Survival: Water Purification?

[JD Spydo]

I know this subject has been talked about before but it's been a while i.e. Survival Water purification.

But I'm sure that there may be some new products around and I've learned a bit more on the subject since then.

Right at this time I use an "AQUARAIN" gravity fed unit (similar to the British Berkfeld). I've had excellent luck with the Aquarain unit and it truly does put out some very clean and good tasting water and you don't need heat or electricity to operate it.

I do know that with this huge and growing survival and Prepper movement going on that there is probably some very good brainstorming on water purification not to mention some good new products out there as well. So let's talk about water purification because the 2 most important skills of survival are water purification and the ability to start fire under adverse conditions.

What do you all use and why do you like it? And what type of a unit is it?

[.357 mag]

When camping\ hiking, I run the water through a coffee filter and bring the water to a rolling boil. If the water is contaminated beyond what this will kill, your screwed anyway.

[Monocrom]

Still haven't found a better method than boiling water in a sturdy metal cup with folding handles. The cup is an essential item. Also carry at least 3 methods for making fire, along with plenty of tinder with you.

[Evil D]

I would probably boil water even after filtering it if i had the option.

[Blerv]

They have to boil water to make beer. Beer has water in it.

Why do you need a water purifier again?

[JD Spydo]

I would probably boil water even after filtering it if i had the option.

Evil D I would be the last person on the planet to argue that>> And you want to boil at least 10 to 12 minutes and a rolling boil at that. No doubt about it there is more to water purification and disinfecting. I would also like to bring up portable units as well.

I've been looking at the Swiss made Katadyn units which are rated very high.

[Pockets]

It isn't necessary to boil water for very long at all. Nothing in your water is going to survive anywhere close to boiling. There is a lot of time the water is in this lethal heat zone: once it gets very hot but not boiling, then when it boils, then when it cools down enough to drink. Altitude doesn't lower the boiling temperature enough to be a factor, but if you want to be safe, maybe you could boil the water for an extra 30 seconds. Anything more is a waste, IMO.

[JD Spydo]

It isn't necessary to boil water for very long at all. Nothing in your water is going to survive anywhere close to boiling. There is a lot of time the water is in this lethal heat zone: once it gets very hot but not boiling, then when it boils, then when it cools down enough to drink. Altitude doesn't lower the boiling temperature enough to be a factor, but if you want to be safe, maybe you could boil the water for an extra 30 seconds. Anything more is a waste, IMO.

Thanks for the input "Pockets" and please don't take me as being disagreeable or confrontational but I have heard at 2 survival seminars that I've attended in the past 3 years that you do indeed want to boil the water for at least 10 minutes to kill micororganisms like Cryptosporidia and a couple of others I can't remember the names off the top of my head. And I wouldn't doubt if what they said was trully overkill>> but in a serious survival situation I sure wouldn't want to get sick on bad water especailly under very stressful times.

Now I've recently been told that I can treat the water I want to run through my AQUARAIN unit with bleach and that alone would make all the water disinfected after it has gone though the filters in the AQUARAIN unit. Hey Pocket's I'm not doubting you at all>> but when it comes to something as important as drinking water I want to know 1000% for sure that I won't end up with pathogens in my drinking water.

I was hoping that some of you would be up to speed on some of the newer water filters on market. Like I said in my first post the Swiss company Katadyn has portable units rated very high as well as the MSR units made here in the USA. I would also like to know more method of disinfecting water under adverse situations?

[.357 mag]

When our city as a boil order for whatever reason, they tell us to boil water for 5 minutes. I treat that as a rolling boil for 5 minutes.

[Pockets]

If I were in a survival situation, I would probably boil it for a minute or two, just to be sure, even if I don't *need* to.
There are some UV things called Steripens that are supposed to be effective. Also, Google the SODIS method. Interesting stuff.

[w3tnz]

In my away kit I have a stash of aquatabs, some charcoal 'torturous path' filter straws and a primus stove for boiling.

Something else to consider in an urban setting is simply stockpiling clean water, after the earthquake a lot of the pumping stations around the city were damaged and there was no water in some places for weeks, of course it was obtainable but you had to look further a field than the kitchen tap...

If boiling is not an option a couple of drops of household bleach works, its between 3-5 drops per litre, depending on quality of water, and allow to sit for 30 minutes.

[JD Spydo]

If I were in a survival situation, I would probably boil it for a minute or two, just to be sure, even if I don't *need* to.
There are some UV things called Steripens that are supposed to be effective. Also, Google the SODIS method. Interesting stuff.

I've heard about that "UV" stuff to help disinfect water and I've heard good about it too. I've also heard a lot about some type of "OXYGEN" tablets that you drop in a big quanity of water and it supposedly kills all microorganishms.

I've also heard good stuff about "Iodine" treatments for water too. I've been looking through many of my past issue Backwoodsman and other survival type magazines and there is a ton of stuff written about water safety.

You also have comtaminants and pollutants and how to filter them effectively. There is a lot to know about water safety and I'm hoping that someone will chime in from a health department or possibly a chemist that can fill us in on the details.

[Dr. Snubnose]

I use the Multi-pure system because of the carbon block filter...been using it 30+ YEARS.......pure water every time....Doc :)

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

They have to boil water to make beer. Beer has water in it.

Why do you need a water purifier again?

+100000000000000

[JD Spydo]

I use the Multi-pure system because of the carbon block filter...been using it 30+ YEARS.......pure water every time....Doc :)

My AQUARAIN unit is somewhat similar to what you have Doc>> First of all it is a "gravity fed" stainless steel unit with 4 ceramic filters that are impregnated with coconut charcoal and silver. It filters all of the contaminants, chlorine and any unwanted sediment. It does allow the minerals to remain the water which is a good thing. There is very little maintenance with the unit and replacement filters only need to be changed about once a year to every 16 months or so. It's semi portable and can be moved easily. They have a website and all you got to do is just to GOOGLE Aquarain water filters and you'll find any information you want to know about it.

Like I said earlier it is very comparable to the British Berkfeld unit that is very popular and there are a few dealers that sell both units.

[The Deacon]

Still haven't found a better method than boiling water in a sturdy metal cup with folding handles. The cup is an essential item. Also carry at least 3 methods for making fire, along with plenty of tinder with you.

Depends on the source. Boiling kills bacteria and viruses, but does nothing to remove solids and chemical impurities.

They have to boil water to make beer. Beer has water in it.

Why do you need a water purifier again?

Beer may be an elixir of life, but it's not the only one. Ever taste coffee made with beer? :p

[syntaxerrorsix]

I use at Berkey at home to purify water. This is the standard in my opinion.



In the field I use a Katadyn Mini like this one.



Boiling water in the field isn't very practical. With the filter I can jack directly into my Camel Bak bladder without even removing my pack and filter 3 liters of water in short order. If I don't trust the source I'll add iodine tabs.

It's important to note the difference between filtered and purified. The source should be your first indicator on how to make your drinking water safe.

[Clip]

FWIW a friend just completed the Appalachian trail yesterday using the Katadyn Hiker Pro.

I've been looking at Katadyn and MSR's offerings for a while. I agree with Syntax. When on long hikes, boiling water after filtering is quite a task. In addition to the equipment, you need to bring along a lot more fuel.

[Blerv]

Beer may be an elixir of life, but it's not the only one. Ever taste coffee made with beer? :p

Oh crud. Good point. I would die of a coffee headache days before dehydration.

[kbuzbee]

Ever taste coffee made with beer? :p

I haven't, Paul, but you have me intrigued.... How is it ?

Ken