1) One who has no water and knows that there is no water to be found within a Mil (2000 cubits which according to Reb Chaim Noeh is 960 meters and according to the Chazon Ish is 1152 meters), may wrap his hands in a cloth or other similar object, and then eat the bread without washing. If he is anyway travelling in a certain direction, and in the direction of travel there is water within 4 Mil (3840 or 4608 meters respectively), he must wait until he reaches that place, and then wash his hands. However, one is not obligated to travel in another direction for more than a Mil. (Shulchan Aruch and Mishne Berura 163)
2) If one is unsure if he will find water in that place, and he is hungry, he may wrap his hands and eat without washing. (ibid)
