on the type of plant, surface area of the enveloped leaves, local conditions and the air-tightness of your seal, there may be about 1 cup of water in the bag.
Plant water Collection Tips
Unlike photosynthesis, plant respiration does not depend on light: it occurs at night as well as during the day.
As long as water is collected regularly, and air within the bag refreshed, any likelihood of suffocating the plant is remote.
Don't tie the bag around the plant too tightly, or else it might kill the plant. But make sure that the seal is airtight.
Leaving the bag on overnight can allow for more water to be collected.
Do not use this technique with poisonous plants or flora with a waxy texture!
Be sure to boil all water collected!
Solar Still construction
The advantage of the Kaktus is that it can be on your person at all times which is essential for survival. Understanding the principles of the solar still will enable you to adapt to your situation. Construct your solar still in the lowest, dampest area you can find - in a vallery or at the bottom of a hill. This is where ground water accumulates and is the best place for gathering.
Dig a large hole in the ground, 2 feet deep and 2 feet in diameter. The idea is to dig down to damp soil.
View image
View image
View imageCover the hole with the Kaktus. Use the soil from the hole to weight the kaktus surrounding the hole, so that no air can escape. Make sure the free end of the plastic tubing is accessible.
View imageUse a small rock to weight the centre of the Kaktus down over the container, creating a cone over the small bag with the point pointing into the small bag.
View image
Understand that as the sun heats up the soil, moisture evaporates and condenses on the Kaktus. This condensed moisture drips to the lowest portion of the Kaktus and then drips off into the bag.
Drink from the bag by sucking on the tubing. That way you don't have to disassemble your still to get a drink.
View imageRealise that only pure water evaporates, so that in the evaporation process most of the impurities are left in the soil.
Purchase the Kaktus Kit - £20 + Postage
You can purchase a Kaktus Kit directly from us online. The Kaktus Kit includes everything you need to use the Kaktus for Rainwater collection, Plant water collection and Solar still construction.
The Kaktus Kit contains:
- The Kaktus
- Large bag - to be used for vegitation still
- Polythene sheet - to be used for solar still
- Grip seal bag - to be used as the water carrier
- Small bag - to be used as receptacle for the solar still
- Clear hose - used for drinking from Kaktus or siphone water into grip seal bag
- Bungees - for suspensing Kaktus and to tie the vegitation still bag around the the plant stem
- Staples - for solar still and rainwater collection
If you want to order a Kaktus please click on the relevant buy now button below and follow the on screen instructions.
Kaktus Spares
Follow the steps below to collect rainwater using Kaktus.
Bungies (4 Pack) £3.50
For general use
Day sack / Liner £4.50
Used to waterproof the contents of your backpack. Also used as a boyancy aid in river crossings.
Grip-seal bags x10 £1
For general use.
20ft Para cord £1.99
Used to lash shelters and other structures.