Portable Aqua tabs storage life?

[messer454]

I have had some Portable Aqua water purification tabs in my vehicle for at least a couple of years. The package has never been opened. Anyone know how long they last like that? Thanks

 

[Blues]

I believe the shelf life is five years.

 

[kr1]

I thought that they stamped an expiration date on the bottle?? I am pretty sure they don't tolerate heat or moisture very well but if they are unopened I would expect that they would last at least as long as indicated on the bottle.

I'll check mine latter.

KR

 

[sputnick]

Did a quick search and came up with this site. It explains the date coding on the bottle.

Cryptosporidium is probably the most common cause of waterborn illness in NA. While it is nice to have a couple of these tabs in a survival kit, I wouldnt rely on them to provide 100% safe water. The katadyn micropur tabs (or similar chlorine dioxide based product) are more effective without additional filtration.

If you still want to use an iodine type disinfectant get polar pure, its elemental iodine so it is effective for as long as you have crystals and a bottle of it goes a verrry long way. BTW, dont add ammonia to the bottle as this will create nitrogen triiodide, which happens to be a contact explosive.

 

[messer454]

Sputnick and others thanks for the reply. I will be looking for the katadyn micropur tabs. I used polar pure at Philmont Scout ranch I think.

Allright now I am confused. After reading that sight it looks like you need a filter AND a purifier if you want to be sure the water is safe. Is that right? Is there any ONE thing you can do to water to make it safe?

 

[2dogs]

Not all water can be made safe. If you are downstrean of a leather tannery in China you had better risk dehydration. That is of course an extreme example and not really applicable to North American forests. New Oeleans after the hurricane is an example of extreme needs that anyone could encounter. In that situation only filtering via forward osmosis is effective. However you end up with a gatorade like product and not water.

If you are taliking backcountry use then viruses are not much of a problem since they mostly originate from human feces. So, chlorine dioxide tablets like Micropur MP1 or Aquamira, I use either one, work fine as do .2 micron or smaller filters like Katadyn. The Katadyn filter system has been used for many years all over the world with outstanding results. Boiling works too. Iodine tablets are less effective then chlorine, and yes Polar Pure was recommended at Philmont in the past. Solar disinfection also works as do some other processes. I would add that personal experience is NOT a good indicator of positive effectiveness. Just because someone says they have drank water filtered through a sock filled filled with gravel with no ill effects doesn't mean it works. Here are a couple of water related links.

http://www.sodis.ch/

http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/WPD/CompareDevices.aspx

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

http://www.psi.org/our_programs/products/pur.html

 

[messer454]

I havn't had a chance to read those sights yet but I realize some water cannot be made to drink. I guess I want knowledge of two things

1. If my truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere will the chlorine dioxide tabs make water from a stream or pond safe to drink? (I think it will.)

2. If you filter water through a coffee filter and then boil it (same stream and pond) will it be safe to drink?

Notice I am looking for a fast way and also I guess an extended stay ran out of tablets way.

Thanks

 

[2dogs]

As long as the water source is "reasonable", which should be the case in the middle of nowhere, then yes. Just don't forget some sort of container.

Oops had to edit. Chlorine can take 4 hours or longer in very cold water. I didn't understand your last sentance.