Reddit mentions: The best camping & hiking water purifiers

Male, not a camp counselor here, but here is what I take for a work trip. Only difference between that and a personal trip is I don't take 3 button up shirts, i just wear the one button up and use the merino t shirts as undershirts:

Pictures of my stuff
*I've updated a few things from what is in the pictures

• 3x Van Heusen Traveler button ups (For work)
  
• 1x Icebreaker Button up merino wool shirt (worn)
  
• 1x [Packable down jacket](https://www . amazon . com/gp/product/B01G613V0M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• 2x Wooly merino wool t shirts (1x worn)
  
• 2x Pair wool socks (1x worn)
  
• 1x Makers and Riders 3 season jeans/pants OR
  
• 1x Thunderbolt Original Jeans
  
• 1x Rip Curl Men's Mirage Boardwalk
  
• 1x JBL travel speaker
  
• 1x Shoes*
  
• 1x Amazon FireStick
  
• 1x Lightening to HDMI adapter
  
• 2x Lightening cables
  
• 2x MicroUSB cables
  
• 1x Columbia rain jacket
  
• 1x SeaToSummit hanging bathroom kit, small
  
• 1x battery powered toothbrush
  
• 1x travel toothpaste
  
• 1x SeaToSumit hand soap leafs
  
• 1x shaving razor
  
• 1x Nose/Ear trimmer plus extra batteries
  
• 1x Floss
  
• 1x Axe travel deodorant
  
• 1x Dr Bronners soap
  
• 1x Tea Tree hair and body lotion
  
• 1x travel loofa
  
• 1x Grayl water bottle, empty (OR my Kleen Kanteen, but i'm liking the Grayl for filtering groty tasting hotel water)
  
  The Boardwalk shorts are pretty great since they look like regular shorts, but are quick dry so you can swim in them too.
  I've had the Thunderbolt pants for a few weeks now, and they are amazing. I don't want to wear any other kind of pants now lol! I wear them around town, rock climbing, hanging around the house. I wash them about once a week.
  
  Shoes
  (for work I have some Johnston and Murphy slip on's, but for personal, I'm still experimenting. My feet seem to be the most comfortable in Salomon's. I have some Salomon XA Pro 3D's right now, but I've read that they're not really designed for walking/hiking all day as they are trail runners and the tread can wear out fast in the wrong places. Merrel Moab Ventilator's i wish didn't make my arch's hurt after a whole day of walking because they're a great shoe. I'm going to try some other brands and types, but I'd really try to find one that looks good enough to wear in town and has some outdoor qualities to them)
  
  
  Laptop area
  
  1x Laptop (either work laptop or my Chromebook or Surface3)
  1x laptop charger
  1x HDMI cable
  1x bag of extra AA and AAA batteries
  2x USB drives
  

The thing with bug out bags is first figuring out where you're going to bug out to and how you're going to get there. Do you have relatives that live 100 miles away? If so can you walk there if your car is unusable? I'm still struggling with this as my family is in the exact opposite direction of where I'd want to bug out to in a disaster/ SHTF situation.

Unfortunately, BOB's can get pretty expensive quickly - I picked my bag and contents for an indefinite bug out so naturally I ended up spending a good amount of $ on it - BUT spaced out purchases throughout many months as I also didn't have the money to be spending all at once.

Anyway, if you want to keep it under $50, I'd suggest looking for second hand bags....even for a halfway decent one, this can bring your budget to at least half that. Ideally, you'll want one with an internal frame and a belt strap. This will keep the weight off your shoulders and distributed evenly throughout - this is especially important if you plan on walking a bunch of miles. If you're not planning on walking far, then this isn't much of an issue but to me, bugging out assumes some walking involved.

Following the survival rule of 3's, the first item you'll need to address is some sort of shelter. Get some 550 paracord and a decent tarp. This shouldn't cost too much and you can make a quick & easy A frame type shelter. Even a few heavy duty trash bags could go a long way (ie solar shower, solar still).

