[pct-l] water straw; SODIS water disinfection

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Mad Hatter,

I have not used the straw filter, but a hiking friend tried one – for a
short while.  He said -- as Dan Africk mentioned – that the effort to draw
water through the straw was disturbing.  It worked, but he never could get
the satisfaction of a good, big gulp.  As a result he usually didn’t drink
as much as he should have.  It might have worked better in a sip-hose from a
hydration bladder, but he didn't try that.



I don’t know what they cost, but I’ve thought of getting one just to keep in
my car.



Welcome to the PCT and enjoy your hike,



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 1:22 AM, Dan Africk <danstheman at gmail.com> wrote:

> I think the problem with a water straw, and to an extent any in-line
> filter,
> is that it takes a lot of effort to "suck" the water through the filter. As
> a result I think you are likely to drink less water, and increase the
> danger
> of dehydration. The problem would only get worse as the filter gets
> clogged,
> which could happen pretty quickly since some water straws have really small
> filter elements. It also seems like quite a hassle to carry a bottle of
> contaminated water, and every time you want to take a drink you have to
> take
> out your straw, open the cap, insert your straw, then put away the
> straw....too many steps.
>
> Another issue is that you won't be able to use any drink mixes, protein
> shakes, or anything like that unless you boil water. This may or may not be
> an issue for you. Also keep in mind that some of these straws also contain
> iodine. I think you're best bet is to use a full-size pump filter, or if
> you
> don't mind chemicals go with chlorine dioxide.
>
> In theory you could carry a clear bottle or water bag and use the solar
> water disinfection method, at least in the desert. Since most people carry
> these anyway, its zero additional weight. You'd have to wait 6 hours before
> your water was safe, though: http://www.sodis.ch/index_EN
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