Water

**hermitman** · 01-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Im very sorry I didn't read the whole thing so I don't know if all this has been covered and its very important. Filters with sand and charcole don't purify the water they simply clear it from dirt. Bleach is a very bad idea it is only good for mabey a month after that it is dangerous. As far as things made for water purifacation there are pumps,tablets, and I have seen straws that you can just drink the water right through the straw and its good for 50 liters. Other things include below ground still above ground still collecting rain water boiling. You can also collect water from condenstation dew and rain. If you boil water there are a number of things to boil it in first if you have ur survival kit it should have tinfoil becuase of its many uses and in this cas it can be made into a cup. You could make a bowl from wood animal parts (like turtle shell) and if you can make a bowl out of leafs they won't burn.

**Nativedude** · 01-21-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by hermitman

". . .Bleach is a very bad idea it is only good for mabey a month after that it is dangerous. . . ."

Bleach does work for much longer, if:

You add it to water that will be stored in dark (gray or black) containers and the containers are stored in a consistently cool (40 - 55 degree) place (like a root cellar) where no UV rays will get to them.

When I lived in the lower 48, I had 6 - 55 gal. steel drums filled with distilled rain water. I added one cup of bleach to each drum. 3 of them are still stored with the water in them. The other three were used and the water was fine. I gave all 6 drums to a buddy of mine when I moved to AK.

I have 4 - 25 gal. Oak casks at home that I use for rain water and snow melt off. I have them set up with fine brass mesh and virgin silk filters over the tops of them. I use the water all the time. Two of them are sealed and stored (in case of a drought). I check the water in them about very 4 months to make sure it is not stagnate. . .so far, so good!

**canid** · 01-21-2008, 11:56 PM

there is also UV treatment through the use of a shielded high output UV lamp and SODIS [solar disinfection] where clear PE bottles filled with settled, clear water are treated with sunlight for from 6 hours to 2 days, depending on clarity of water and solar intensity.

**marlin22** · 02-20-2008, 02:54 PM

I got a question to add to this one. Is it true if you have soda pop, beer, or any dink like that its better to dump it out if you are lost if its all you have to drink because it’s just going to dehydrate you more later?

**Sourdough** · 02-20-2008, 03:07 PM

If you got beer you ain't lost. You are at the corner of Beer and Beer. And if you have enough Beer, No worries your inlaws will be there soon.

**nell67** · 02-20-2008, 03:24 PM

Well that answered that,quick,dump the beer (or drink very ,very fast!)

**Rick** · 02-20-2008, 03:32 PM

The alcohol displaces the water in your body causing you to become dehydrated. However, it takes more than one to see any noticeable effects. For the short term, drink the beer if that's all you have. For the long term, as much as it pains me, the beer is not good for you.

As for the soda, according to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, one glass of soda is about equivalent to one glass of water.

Source: http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp

**Alpine_Sapper** · 02-20-2008, 05:32 PM

From the CDC Site for giardia:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasi...m#risk_factors

If you are unable to avoid using or drinking water that might be contaminated, then you can make the water safe to drink by doing one of the following:

* Heat the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
OR
* Use a filter that has an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, or one that has been NSF rated for "cyst removal."

For information on choosing a water filter, see the CDC fact sheet entitled “Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water,” available by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/ parasites/cryptosporidiosis/ factsht_crypto_prevent_water.htm.

If you cannot heat the water to a rolling boil or use a recommended filter, then try chemically treating the water by chlorination or iodination. Using chemicals may be less effective than boiling or filtering because the amount of chemical required to make the water safe is highly dependent on the temperature, pH, and cloudiness of the water.

**dilligaf2u2** · 02-20-2008, 11:38 PM

I have an NCI filter on my tap in the kitchen. I have a NCI gravity, 250 gallon, filter in the pack and I carry 26 gallon H2OnDemand straw in the BOB.

If you do not have a commercial filter! Once you get all the crud out of the water, strain it threw several layers of cotton or wool (several times). Then you bring the water to a BOIL. You do not have to boil it for long, if you let it stand and cool for a few minutes before use.

Chemical purification works but not my idea for use, unless it is for a combat situation or stealth movements; where a fire would be detrimental to your well being or health.

I wish, I could go into detail how I do my water when out. One of these days; I need to suck it up and take the weight of a camera out with me.

I live in high desert. I have used a 20 X 20 plastic sheet to make a pit evaporation still. I got just enough water in a day from this method for one person to survive one day, about two cups. In winter this method would be useless here.

Don

**bulrush** · 02-21-2008, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by thinkfree3

Bleach is bad for the health I would only recomend it as a last resort. In fact i recomend getting filters that remove chemicals from your tap water and shower water. It won't kill you all at once but it's really not good for you.

Bleach is indeed bad for your health, but if you leave the cap off your container after adding bleach, and let it sit for 1-2 hours, the bleach will escape by its own. Just let it sit until you cannot smell bleach anymore. Shake the bottle every few minutes to speed the process. Aeration helps remove chlorine. Which is why more and more cities are stopping the use of chlorine bleach and moving to longer lasting chloramines.

(I have fish tanks and we have to remove these from the water before putting tap water in fish tanks.)

**canid** · 02-23-2008, 05:16 AM

it'll take a lot longer than that for the bleach to evaporate from solution in standing water.

**bulrush** · 02-26-2008, 01:09 PM

Water in an enclosed plant (like a vine or barrel cactus) should be safe to drink, it has not been contaminated by insects or airborn bacteria. However, I would not bet my health on open standing water, contained in jungle plants that are open to the air. I forget the name of the group of plants, but they are often epiphytes, growing on another tree for a place to anchor.