I'd def get at least a light summer sleeping bag unless you feel ok sleeping on a bundle of pine sprigs. Do you have decent hiking boots and wool socks ready to go? I see a lot of bug out bags skimping on this but to me is one of the most important things to have.

Can you start a fire with the fire striker you have? How about if the ground is wet? Not saying you need to get one of these but also not sure if you would be able to process wood with a leatherman.

Next is water. Do you have a cup/ canteen to hold/ boil water in? If you're on the run, get something like this. But if you have time to boil any stagnant water, the canteen with cup linked above is a good idea to have.

For food, yeah protein bars, cans of tuna are cheap and good to have. I got a few of these. But they actually get kinda heavy quick (3 days worth of food in one block). For longer term, I'm currently looking into a decent fishing rod and setting snares.

Hope this helps! If you want to spend a bit more $ I can share with you some of the other contents I have..

I've always loved my First Need purifier. Its not the cheapest, lightest or coolest-looking unit, but I am always impressed by how easy it is to use, how fast it pumps water, and how good the water tastes. My friends have other filters, but after seeing mine in action, they always end up borrowing it. You just screw it onto your nalgene and youre good to go. It pumps both ways too, so while you are pumping there is constantly water flowing. Also worth mentioning: it filters out viruses, which a lot of other filters won't do (which is why people are suggesting tabs).

Link

Pro tip: use a rubber band to hold a coffee filter around the filter pod. It makes pumping a little harder, but keeps the big stuff out and saves you from trying to clean out the little filter pod.

Get yourself a first aid kit. Buy some bic lighters. Buy some cordage. Get yourself a multi tool or simple knife. Get a tarp. Buy something to filter or treat water. That outta meet your immediate needs for a few survival situations.

Surviveware Small First Aid Kit for Backpacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGSLB6K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CdLnDbV6F8BD4

BIC Lighter Classic, Full Size 12 Pieces, Bulk Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMVL206/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_viLnDbNCA2J5C

PARACORD PLANET 100' Hanks Parachute 550 Cord Type III 7 Strand Paracord Top 40 Most Popular Colors (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GG0RLJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ijLnDbWKWWT7C

Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, Fieldmaster Pocket Knife, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IOI0NC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9jLnDbXDQ4F0G

Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket - Insulated Thermal Reflective Tarp - 60" x 82". All-Weather, Reusable Emergency Blanket for Car or Camping (Olive Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6NC8XU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_plLnDbT9PE2Q4

PURINIZE - The Best and Only Patented Natural Water Purifying Solution - Chemical Free Camping and Survival Water Purification (8 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZZP1VG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6mLnDbFS98KKN

Rocket Stove. I am surprised no one mentioned this already. You can boil a gallon of water in 20min if you are out of the wind and not in freezing temps with sticks you find on the ground. Propane will run out. You can use a rocket stove with twigs and sticks you can find everywhere or even charcoal.

I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/EcoZoom-Versa-Rocket-Stove/dp/B005GQZ4O0

I have owned the single fuel one as well. Get the dual fuel one. Whats the difference? The single has a single door and just a burn chamber. The dual has 2 doors as pictured with a cast iron grate in between. It allows for better burn and more airflow. You can also use charcoal in it. Charcoal works great. Stock up on it. When you can use twigs/kindling. Charcoal last pretty long compared to wood in one of these.

When I lived in a condo I got one of these because I could use all the sticks and twigs from all the trees we had. I also kept several bags of charcoal on hand. I have used this camping and just messing around to cook steaks, stir fry, boil water etc. You can foodsaver and freeze foods then boil water to heat them. I would recommend having a spacer in the bottom of your boiling pot. If you dont your foodsaver bags will melt and tear. Then you have stew regardless of what you were cooking. Dont ask me how I know this just take my word for it. The jar spacer from a water bath canner will work. The grill from a small charcoal grill will work. Just something to keep the bags off the bottom of the pot. Rocket stoves get insanely hot.

