Water, you can never get enough of it. It surrounds us but most of it will make you violently ill if you try to drink it. Luckily we’ve been able to come up with some pretty ingenious ways to purify it and make it safe for consumption.
The easiest and most basic way is of course the tried and true method of boiling. But fire isn’t always an option. I went through one of the premade GoBags that I have bought and decided to test out one of the water purification tablets by Potable Aqua. It’s been a few days and no stomach issues, so it looks like they work.
Pros:
-Small and light can fit just about anywhere
– 50 tablets per container means 25 or roughly 6 gallons of clean drinking water. That much water can mean the difference between life and death
– 4 year shelf life (if the tablets turn green it’s time to toss them)
Cons:
-Takes a half hour to purify the water (not really a con but if I am thirsty I’d hate to have to wait for it)
– Bottle and tablets would be hard to use when you lose the dexterity in your fingers (as in during extreme cold weather.
– Regardless of what the site says, the tablets do leave a chemical taste to the water
Bottom Line:
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At roughly $5.00 I think these Potable Aqua tablets should be added into every survival kit, provided that it is done alongside several other water purification methods. In a survival situation redundancy can save your life.
As a tip, carry some crystal light or Emergen C packets with you to help with any harsh chemical taste and replace any lost electrolytes.
Only add these in AFTER the water has been disinfected. If you put the flavoring in beforehand the tablets may not be fully effective.
Also, be sure to pre filter any water through a coffee filter, handkerchief or even a sock. This will help remove any sediment that would increase the turbidity of the water, allowing the bacteria ample places to hide and may make the tablet ineffective as well. In a survival situation you cannot afford to take chances when it comes to water.
What else would you suggest to help with water purification?
