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purifing water
- Thread starter Rex
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 632
Hi,
I have never heard of a straw filter. Can you please provide a link or description...
Thanks
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
I have never heard of a straw filter. Can you please provide a link or description...
Thanks
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
In the SAS escape and evasion manual they
provide a description of straw filters.
It is a drinking straw with several layers of
filtering agents at the top. According to
them they are very effective (something like
mid 90% for bacteria if I remember right),
but are only good for about ten uses before
you have to discard them (again I am
going from memory on that). You simply put
the end of the straw in the water source and
drink through it. It has been a while, and I
can't remember if the book gave instructions
for making one or not. However, I have never
seen them for sale anywhere.
Hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by JHall (edited 01-12-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
provide a description of straw filters.
It is a drinking straw with several layers of
filtering agents at the top. According to
them they are very effective (something like
mid 90% for bacteria if I remember right),
but are only good for about ten uses before
you have to discard them (again I am
going from memory on that). You simply put
the end of the straw in the water source and
drink through it. It has been a while, and I
can't remember if the book gave instructions
for making one or not. However, I have never
seen them for sale anywhere.
Hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by JHall (edited 01-12-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
Almost forgot, correct me if I'm wrong
anybody, but as far as I know boiling your
water for a few minutes should make it safe
to drink. The big downside with this is that
it requires a lot of energy to boil water.
This translates to a long time over a fire
(inconvenient if you are on the move) or
quite a bit of fuel from your stove, if you
are using one, that could be better used for
other things. Your best bet by far is to use
some sort of filtering system. If you are
looking to go light, and I assume you are
since your question was about straws, get a
bottle if iodine tablets. The water doesn't
taste the greatest but they weigh almost
nothing. On the other hand, if you are just
looking for a good filter, go to
www.rei.com
and check the filters by Pur and MSR. They
both make excellent filters, and each company
offers a compact model as well I believe.
Sorry to write an essay, hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
anybody, but as far as I know boiling your
water for a few minutes should make it safe
to drink. The big downside with this is that
it requires a lot of energy to boil water.
This translates to a long time over a fire
(inconvenient if you are on the move) or
quite a bit of fuel from your stove, if you
are using one, that could be better used for
other things. Your best bet by far is to use
some sort of filtering system. If you are
looking to go light, and I assume you are
since your question was about straws, get a
bottle if iodine tablets. The water doesn't
taste the greatest but they weigh almost
nothing. On the other hand, if you are just
looking for a good filter, go to
www.rei.com
and check the filters by Pur and MSR. They
both make excellent filters, and each company
offers a compact model as well I believe.
Sorry to write an essay, hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
- Joined
- Oct 7, 1998
- Messages
- 1,838
Rex; you may wish to peruse this excellent
thread on various forms of water
purification:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000005.html
Hope this helps, Walt
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
thread on various forms of water
purification:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000005.html
Hope this helps, Walt
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
On different occasions I've used boiling,
filtering, and Portable Aqua tablets, I'll
explain how they work for me:
Boiling: takes a long time, you don't get to
drink cold water unless you wait for it to
cool, you have to carry extra fuel or build a
fire, also the water will still be muddy or
full of chemicals if they were in the water
originally
Filtering: (I used a sweetwater guardian) on
the good side, you get water almost
instantly, you get to drink it cold, and you
filter out mud and most chemicals. On the
downside, filters are heavy (for a go-light
backpacker, that is) they can get clogged up
if you use muddy water and don't know the
tricks to keep the mud out, and they can
break if you are really hard on them (note:
I've never broken one, even with hard
use.)Tablets: Downside: some people are
allergic to the iodine in the tablets, and
its probably not to healthy for continuous
use. It does not get rid of mud or chemicals
and it can take up to twenty minutes to
dissolve, it also leaves a bad taste in the
water and will turn pasta blue if you cook
with the water. On the upside, their light
and cheap and pretty foolproof.
Don't get the filter straws, although I've
never used on, I've only heard bad things
about them. They are supposedly the worst!
Drink up!
