Bushcraft is all about survival skills in the wilderness and one of the most important skills to master is water purification. Access to clean, safe drinking water is vital to maintain your health and energy, especially if you are going on a multi-day hike, camping trip or a survival situation. In the wilderness, finding safe drinking water can be a challenge, and it’s essential to know how to purify it to avoid water-borne illnesses.
There are several methods for purifying water in the wilderness, but in this post, we’ll discuss the most common and effective methods.
– Boiling Water –
Boiling is one of the simplest and oldest methods of purifying water. This method is effective in removing bacteria, viruses, and parasites from water. Boil the water for at least one minute, and for higher elevations, boil for three minutes. Boiling is a great option for those who are traveling light and want to keep things simple.
Note: Boiling water will only help with bacteria, viruses, and things like that, it won’t remove chemical impurities, heavy metals, etc. So consider this when choosing a water purification method.
– Chemical Treatment –
Chemical treatment is another common method of water purification. The most common chemical treatments are iodine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide which are often used by backpackers and hikers. these chemicals are easy to use and available in tablet form. Simply follow the instructions on the package and drop the required amount of tablets into the water and wait the recommended time. Chemical treatments are a good option for removing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They don’t take up too much space so they are easy to carry.
However, they also won’t remove dirt, heavy metals, harmful chemicals, and other things like that from water, as well as they are also chemicals that are not too good to ingest. It is highly unlikely that you will get overdosed on them but still, I would recommend using them only temporarily and not as a long-term solution.
Just to be sure ask your healthcare professional before using these tablets just to be sure that you don’t have some kind of a condition that makes you more prone to having bad reactions to these chemicals.
– Filters and Purifiers –
Bushcraft filters and purifiers refer to the various methods and tools used to clean and purify water while camping or hiking in the wilderness. These tools help to remove contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals, which can make water unsafe to drink. There are several types of bushcraft filters and purifiers available, each designed to remove specific contaminants from water. Some of the most common filter technologies used in bushcraft filters include:
- Mechanical filters: These filters physically remove contaminants such as sediment, debris, and particles as water passes through the filter. Examples include ceramic filters and gravity-fed filters.
- Adsorption filters: These filters use materials such as activated carbon to remove chemicals and impurities from water. Activated carbon filters are a common example of this type of filter.
- Ultrafiltration filters: These filters use a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites from water. They are often used in combination with other filter technologies for increased effectiveness.
- Reverse osmosis filters: These filters use pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing a wide range of contaminants, including salts and minerals. They are effective but can be heavy and bulky, making them less suitable for backpacking trips.
- Microfiltration filters: These filters use a dense mesh of fibers to remove contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, and other microscopic impurities from water. They are often used in combination with other filter technologies for increased effectiveness.
– Solar Still –
A solar still is a great option for those who are in a survival situation and don’t have any purification supplies. A solar still is essentially a hole in the ground with a container at the bottom. The sun heats the water, and the water vapor condenses on the container and is collected as clean drinking water. A solar still is a great option for those who are in a survival situation and need a reliable source of water.
Conclusion: Clean and safe drinking water is essential to survive in the wilderness. There are several methods of water purification, including boiling, chemical treatment, filters, purifiers, and solar stills. When choosing a method, consider the size, weight, and effectiveness of the system, as well as the situation. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so invest in a good water purification system and ensure you know how to use it properly. Happy bushcrafting!