Try a plumbing specialty store, and ask for a *four-way.*
Posted on 03/29/2013 6:42:31 PM PDT by backwoods-engineer
Imagine this scenario: for whatever reason, you are bugging out, and have to travel through an urban or suburban area, or even along an interstate highway.
It's hot. Dang hot. And you need water. There's no streams or lakes or ponds nearby. Nothing is open, and there's no power to operate a soda machine, even if there was one around. You've got a container in your bug-out bag, but you need a source of clean water.
If there are buildings, there is water available everywhere, but without a special tool, you can't get it!
What are you talking about, Backwoods?
Ever seen these special faucets on the side of a convenience store or gas station, or other commercial building?
[picture of sillcock hydrant]
It's known as a keyed sillcock hydrant. They are everywhere in the suburban and urban environment. They're used by building maintenance people for connecting water hoses for washing sidewalks, etc. It's a good bet that almost all have good water in them 24/7/365, whether the business is open or not. Even with the power down, there's probably going to be some pressure left, which allows you to get some hydration.
I recently drove around in the medium-sized town a few miles from my place, with an eye toward spotting these. I spotted keyed hydrants at the following places:
But you need one of these special keys to open one:
[Picture of Wolverine PST154 Sillcock Key]
Without a sillcock key, it's going to be hard to get the water. Yeah, you could probably use the pliers on a Leatherman or Gerber tool, but why mess with all that? Just put one of these babies in your bugout bag.
And for $6.42 on Amazon.com, why not?
Throw this little 3-ounce key in your bugout bag, and wherever you see a commercial building, most likely you can get some water, in an emergency situation and businesses are closed.
I've got one of these in every bugout bag in every vehicle in my family. They may even be available from your local building supply store; I haven't checked.
Just a little survival tip from Ol' Backwoods.
Sure are.
Remember to look for the water heater in any building you gain entry to.
Remember to look for the water heater in any building you gain entry to.
Wolverines!
Word of friendly advice if this is your site. Monetize your links like this by creating an Amazon seller's account. I bet a lot of people are hitting that link now and buying it and you could be earning off every purchase simply by tweaking your link.
I don’t think you want to be doing that on my property.
FWIW, a properly sized 8 point socket or (probably) 12 point socket will work just fine.
Thats a very good point.
It's not a seller's account, it's an Amazon Associates Account
Yeah, can’t monetize Amazon, alas. Amazon will not accept affiliates in my state, due to taxation issues.
Problem is, there are multiple sizes of sillcock stems. Hence, the 4-way key. So, I carry a socket set in my BOB? Yeah, OK, I could see that, but the sillcock key makes more sense to me.
Your mileage may vary. Just a tip.
bttt
Yikes!
Try a plumbing specialty store, and ask for a *four-way.*
Thanks, archy! I have updated the post with your picture and suggestion.
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