They work. Highly recommended for prep use.

I keep mine in a 6gal bucket along with a large spring form pan side(wind screen that mine came with), small brush saw, cotton ball fire starters, multiple lighters and even a magnesium fire starter.

You can add one of these WAPIs and then you can pasteurize water instead of boiling. Takes less time uses less fuel and water is safe to drink. https://www.amazon.com/Sunflair-Water-Pasteurization-Indicator-WAPI/dp/B00F7104EY/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1483382977&sr=1-1&keywords=wapi

My girlfriend and I invested in the First Need XLE before we left. I was skeptical about carrying it but she insisted to help save the planet. It was the best choice we could have made. Boiling is not practical if you're always on the move and versus buying bottled water this has more than broken even in just a few months of travel.

When looking into water filters first be sure you have one rated as a "purifier" any labeled "filter" will normally take out larger protozoa like giardia but still let viruses and other baddies through.

Once you have the right class of protection look at the throughput. Yeah this baby is bulky, but at 2L/min it only takes us a few minutes to fill up for a day or two. Water is something you need constantly, you don't want to make it a chore.

Source: Three months into a trip through central/south america. Use this almost every day.

Basically you got a kit that is a GearWhores dream, what you don't have is a kit that will keep you alive for more than a few days.

1. I want you to pile up all this shit you call a kit on Floor
   
2. Place an empty box on your bed and put the following in it:
   A) the ability to clean and carry water.
   B) the ability to make fire.
   C) shelter to keep dry/warm (a simple poncho and Mylar Blankets at first)
   
   At this point you could live for a couple weeks, and you've spent $40+ cost of pack
   
   D) food, start with compact shelf stable foods, like the dry emergency rations or these.
   A couple weeks worth is like $20, now if you ration you could live for over a month.
   
   3)Now throw away everything else left on the floor.
   As the other person pointed out you have 60+ pounds of junk. That fact is a kit to keep you alive for over a month should cost $60 and fit in a shoe box.

Ideas for those in this sub that are close to florida, in florida, or in Texas, and are in need of help or assistance:

• portable water filter/bottle. Own one of these and taking it camping all the time. Could be useful
  
  
• camping stove good for emergencies. Again I have one that i use when i am in the woods for a couple of days. Could be a life saver.
  
  
• portable solar panel another great purchase.
  
  OP, I am good. Don't need anything! Just making some suggestions for those that could be in need after Harvey or Irma

If you live near a park/greenbelt system, just put on your most comfortable athletic shoes and pack your daypack. It will probably be easy, level walking and no getting lost. It will let you see how well your shoes treat you. There are usually walking or driving routes in state parks, wildlife management areas, and wildlife refuges. Often with easy, short loops. Some ski areas have walking trails in the off season. There are also various group hikes offered by birding groups or community education. Bring some moleskin for blisters (cut into strips at home), sunscreen, and water purification tabs like these. Maybe add a cheap flashlight or headlamp and bug repellent. There’s been some great advice about what else to pack. After a while, you’ll develop a system that works for you.

Good choice on the REI flash pack. Mine has lasted a few backpacking trips, and it was great just rolling it up into nothing. Don't be afraid to wear it on your chest when you're carrying extra stuff. You'll look weird, but it's much better to carry/stow your camera quickly that way. Also quick access to snacks. Also, less unnerving than having your expensive lenses on your back, out of sight as you wade through crowds.

I don't see a waterbottle in your pack, but I might have missed it. Grab a Nalgene, and and these if you're in any areas where water will be a bit questionable.

You'll probably find that you won't use many of your toiletries, minus soap and sunscreen. Good luck and have fun!

Boiling water in steel is not a minimalist solution. If your goal is to simplify your kit - you are headed down the wrong path.

A dropper bottle of AquaMira or Bleach is a more versatile/effective/light/cheap solution. People also bring AquaMira or Iodine tablets as their backup purification method.