Granite
------------------
An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
filtering, and Portable Aqua tablets, I'll
explain how they work for me:
Boiling: takes a long time, you don't get to
drink cold water unless you wait for it to
cool, you have to carry extra fuel or build a
fire, also the water will still be muddy or
full of chemicals if they were in the water
originally
Filtering: (I used a sweetwater guardian) on
the good side, you get water almost
instantly, you get to drink it cold, and you
filter out mud and most chemicals. On the
downside, filters are heavy (for a go-light
backpacker, that is) they can get clogged up
if you use muddy water and don't know the
tricks to keep the mud out, and they can
break if you are really hard on them (note:
I've never broken one, even with hard
use.)Tablets: Downside: some people are
allergic to the iodine in the tablets, and
its probably not to healthy for continuous
use. It does not get rid of mud or chemicals
and it can take up to twenty minutes to
dissolve, it also leaves a bad taste in the
water and will turn pasta blue if you cook
with the water. On the upside, their light
and cheap and pretty foolproof.
Don't get the filter straws, although I've
never used on, I've only heard bad things
about them. They are supposedly the worst!
Drink up!
Granite
------------------
An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
- Joined
- Oct 7, 1998
- Messages
- 1,838
Granite; had you perused the thread to which I referred above,
you would have discovered the trick a poster shared with us.
Adding some vitamin C to the iodinated water after sufficient time is
allowed for purification changes the elemental iodine
to the ionized iodide form.
This is very much less distasteful.
Hope this helps, Walt
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
you would have discovered the trick a poster shared with us.
Adding some vitamin C to the iodinated water after sufficient time is
allowed for purification changes the elemental iodine
to the ionized iodide form.
This is very much less distasteful.
Hope this helps, Walt
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
Rex,
I bought one of those straws years ago. Never used it,
and my ex-girlfriend's dog chewed open the packaging,
and the capped ends, of the straw a couple years ago.
Seems like it would be pretty effective, though..., with not
only a basic filter, but a layer of activated charcoal as well,
for removing smells and chemicals and such.
JHall... boiling will kill bugs in the water, but won't remove
sediment, or chemicals that might be harmful.
You can filter sediment through several layers of cloth. Chemicals probably
wouldn't be a problem way out in the woods,
but would likely be much more of a problem
in less rural areas.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
I bought one of those straws years ago. Never used it,
and my ex-girlfriend's dog chewed open the packaging,
and the capped ends, of the straw a couple years ago.
Seems like it would be pretty effective, though..., with not
only a basic filter, but a layer of activated charcoal as well,
for removing smells and chemicals and such.
JHall... boiling will kill bugs in the water, but won't remove
sediment, or chemicals that might be harmful.
You can filter sediment through several layers of cloth. Chemicals probably
wouldn't be a problem way out in the woods,
but would likely be much more of a problem
in less rural areas.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
Kirk D - that is true. I didn't mention it
because I was assuming that you are not
getting your water out of a mud puddle.
Commonly, if you are in this situation your
water source will be a small flowing stream
or creek that you should be able to collect
sediment free water from. Also, we can no
longer assume that any body of water (no
matter how remote) is free of bacteria OR
chemical contaminants, due to these things
being carried in the air, deposited through
rain, etc... That is why many sources now say
it is a good idea to both filter your water
AND boil it. However, most people don't do
this. I personally just use the filter. It's
size and weight is negligable when you
consider the safety and convenience it
provides. I do go ahead and let any water
that I am cooking with boil for a couple
of minutes (never hurts). Rex, you definitely
need the water (the six pack may entertain
you, but it will also dehydrate you) and
whatever system you decide on, stick to it.
ALWAYS put all of your water through some
sort of purification before drinking. You do
not want to be stuck in the backcountry with
an illness. Period. Especially one that could
have been easily prevented! Incidentally,
illnesses that you can expect to get from
unpurified water can range from serious
illness to annoying and inconvenient (like
the runs). Well, I intented to put in my .02,
turns out it was more like 1.00. Sorry for
the essay. Hope it helps someone.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
because I was assuming that you are not
getting your water out of a mud puddle.
