Article : The desert is hot and dehydration can set in quickly. If you are stuck or stranded in the desert, you can use the sun to generate a sufficient amount of water for yourself. You will probably, however, lose more water perspiring while building the still than it will generate for you in the end. This article discusses the concept of a "Solar still", or distillery. It can be used to collect water from soil in any climate, given enough sunlight and existent soil moisture. Wilderness Survival.