That Water is Unsafe to Drink
In this Survival Topic we will discuss why it is important that you consider ALL sources of drinking water as contaminated with disease causing organisms until you properly treat it. We will also touch upon the best method to make water safe to drink. Water Born Disease Organisms I want to hammer home to you the importance of always always always (did I say “always”?) In short, before you use water for any purpose that ends up in your body including drinking wateroral hygiene such as rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth.cleaning of vegetables and other foodscleaning of cooking and eating utensilsdouching and enemas if you are into such things best left unsaid the water must first be de-contaminated so that all water borne pathogens are destroyed or rendered inert. Contaminated Water One of the most basic concepts you must completely understand in order to stay healthy in wilderness survival situations is that all sources of water are suspect. You Are Likely Drinking Feces In conclusion:
Better than Bleach: Use Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water
Knowing how to make your water safe to drink can not only keep you healthy – it could save your life. We often take for granted access to safe, uncontaminated, potable water. So much so that many people do not have the means or knowledge necessary to destroy disease causing organisms that may be lurking in their water supply. Many outdoorsmen, survivalists, and households preparing for emergency disasters rely upon common household bleach as a disinfecting agent to make water safe to drink. However there is a readily available chemical that far surpasses common household bleach in terms of the amount of water it treats per unit of volume and weight AND in terms of shelf-life, which is perhaps it most important advantage of all. In fact, not understanding the limitations of household bleach could jeopardize your health and perhaps even your life in a survival situation. What is not well known is Calcium Hypochlorite is far better for chemically disinfecting water.
Water Purificaiton Methods for Survival, Emergency, & Backpacking | HowToTo.com
Water is a top priority as you can’t survive beyond three days without it. Unclean drinking water can have harmful bacteria, protozoa, cryptosporidiums, viruses, and chemicals in it. Waterborne illnesses can cause flu-like symptoms, watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, substantial loss of weight, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fever, chills, coughing, muscle aches, cramps, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, seizures, paralysis, and even death. You don’t want to mess around with water that has not been purified. Take the necessary precautions and purify your water before you drink it. These are the most common methods to purify water in survival or backpacking setting. Tips for Improving Taste If the water is murky or cloudy first filter the water through a clean cloth. Survival Purification Methods Sterilize with Sunlight – Ultraviolet rays can kill micro organisms if exposed for enough time. Earth Filter – It is possible to make an earth filter using charcoal, sand, and grass.
Survival - Finding Water
Finding water is a top priority in the wild. An adult can survive only a few days without water, but many weeks without food. Dehydration About 3/4 of the human body is water. Your body loses 0.5-1 gallon (2-3 liters) of water each day through sweating and urination, more if you are hot, exerting a lot of energy or are at high altitudes. Finding water is critical, if not, dehydration will inevitably occur. To prevent water loss, rest, keep cool, stay in the shade, and seek shelter. Waterborne contaminants In most parts of the world, surface water is seldom pure. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. A common parasite is Giardia lamblia. Water purification There are three ways to treat suspected water: filtration, boiling and chemical waterpurification. · Filtering water doesn't purify it, but it reduces particles and sediment and makes the water taste better. · Boiling is the most certain way of killing all microorganisms. Purification filters Indicators of water
How To Purify Water – Water Purification Process
“Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink,” as the old saying goes. A more apt statement for these times might be, “water, water everywhere, but is it safe to drink?” And if it’s not, what is a reliable water purification process? Sadly, in this day and age there are few, if any, places where the water is safe to drink without treating, no matter how pristine and inviting it may look. Water in the wild often contains harmful microorganisms, bacteria and parasites that can cause a variety of ailments, such as giardia, dysentery, hepatitis, and hookworms. I. The simplest method to purify water is probably boiling. You need to bring the water to a full, rolling boil for at least five minutes to be safe, with some experts recommending an even longer time. II. There are also several chemical purifiers on the market. One to two tablets or drops will clear up a quart of water. You can even add a few drops of bleach in a pinch, though I wouldn’t recommend overusing this one. III. IV.
