What type of water purifier do you carry?

B

Buckshot

Joined
Mar 10, 1999
Messages
38
I Got a katadyn pocket filter awhile back and absolutly love it. This thing is the
stoutest filter ive ever put my paws on. The only drawback is it doesent get rid of bad tasting water. But the filter has a life of just about 13000 gallons. Now that is hard to
beat. What do you carry in the woods?
Buckshot
 
A pot.

It's cheap, reliable, will never clog, can melt snow, make coffee, cook stew, and a multitude of other things.


Stryver
 
Katadyn Mini (Ceramic) and Iodine. The Katadyn does not get rid of the taste, clogs up and takes long to pump. Still it's a nice break from Iodine.
 
I like the PUR Scout, but I also try to always have a boiling container with me. Has anybody ever used those water filter straws Brigade Quartermaster used to sell?
 
Katadyn makes a model called the combi that
you can install charcoal packets in to get
rid of bad tastes. I might pick one up. I believe a pot is good but when your on the move say hiking or something a good portible
filter is hard to beat.
 
I use Polar Pure. Same principle as iodine saturate shown in Ron's video, but easier to find. Got mine at REI. Much cheaper and smaller than a purifier and lasts many times longer. Iodine water doesn't bother me. My only complaint is having to wait 20-30 minutes before drinking. That's a problem if you're on the move. I'm sure I'll buy a small purifier sometime for just that reason - passing a cool stream and want to tank up right now.

I stopped using iodine tablets in favor of Polar Pure because of the long (indefinite?) shelf life of Polar Pure.

Some of you mentioned filters: my understanding is you must be careful to get a Purifier rather than a Filter. If the number of gallons is exceptionally high, it's probably a filter only. Don't know for sure, but that's my understanding. Hope someone who knows more will respond.

Bill http://www.caliberdt.com/~bill/survival.htm


[This message has been edited by BillQ (edited 04-13-2000).]
 
Pur Scout when I feel like carrying extra... Otherwise, I use iodine and my canteen cup (boil it).

------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
How many drops of iodine would one use to lets say 12 ounces of water? What is the diffrence between using bleach or iodine, Taste? I know to much bleach tastes horrible
and can make a guy sicker than a dog.
 
Iodine tabs and my fav like stryver, a pot.

------------------
Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
A pot and iodine in case. But I do have the First Need Deluxe, because it supposedly can filter viruses without chemicals. It's too big and heavy for when I'm by myself or going light, but it has its applications. Anyone use this one or know about it?
 
I have a PUR Hiker filter, and also carry Polar Pure for purification duties. When I'm going light, I carry my trusty 1lb. coffee can with wire hanger handle and just boil it.
 
The question/s were:
"How many drops of iodine would one use to lets say 12 ounces of water? What is the diffrence between using bleach or iodine, Taste? "

You would add 2 drops of the 2% Tinture of Iodine for every (8 ounces)cup of water.

For bleach(Clorox) which is 5.25% sodium hyp
erchlorate you will add 1 drop for every (8 ounces)cup of water.

These mixtures, at these concentration levels require a rentention time before the water should be consumed, for bleach the minimum retention time is 30 minutes and for the iodine the retention times could be several hours especially if the water is cold and/or very turbid.

The iodine leaves a nasty metallic taste in the mouth, this can be overcome by adding some vitamin C to the water.

Neither of these methods should be used for extended periods of time. Boiling is still the best way if you are not on the move all of the time.

There was a discussion here on this topic before, might check with the "SEARCH"
 
HJK, I also have the First Need Delux that was recommended highly by Doug Ritter at Equipped to Survive ( http://www.equipped.com/watrfood.htm#GeneralEcology ). Have you tried using it with the continuous flow mode (without mumping)?
I agree that it is a bit bulky but claimed to purify viruses out as well as chemicals. Sounded like a full protection.

I also have Polar Pure and like the idea of using a pot for boiling.

HM
 
HM,
No, I haven't tried it in continued flow mode yet. Thanks for the link
smile.gif
 
Guys:
I know that boiling is probably the cheapest
and safest way but from what I hear boiling
removes the oxygen in the water causing it
to taste very flat. I still think a good light weight filter is hard to beat simply
because if your hiking in the boonies and very thirsty you can hydrate yourself right
away.
 
If 'flat' tasting water is your concern, a good way to fix that with boiled water is simply to pour it back and forth between two clean containers. That will oxygenate it.

I've used other methods, and will continue to do so, but when weight is a prime factor, such as backpacking, or reliability a prime factor, as in survival, or when cost is a prime factor, as in me, I'll choose a pot as the best method.

Stryver
 
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