Commonly, if you are in this situation your
water source will be a small flowing stream
or creek that you should be able to collect
sediment free water from. Also, we can no
longer assume that any body of water (no
matter how remote) is free of bacteria OR
chemical contaminants, due to these things
being carried in the air, deposited through
rain, etc... That is why many sources now say
it is a good idea to both filter your water
AND boil it. However, most people don't do
this. I personally just use the filter. It's
size and weight is negligable when you
consider the safety and convenience it
provides. I do go ahead and let any water
that I am cooking with boil for a couple
of minutes (never hurts). Rex, you definitely
need the water (the six pack may entertain
you, but it will also dehydrate you) and
whatever system you decide on, stick to it.
ALWAYS put all of your water through some
sort of purification before drinking. You do
not want to be stuck in the backcountry with
an illness. Period. Especially one that could
have been easily prevented! Incidentally,
illnesses that you can expect to get from
unpurified water can range from serious
illness to annoying and inconvenient (like
the runs). Well, I intented to put in my .02,
turns out it was more like 1.00. Sorry for
the essay. Hope it helps someone.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
This thread is pretty old now, but I found
this and it triggered a memory. This is
especially for Greg who asked for a link.
Here it is - http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?xax=24134&pagenumber%2Eptx=1&M5COPY%2Ectx=10241&M5%2Ectx=10241&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Emergency%20Preparedness%2C%20 Surviv al%20%26%20Lifesaving%20Supplies&level3%2Ectx=level3c%2Etam&backto=%2Fagcatalog%2Flevel3c%2Etam
Wow! That's a long one!! Anyway, like I said
- I know it's old but noone ever did find a
source for these puppies. Maybe someone
should check them out.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
this and it triggered a memory. This is
especially for Greg who asked for a link.
Here it is - http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4c.tam?xax=24134&pagenumber%2Eptx=1&M5COPY%2Ectx=10241&M5%2Ectx=10241&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Emergency%20Preparedness%2C%20 Surviv al%20%26%20Lifesaving%20Supplies&level3%2Ectx=level3c%2Etam&backto=%2Fagcatalog%2Flevel3c%2Etam
Wow! That's a long one!! Anyway, like I said
- I know it's old but noone ever did find a
source for these puppies. Maybe someone
should check them out.
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 632
jhall, thanks for the link... i checked it
out... sounds like a good addition to any
survival kit.... i appreciate you taking the
time to make the post....
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
out... sounds like a good addition to any
survival kit.... i appreciate you taking the
time to make the post....
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 03-13-2000).]
- Joined
- Oct 7, 1998
- Messages
- 1,838
Hmmmm...well, I read the list of things that it removes, and there are several misspellings, and some of the things they claim to remove are just plain silly, like Radon. This is a gas, and not likely to be found in stream water.
I would ask to see their lab trial data.
Walt (former biochemist, pharmacist, MD)
I would ask to see their lab trial data.
Walt (former biochemist, pharmacist, MD)
- Joined
- Oct 7, 1998
- Messages
- 1,838
Don't know. What are the active ingredients?
Walt
Walt
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 17
The survival straw works ont the redox (Reduction Oxidation)principle. This technique is very effiecient in destroying many pathogens. As with all these sterilizing methods they require a rentention time for them to be effective. Just as the water must be left to sit in the chlorox or iodine for a period of time before drinking , the water must remain incontact with the ionizing metals with in the straw in order to be effective. I have been unable to obtain the recommended rentention time for this device , however simply drawing water straight throught the straw seems like too little time to do a proper job.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 17
The survival straw works ont the redox (Reduction Oxidation)principle. This technique is very effiecient in destroying many pathogens. As with all these sterilizing methods they require a rentention time for them to be effective. Just as the water must be left to sit in the chlorox or iodine for a period of time before drinking , the water must remain incontact with the ionizing metals with in the straw in order to be effective. I have been unable to obtain the recommended rentention time for this device , however simply drawing water straight throught the straw seems like too little time to do a proper job.