X 



(^ 



Figure 6-9. — Polar bear liver is poisonous! 



aid. All of this must be droppable,, if air search is contemplated. 

 Once contact has been made, any injured or sick should be given 

 first aid, and then evacuation performed as quickly as possible. 



SOURCES OF WATER 



Water in some form is universally present throughout the Arc- 

 tic. There are innumerable lakes, rivers, and streams, which offer 

 a safe potable supply for emergency use. Once these sources are 

 frozen, the melting of snow or ice will be indicated. Volume for 

 volume, ice is the best source, when obtainable, because of its 

 greater specific gravity. Water may be obtained by the expedient 

 of chopping through the ice over streams or lakes, but the diffi- 

 culty involved does not ordinarily lend itself to emergency use. 



When melting snow or ice, one must always remember to have 

 a little water at the bottom of the utensil used for melting, other- 

 wise the metal of the container may be melted through. 



Eating unmelted snow is usually an unsatisfactory and unsafe 

 method of allaying one's thirst. 



At large installations, once water is obtained, the methods of 

 purification are identical to those used elsewhere. 



192 



