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I have numerous methods of making water safe for drinking. One that I had always heard of but had never tried until recently was the LifeStraw.
The LifeStraw is an ultra-portable water filter that you use just like a straw. Place the straw in the suspect water – and as you suck it through the unit the water is filtered.
Simple.
The LifeStraw has been used all of the world by those desperate for life sustaining water – but no clean water source available. The LifeStraw was designed to be used under the most extreme conditions and purify water which may contain dangerous bacteria. Sounds like a perfect addition to several of my kits.
Check out this video:
Filtering 264 gallons, this is not a short term emergency filter. The LifeStraw can provide a lot of water over an extended period. Obviously how long the filter will last depends on how dirty the water is that is being filtered.
To try the filter out I drained a cup of water from my rain barrel. This was the dirtiest and most suspect water I could find. I stuck the straw in it – and no problem. Water tasted just fine. The pre-filtered water was full of particles suspended and it had a slight tint of brown.
The LifeStraw is an excellent choice for portable water purification. It is small, easy to use, and inexpensive. At under $20.00 it is a bargain.
Here are some specs:
- Filters up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water
- Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction)
- Removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction)
- Reduces turbidity, filtering down to 0.2 microns
- Ultralight: weighs only 2oz!
- Does NOT use iodine or iodinized resin
- Contains no chemicals (and is BPA-free), uses no batteries, has no moving parts
- Very high flow rate; no after taste (because no iodine or chlorine are used)
- Easy to clean. Can be stored and used periodically without impacting shelf life.
- Very durable
- Used worldwide in harsh conditions since 2005
- Award winning & internationally recognized
LifeStraw filters down to an incredible, 0.2 microns in size! This removes virtually all the bacteria (99.9999%) and protozoa (99.9%) from contaminated water, and reduces turbidity (muddiness) by filtering out suspended particles.
Bacteria removed include:
- Escherichia coli,
- Campylobacter,
- Vibrio cholerae,
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
- Shigella
- Salmonella
Protozoa removed include:
- Giardia lamblia (“Beaver Fever”)
- Cryptosporidium Parvum
- Entamoeba histolytica.
Specifications:
- Length: 9 inches
- Width: 1 inch
- Weight: 2 ounces
- Construction: durable plastic. Does not require replacement parts or batteries, or any chemicals.
- Capacity: filters up to 264 gallons (1000 liters) of water.
Want a LifeStraw of your very own? I have two to giveaway. Simply leave a comment to this post. Go and list what you thnk are he 5 most important things in your “Get Home Bag”, “Survival Kit” or “Bug Out Bag”.
I will use a Random Number Generator to select the winners.
Good luck!
Rouke
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Thanks for the giveaway.
5 most important things in my get home bag: Cell phone, cash, multi-tool, .45, flashlight.
The five most important items in my bugout bag are a Water filter(live 3 days w/o H20),my knife, headlamp,550-7 Para-cord, and matches. Those five items will get me back home…I hope…lol…thanks for the challenge. William
The five most important things I have in my BOB. .45 with extra ammo, MRE, Portable HT (ham Radio), fire starting tools, and leather-man. this would make a great addition to my kit.
Thanks,
Steve
1. Fixed Blade Knife
2. Flashlight
3. Magnesium & Flint
4. Water Filter
5. Paracord
5 most important things are my water filter, 9mm glock and extra ammo, food bars, duct tape, and knife with fire starter.
1. Ruger sr22
2. Camel back 3l
3. 3 fire starters
4. Survival knife
5. Survival blanket
1. Strong knife/multi tool
2. Water or filter for water
3. Pistol and extra ammo
4. Fire starting stuff
5. Emergency hand crank radio
This is a good question to think about and answer. My top five are:
Bible
firestarters
water/purification/container
shelter/warmth/paracord
knife/multi-tool
I am looking at five areas and not just five items. Some of these pack within each other. Most of these are in my briefcase. Plus flashlights and small medical/hygiene kit. It is easy to have them and make adjustments.
.22 with 100 rds ammo
Thermal bivvy sack. (It gets cold here in winter )
50 ft para cord
Extra knife
Gloves
This is beyond the food, two quart canteen, med kit, mess kit, spare socks, thermals etc. bringing kit to 20 pounds dry. Much of the weight devoted to keeping warm, and defensive / food acquisition .