• https://www.amazon.com/Aquamira-Chlorine-Dioxide-Treatment-Bottles/dp/B000OR111G
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Potable-Aqua-Chlorine-Dioxide-Purification/dp/B000IBY64W
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Potable-Aqua-Water-Purification-Treatment/dp/B001949TKS
  
  ​
  
  The Sawyer you already have is really the best option. It's quite durable and can be serviced in the field. Paired with the SmartWater bottle it's a great way to clean water. Add a soft bladder like the Evernew or CNOC ones for more flexibility.
  
  ​
  
  However... if you still want a heavy ridgid bottle as a backup water purification system, check these out:
  
  
• https://www.vargooutdoors.com/titanium-water-bottle-with-ti-lid.html
  
• https://www.stanley-pmi.com/shop/adventure-the-nesting-two-cup-cookset
  
• https://snowpeak.com/collections/cookware/products/trek-700-titanium

OP, you don't seem to be getting the best advice in this thread so I'll just remind you that if you truly want to be able to drink ANY water you find then you will need something that removes, for example, agricultural fertilizers and other chemicals as well as viruses. In this case, nothing that you ADD to the water will make it safe to drink. Not UV light, not chemicals, not heat. You must have a purifier that REMOVES all of the organic and inorganic matter from the water.

You also mentioned "heavy metals" - my understanding is that purifiers are not intended (or able) to filter out dissolved salts and minerals, including heavy metals. Activated charcoal is able to remove a bit but water that is truly contaminated long-term with fully dissolved metals is pretty much undrinkable. Are you planning on camping near areas where there is a lot of mining activity? If not then I wouldn't worry about the heavy metals specifically.

https://www.amazon.com/General-Ecology-First-Elite-Purifier/dp/B00AI91958

Personally, i'd bring a 1L Smart Water bottle filled and refill on the trail. You'll need a method of purification if you choose to do this, I highly recommend Aquamira. Actually, you should bring a purification method either way.

I have a Hennessy and absolutely love it - make sure you practice setting it up a few times before heading out.

It sounds like you've got a nice trip ahead of you, where are you looking at going?

That's pretty cool, a bit pricey and slower than I'd like (1.6 gal per hour of hand operation) but useful for sure.

OK, thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to add the 550 cord. Pepper spray is another good defensive option that isn't banned in the People's Republic of Chicago. You've also sold me on the stainless steel canteen, so consider that and some water purification tablets added, too.

There are many {#1, #2, #3} cheap water purification tablets that when paired with propel mix-ins provide a great and clean taste. That is if you're worried about the quality/taste of the water from a tap.

I've found that these work great on a trip, they are less expensive (long run) than bottled water.

I have placed an order with everyone's suggestions in mind for a starter BOB. Thank you everyone for your input.

Here is what it is looking like so far:

Bag: I'm just going to use a northface bag I have that still appears new after 4+ years of use. Was my college bag originally so was used everyday. Very well built.
Here it is for reference

Knife: Since I freed up some money, I went ahead and picked up the Kabar also grabbed a leather sheath. Hopefully I don't get flack for it having a USMC logo on it. It is their knife anyway after-all.

Multitool Decided I probably would need a multitool of some sort.

Nalgene bottle and cup Thanks for alerting me to the cup, I didn't know these exist and should come in handy.

First aid kit based on suggestions.

Sawyer mini water filter

Saw chain was questioned but after watching the user video of him sawing through a tree in like 5 seconds I'm sold. I've tried cutting wood with machetes and hatchets and it is a PITA.

Emergency Blankets can't be too warm I feel.

Rations I will be taking at least 6 days worth.

Emergency Tent Will need to see how big this is. I might just get a tarp for my eno.

