Remember the old Survival Straw? Is there a new one that is GOOD?

Don Rearic

Don Rearic

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
8,917
Back around 1985, I purchased one of the original baby blue ones you used to see in Brigade Quartermasters, etc.

Does anyone make one that actually works and is safe now?
 
Don, the "state of the art" on survival straws (minimalist water filters) has improved in quantum leaps over the past twenty or so years. Particularly notable is the advancement in microporous ceramics. Most I see are rated at a filtration life of about 20 gallons. I am pretty sure this number is arrived at using fairly clear water with a low TDS and particulate count. They claim to remove 100% of those nasty cysts, some larger protozoa and bacterias. However, they have their limits in how small they can filter and entrap. They still are what they are, filters, not purifyers. The best ones I have found add an active purifying agent like iodine.

http://www.bestglide.com/water_purifier_straw_info.html

I've seen research that supports the idea that it isn't the pathogens themselves that cause the problems. It is the concentration of pathogens. In a pinch, anything done to reduce that concentration to a level at which the normal body function can overcome them has to be a plus.

Prefiltering will extend the usable life of a filter. One drawback I see to the straw is that people might rely on it as a primary water purification system, which it is not intended to be. But yes, new technology has created a whole new breed of survival filter straws. Most are under $20, so gathering five or six to experiment with would not break the bank.

Codger
 
Thanks! 20 gallons out of a $15.00 straw is not bad at all. I intend on making my own Mil(l)bank Bag out of canvas drop cloth because I cannot seem to find the Brit ones. That should help the straw out immensely and if I make the M-Bag small enough, it can fold into a very small kit. The standard "personal" size M-Bag is about 4-liters, that's a large bag. Making a personal sized one out of canvas identical in design to the original but only holding about 3/4 of a liter at a time should be really good.

I also found the pen flare launcher on that site as well, double thanks! :D
 
I wasn't familiar with the term "millbank bag" but I found this:

A Millbank bag is a great way to filter water into drinking water. While bacteria is not removed by a Millbank bag, large debris is filtered out so the water can be boiled or purified by other means.
Click to expand...

A prefilter of sorts. I used to have one I made from a short section of PVC pipe. It had several layers inside and did a decent job considering it was gravity flow.
 
Snow said:
I've got one of these on the way. I can't wait to try it.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Just remember that it is a filter, not a purifier. There are a lot of things that it won't filter out. And since it works on suction, you consume it's output without the chance to treat the water further.
 
Man, Brandon, you need to get down here so I can check out your new goodies. I ave a few for you to check out too.:thumbup:
 
Codger_64 said:
I wasn't familiar with the term "millbank bag" but...
Click to expand...

I had some book on Special Forces in the late 80s and it had a picture of some SAS Trooper's Survival Gear. The exact picture reappeared again years later in that 28-volume set, "Combat and Survival." Back about twenty years ago, I read the description of the items under the picture, "Lockpicks, these are illegal in the U.K." :D And on with the Lensatic/Prismatic Compass and a host of other items and there was this folded thing and it was a "Millbank Bag." Didn't have the internet then, not too many of us did! But it was something that I later looked up when I got online and found out what it was.

It's an old idea, cowboy's used bandannas, I mean, the list is endless. Cool stuff. But I want to make a small version of one, as you know and many others know, if you get the majority of the muck and sediment out of the water, whatever system you choose is going to work much better.
 
Codger_64 said:
Just remember that it is a filter, not a purifier. There are a lot of things that it won't filter out. And since it works on suction, you consume it's output without the chance to treat the water further.
Click to expand...

Yeah, realistically, I won't 'try it out' because I will leave it in my bag for emergencies. I also have iodine in my PSK, so I would want to combine the two for maximum efficacy.
 
I got a millbank off ebay from a seller in the UK. Last week a WWII unissued one went for 3 pounds so they aren't expensive. Pair it up with a billy can and you have your water kit sorted out
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top