5 Top GHB Items:
Leatherman Multitool
Lifestraw
Fire starter Kit
Rain Poncho/Shelter
Flashlight w/extra lithium batteries
Water filter
3 days freezedried
Med bag w/boot knife
Poncho w/liner
Field glasses (stand off avoidance)
5 Top Items:
Fire Starter
Multitool
Water Purification Items
.45 and ammo
Cash
The 5 most important things in my bag are, A fire starter, knife, handgun & ammo, water purification and a supply of food
Life straw is one component I feel that is going to be he top out of my top 5 in my bugout bag. If your are on the move carrieng alot of water will be extra weight. Tablets or boiling water to purify takes too much time.its easy to use and light. Getting to the next location quickly will be definitely a high priority. Multi tool,small first aid kit,maps, compass,extra pair of socks. Life straw would be #1 on the list.
My 5 most important items are my documents,knife, coins, walkie talkie, and water!
The 5 most important things in my kit are as follows: (no particular order)
1) magnesium fire starter
2) micropur tablets in combination with my 3L camelback
3) Leatherman
4) first aid kit – not ready for full fledge trauma, but will do in a pinch
5) Some cliff bars (you could put any food source here, but I developed a liking for this bars over others)
If I worked some where I could store a firearm in my vehicle that would have made the list; however since I primarily drive to and from work with this bag a firearm is not an option. I do have a pocket knife as part of my EDC though.
top 5 items in my GHB would be…
1) water filter straw
2) fixed blade knife
3) Walther P22 & 100 rnds of ammo
4) fire starting kit (strike anywhere matches with cotton/vasaline mix in a small tin)
5) wool blanket
For a car trunk get home bag.
1. Multi-tool
2. Waterproof bag with a change of clothes inside and boots.
3. Walkie talkie
4. Gloves.
5.Water.
1. Magnesium fire starter
2. Water packets
3. Tactical knife
4. Compass
5. Beretta 92SF with ammo and holster
My top five for my GHB are:
1) Water treatment
2) Fire steel
3) Fixed blade RAT-7
4) Maps
5) First aid kit
I don’t go anywhere without out it, even if I’m just going to the store a half mile away and a full BOB when going more than outside our county.
Thanks for the opportunity to add to our preps, and for your efforts with MSO?
MOLON LABE
The “?” was a typo.
Lighter, Paracord, knife, mulittool, Nalgene bottle, water purifier tabs
My BOB, and the BOB for each family member:
– cash (always useful)
– flashlight – never underestimate the power of light
– basic first aid kit – bandaids are always needed
– food – we carry ERbar emergecy ration food provisions
– clothes – extra socks, shoes, layered clothing
What an awesome little tool to add to my “tool bag”. I almost always (95%) have my “Mother load” Camelbak. I use the 100 ounce water bladder throughout the year regardless of temperature because of a service related injury during my 22 year career in the Army (infantry the whole time). I have been a “hot weather casualty” 4 times and so my “internal thermostat” is jacked up. I live and work in a rural part of eastern Kentucky and my one way commute is less than 40 miles. So if SHTF and my car breaks down I am prepared to walk home.
Five things I carry: 1.Sig Sauer P220 .45ACP. 2. Water. 3. 3 different types of knives. 4. First aid kit. 5. 1 MRE.
1. I’m with D on the poncho with liner
2. Para-cord
3. Food MRE entrees and Mountain House pouch
4. Kukri knife
5. XD .45 with ammo and pistol belt
I always carry fire stater, folding knife, money, and Gerber multitool
70 series 45/spare mags,Gerber mark2,magnesium stick with striker, camelback w/purification tabs, first aid kit.
Hmmm…the 5 most important things in my “Get Home Bag”?
1. Beretta .40
2. Mossberg 12ga.
3. AR-15
4. AK-47
5. 10×12 Tarp (cause you’v gotta keep your guns dry)
LOL, Seriously…1. Gerber Warrant knife, 2. Fire Starter, 3. First Aid Kit, 4. Mini Ceramic Water Pump Filter, 5. Nebo JAG™ 210 Lumen Flashlight
In no particular order:
Paracord
Poncho
Knife
Fire Steel
Stainless Steel Water Bottle – FULL!!!
The top five items in my get home bag are…
1) keltec pf9
2) water bottle ( would love to add the life straw to this)
3) Ifak
4) calories in the form of cliff bars
5) spare cash
These items are addition to my everyday carry and are stored in a messenger bag in my vehicle in case I’m forced to deviate from a simple drive home from work.
The top 5 items in my bag are
1. Water (I would love to have the life straw with this)
2. Multi-purpose tool
3. Hiking boots
4. Blanket
5. Granola/energy bars
I prefer the $20 Sawyer Mini filter, which the package says can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water.