BOB and Water

[abo4ster]

There have been a lot of posts lately about Bug Out Bags and what to include.

What are you putting in your BOB for water? Chemical treatment or filter?

If you have a filter, what kind and do you recommend it?

 

[longbow50]

I carry both a filter (PUR Hiker) and several bottles of Potable Aqua. Yeah, I'd recommend the PUR. It does a good job of filtering out the bad stuff. However, it's relatively low (300 gal max) filtering capacity per cartridge as compared to other filters is a draw back for long term survival.

 

[beezaur]

I have an empty 2-liter Platypus flexible water bottle. I carry an eye dropper full of chlorine (household bleach = 5% sodium hypochlorite), enough for ~50 liters. You have to change the bleach every so often though. It gets old and loses its effectiveness.

I think a filter is a good idea, but I don't carry one for cost and space savings. Filters generally don't take care of viruses, but they are probably better for indefinite storage.

The filter I would recommend is the SweetWater Walkabout. It is very light and reasonably priced. http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1

Scott

 

[Sidewinder]

Pack both, First Need filter and Potable Aqua tabs.

S.

 

[paleo25]

I carry potable aqua tabs

 

[oliverplomion]

In "urban" configuration I carry some "micropur" tabs in my BOB, as soon as I move out of town my larger BOB include at least one NALGENE lexan bottle and my MSR miniwork filter + micropur tabs.

 

[Hotrod]

Might be wise on automobile/home bob kits to have water already stored...

Incase theres none to be had! I say none, but I mean not readilly avaiable...

 

[Robert H]

Get both. Use both if in doubt. You can't afford to be sick if it's a real emergency.

 

[anomad]

I have used Polar Pure Iodine crystals while backpacking for years. Small, light, easy to use and one bottle will treat about 500 gallons, over time. Only drawback is the water needs to be above about 70F degrees to be effective.

I've also used a PUR scout and other water filtration systems. They are great for filling up 5 water bottles quickly from a cold or realy grungy water source and my preferred choice hiking in a group.

There are some micropur mp1 water purification tablets in my nalgene water bottle survival kit but I haven't used them yet.

 

[longbow50]

I agree with Hotrod that storing drinkable water in the vehicle and home is a good idea. The first thing to go away in flooding or an earthquake is usually the water supply.