recommend! Safe guide to drinking water outdoors: How to make sure every sip is safe
In outdoor sports, food and water are the key to survival. About 70% of the human body is made up of water. We continuously lose water through movement, sweating, urination and breathing. Normally, you need to drink 2000cc to 3000cc of water a day, and you need more water during heavy exercise and sunny weather. Therefore, how to obtain and treat drinking water during outdoor activities becomes extremely important.
Water source selection
When choosing a water source, we recommend using a relatively clean water source, such as flowing and clear water. After obtaining the water source, it must be treated to ensure that the drinking water is clean and hygienic.
Still water treatment
When encountering stagnant water sources such as black water pools, first use a turban to filter out large particles of impurities before proceeding with subsequent water treatment. This can reduce the large particle pollutants that may exist in the water and improve the effectiveness of water treatment.
Outdoor drinking water treatment methods
With the advancement of technology, there are many options for outdoor drinking water treatment.
- Boiling method Boiling is the most common method of water treatment since ancient times, which kills germs in water by heating and boiling. Its advantages are that it does not require additional equipment and is simple to operate. Its disadvantages are that it requires additional fuel and time to wait for the water to cool. In the mountains, this is a more energy-intensive method.
- Portable water filter Portable water filters use physical filtration methods. The filter core is usually hollow fiber or ceramic, which can filter out particles larger than 2 microns, thereby filtering out all pathogens such as bacteria and protozoa. Portable water filters are small in size, light in weight, have fast filtration speed and are affordable. It is also very convenient to clean the filter when it is blocked. At present, portable water filters have become the mainstream products for outdoor water treatment and one of the essential personal equipment for outdoor people. Well-known brands include Katadyn BeFree from Switzerland.
- Water Purification Tablets Water purification tablets are a chemical filtration method that kills pathogenic bacteria in drinking water by adding chemicals (usually chlorine and silver ions) to facilitate water preservation. Many military and disaster relief groups choose to use water purification tablets. Its advantages are that it is cheap and lightweight, but its disadvantages are that it takes time for the liquid medicine to react and the treated water has a smell.
- UV light pen The UV light pen uses ultraviolet light to sterilize and destroy the reproduction ability of bacteria and viruses. This type of outdoor product is relatively rare in the Taiwanese market, but its advantages are small size, light weight, and no need to clean the filter. The disadvantage is that it requires electricity and is only suitable for clear water and cannot effectively treat turbid water.
Tips
When using outdoor drinking water treatment methods, you should also pay attention to cherishing the precious water resources in the mountains. Avoid washing dishes, towels and your body in water sources. Use clean containers to scoop water out to shore for washing, and be careful not to pour contaminants back into the stream.
In short, mastering the correct method of outdoor drinking water treatment can not only ensure your health, but also make you feel more at ease during outdoor activities. Learning to select and handle water sources and cherish every drop of water is a basic quality that every outdoor enthusiast should possess.
