Where to Defecate Outdoors
More Articles Related to HealthThe How to Shit Outdoors Series
How to Shit Outdoors IntroProper Outdoor Defecation
Where to Defecate Outdoors
Outdoor Defecation Techniques
Outdoor Defecation Considerations
In previous Survival Topic articles in the How to Shit Outdoors series we discussed how improperly disposed of human wastes lead to the spread of disease. Fecal contamination of water causes the demise of more people throughout the world than war, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction combined.
We also showed you how burying your feces is typically the best solution to prevent the spread of pathogens that lead to so much human misery in survival and emergency disaster situations.
This Survival Topic will show you the best places to defecate outdoors so that the chances of water contamination and the spread of disease are minimized.
How Far From Sensitive Features Should you Defecate?
Learning where to defecate is not difficult but it is the actual practice where people go astray and leads to the pollution of much of the available water supply throughout the world. Even people who know better are often too lazy to go far off the beaten path, which is why you must always consider any source of water as contaminated.
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Safe Areas for Human Waste On this map white areas represent a 200 foot buffer zone around areas sensitive to human fecal contamination |
Generally you should defecate at least 200 feet (about 60 meters) from:
- Any source of water including swamps, wet areas, vernal pools, puddles, streams, lakes, and ponds.
- Drinking water supplies including wells, hydrants, and buried water lines.
- Roads
- Trails made by humans and animals
- Campsites and other places of habitation.
How to Measure Defecation Distance
Assuming the average human pace is 5 feet in length (1.5 meters) that means walking at least 40-paces away from these features.
What is a “pace”? Paces are the traditional way to measure distances as you walk. Two steps is a pace, so as you are walking count each time your left foot strikes the ground. If you would rather count each step you take, then simply take 80-steps.
Once you arrive at a likely area to defecate, have a quick look around to be sure you really are at least 200 feet from any feature that could be adversely affected by your feces. Then use a stick or shovel to dig your hole prior to defecation as outlined in the Survival Topic on Proper Outdoor Defecation.
In the next Survival Topic in the How to Shit Outdoors series we will expose you to Outdoor Defecation Techniques you can use to help nature take its course when you feel the urge to defecate in the outdoors.
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