Water Filters

What do filters, filter?

Camp/Hiking filters primarily filter out sediment and pathogens (bacteria, protozoans, and viruses). What most filters do not filter out are chemicals, medications, pesticides, and heavy metals.  There are carbon filters that can removed some of these other contaminates.

Safety - All filtering of water is making an educated guess. You are responsible for any decision you make for yourself and family regarding filter of water.

I personally carry a 100 oz Camelbak bladder and *(2) Nalgene water bottles.  Yes this is a lot of water.  Yes its heavy if you count ounces.  Yes you must have water to LIVE.

I also personally employ a two part system.  I first filter all my water with a Sawyer Mini (0.1micron filter).  If I feel the water is sketchy I add Aqua Mira solution.  Additionally I do what I can to check for water information about my local water sources in the area I will be traveling. Once I arrive I assess the area I'm in and make my final decision.  Most parks have information about local water supply either on there websites or when you call the park office.

There are a variety of filters, ceramic, chemical, hollow membrane, carbon among others. Each filter has advantages and disadvantages you have to decide for yourself what would work best for you.

You can read for days about filtering and who's the best.  What you need to consider is what's your goal?  Drinkable water....  And how do you want to achieve that?  Boil, filter, chemicals, or drink and pray?  Your choice.  Good luck.

First Aid - Cuts/Abrasions

First Aid - Cuts/Abrasions

Cuts and abrasions are going to be part of any outdoor adventure or even "end of the world" event.  The key here is to take care of them quickly and prevent infections.  Today infection is typically not a big deal.  If you would happen to get and infection you simple go to the doctor and get an antibiotic.  Out in the wilderness on a weekend hike days from civilization or EMP event and no organized care left a simple infection could kill you.

1)  Clean out the wound with clean water.
2A)  Abrasion - clean and apply ointment, apply light bandage or let it breath

2B)  Small cut - control bleeding and apply small amount of ointment (triple antibiotic ointment), and adhesive bandage (band-aid)

2C)  Large cut/lacerations - control bleeding, apply non adhering dressing, wrap with gauze. (do NOT apply ointment)  Larger wounds, cut/lacerations need time to heal from the inside out.  The ointment may cause the wound to heal on the outside trapping infections leading to bad ju ju.

3)  Keep all wounds clean change bandages regularly.

4)  Keep and eye on the wound for signs of infections; redness, feeling hot, pain unusual for type of wound.

Photo credit: SteadyHealth.com

Things to keep in mind:
1)  Head wounds produce lots of blood quickly.
2)  Blood goes a long way.  Relative to the amount of blood a body holds 8oz of blood looks like 1/2 gallon when you see it spread over a loved one.