Hidden crises in outdoor activities: How to ensure the safety of drinking water, and what is the safest way to handle outdoor drinking water?

Food and water are necessary for human survival. About 70% of the human body is composed of water. During outdoor sports, water is constantly lost through sweating, urination, and even breathing. In a normal day, we will need to add 2000cc to 3000cc of water. If we exercise a lot and the weather is sunny, we will need more water.

(Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment)

Outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and camping all rely on water. Sometimes clear running water may seem extremely pure, but it may contain bacteria, eggs, parasites, etc.

How to choose water source?
We would recommend that you try to get relatively clean water sources. "Flowing, clear" water is of course better. After obtaining the water source, you can then use some drinking water treatment to make the drinking water cleaner and hygienic.

What should you do if you encounter still water sources such as black pools?
If you are taking a still water source such as a black pool, it is recommended to use a bandana to filter out large particles of impurities before treating the water.

(Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment )

With the advancement of science and technology, there are currently several ways to treat outdoor drinking water:

(1) Boiling method

Boiling has been the most common method since ancient times. It uses heat to boil to kill germs in the water, which is very effective. The advantage is that no additional equipment is required, but the disadvantage is that it requires extra fuel and takes time to wait for the water to cool down. It is a relatively energy-consuming method on the mountain.

(Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment)

(2) Portable water filter

Physical filtration method, the filter core includes hollow fiber, ceramics, etc., which can filter out particles larger than 0.2 microns, so it can filter out all bacteria, protozoa, etc., and it can be achieved after filtering out pathogenic bacteria in the water. Standard for raw drinking.

(Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment)

▲ KATADY outdoor water filter (Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment )

With the advancement of science and technology in recent years, filters not only have the advantages of small size, light weight, fast filtration speed and affordable price, but are also very convenient to clean when the filter core is clogged. They have now become the mainstream product for outdoor water treatment, and water filters It has also become one of the personal essential equipment for outdoor people. Well-known brands such as: Katadyn BeFree, MSR, Sywer, etc.

(3) Water purification tablets

Chemical filtration involves adding chemicals to drinking water, usually chlorine plus silver ions, to kill pathogenic bacteria in the water and facilitate the preservation of drinking water; many military and disaster relief groups will choose water purification tablets. The advantage is that it is cheap and lightweight. The disadvantage is that you need to wait for the reaction time of the chemical solution, and the water will smell after treatment.

▲ KATADYN water purification tablets . (Photo/100mountain Baiyue Outdoor Equipment )

(4) UV light pen
Using ultraviolet rays to sterilize is a convenient outdoor product that is rare in Taiwan. Bacteria and viruses that harm the human body can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays to kill them and destroy their ability to reproduce.

• The advantages are small size, light weight, and no need to clean the filter element.
• The disadvantage is that it requires electricity and is only suitable for clear water, not turbid water.

▲Katadyn Steripen UV Water Purifier

Little reminder
When you have water, think about the pain of not having it. In addition to understanding drinking water treatment, you must also learn to cherish the precious water sources in the mountains and avoid washing dishes, towels, and bodies in water source areas. Use clean containers to scoop the water out to the shore for cleaning, and be careful to avoid pouring contamination back into the stream.

KATADYN TAIWAN