Obviously this clip has nothing to do with water filtration, but I can't think about the prospect of running out of water while hiking without the famous Bear Grylls coming to mind (and maybe I just wanted to share it because it's a bit hilarious, really).
I don't care what anyone says about Man vs Wild, you can't deny its entertainment value. Where else can you see a guy drink his own pee, sleep inside a hollowed-out camel carcass, don a wetsuit that he made himself out of seal-skin, or give himself an enema with bird poo-contaminated water... Okay maybe not so much that last one. Nobody wants to see that (psst... I linked it to the YouTube video just in case).
But I digress... I'm supposed to be talking about the LifeStraw, which is an awesome water filtration device that I have to say I've fallen a bit in love with. Initially designed to be distributed to people in developing nations, or affected by crisis situations, the LifeStraw is the simplest water filtration device I've ever owned.
No storage containers necessary, no tubes to attach, no hand-pumping required, and no need to worry about chemicals or batteries... Just put one end in your mouth, the other in the water, and suck. It's as simple as that. It does require a little more sucking power than a regular straw, but the flow rate is pretty good. You don't end up feeling like your head will implode.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
LifeStraw filters waterborne bacteria and protozoa down to 0.2 microns, and is said to remove 99% of water-borne bacteria. It exceeds the EPA guidelines for E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium oocysts. It's still best to filter out any sediment or debris from the water first so as not to block the filter, but if it does block it can usually be fixed by blowing out.
Designed to provide one person with safe drinking water for a whole year, it's advertised as being capable of filtering 1000 litres of water. If you don't intend to use water for cooking this could be used as a primary filtration method a multi-day trip, but I prefer to keep mine for emergencies. I never head off on a day-hike without it, and bring it as well as my SteriPEN on overnighters. At only 10 inches long by 1 inch in diameter, and weighing only 56 grams, it isn't much extra to carry.
The best part about all of this is that for every LifeStraw sold via their website, they've pledged to a humanitarian aid project through Rotary International. If it wasn't already a tempting purchase at $30AU, this would be enough to make my decision for me. Get on it.
I received a LifeStraw to review, and one to give away to Bushwalkng Blog readers, but to be honest I actually requested them myself when I stumbled across them online... I was sold before I'd even tried it out, and it didn't disappoint.
- Just sign up to the newsletter for the chance to win a LifeStraw.
- The competition closes at 2pm on Thursday 20th of June. If you aren't signed up by that time, you will not be considered.
- All existing subscribers will be automatically entered into the competition.
- Entry is only open to Australian residents.
- The draw will take place as soon as possible after the closing time.
- I will assign numbers to each subscriber and use the Random.org true random number generator to choose the two winners.
- The winner will be contacted by e-mail and once contacted, will be announced on Twitter and Facebook.
- If I'm unable to contact a winner within 72 hours, the competition will be re-drawn.
Have you used the LifeStraw? What do you think? If you have anything to say, please leave a comment below.
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The post Review: LifeStraw: A simple water filtration device that could save your life (& WIN one of your own) appeared first on Bushwalking Blog.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.