Compass

Cordage

Water treatment tablets

Headlamp

Emergency Bivvy

I also have a Ruger LCP with ~100 rounds I will toss in. I need to make copies of all of my documents to include. I already have a tactical flashlight to put in but will need some extra batteries. I have extra glasses to include. Have some flint and steel and bic lighters to include. Considering some sort of magnifying lense. The eno hammock, some jeans, a sweatshirt, rain jacket, and cap will be included. Also some sunglasses. I need to grab some duct tape, charger/radio, some sort of ereader or survival book, and probably a dozen other things I can't think of right now.

I will also need to make one for my 100lb black lab since I realized I wouldn't be able to leave him behind. Going to start training him to hike and carry a pack etc to have him ready. Ultimately he could become a major asset.

You'll need lodging, so either a tent or a plain cot. Basically you're wanting a "minimalist" camping kit. As far as water, I use these water purification tablets. Work like a charm as long as you can find a stream/river/lake. If you start with that (and obviously food) you'll find things over the years that you find repeatedly useful and start taking with you every time.

I absolutely loved the Steripen Ultra

It's rechargeable via micro USB which you'll most likely already have a cord if you are bringing an android phone.

The biggest issue you'll have is pre-filtering the water but I just did the bandana trick to filter out big particulates. If I wasn't too lazy that is. :)

I'm pretty sure it only disinfects because it gets heated up. Sadly, that's only UV-C radiation that does that, and that is filtered out almost 100% by the atmosphere. UV-A and UV-B doesn't really do this. You CAN however buy a steripen for clear water

http://www.amazon.com/SteriPEN-Traveler-Portable-Handheld-Purifier/dp/B0041EB6EU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416079178&sr=8-1&keywords=steripen

If you really want to go techy, you could rig a hand crank flash light to double as a AA battery charger and have virtually unlimited purifications, but then it's getting overly complicated and you might as well have just used the iodine.

EDIT: I just looked it up, turns out UV-A IS in fact enough to do disrupt the DNA structure of pathogens.

http://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/how-to-purify-water-with-sunlight/

It all depends on what "meaningful quantities" means. :)

If you can use a tool like this (or 2 or 3) for everyday toilet flushing and bathing, then maybe you don't need do much of that canned blue water. If you expect to be on water that's gathered for years, then no solution will be economical.

Even a SteriPen won't last you in that scenario.

So once you ID how long we're talking, it's easier to find a solution.

Something for 3 days isn't suitable for a 3 years situation, but also, vice versa.

I am shocked that I haven't seen anything related to water sources. I would definitely have a water filtration system in my top 5 items to have for a backpacking trip. I have an MSR water filter and it's perfect (https://www.amazon.com/MSR-MiniWorks-Microfilter-Purifier-System/dp/B078T9Z5N9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=msr+water+pump&qid=1550076128&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1)

Land is always owned, either by the goverment or privately. Just going out randomly might get you in trouble- probably no more than a fine but still.

Most national parks I believe allow for dispersed camping, which is what you want- no services, nothing prefabricated. Looks like there are five places in California for it.

Dangers... Getting lost is a biggie- been too long since I camped off fabricated sites so can't help you much there.

Water is a biggie, no matter how clear the river or lake, never drink directly from it if you can help it or you may get sick- you'll need to boil it or use Water purification tabs- best to take some of those with you even if you don't plan on using the things. Dehydration is also a killer while camping- make sure you drink enough each day.

Fire is obviously important- and in california, you gotta be extremely careful not to, well, burn down the forest or what have you. Dig a fire pit, and make sure the area around it is cleared of dried grass, and have a bucket of sand or something to pour on the fire when you're done with it. I'd recommend a flint and steel and firestarters for emergencies even if you plan on bringing matches or a lighter.

Food obviously comes next- I'd highly recommend you plan for the possibility you find absolutely nothing edible and bring enough food for that eventuality.

Wildlife, honesty the most important thing is keeping your food away from you- tie your pack up in a tree while you're sleeping, tightly seal any food you didn't eat or burn it or bury it away from your campsite, and you'll reduce the problems greatly.

Although you say there will be clean water you can never be too safe with it. Pick up some cheap lightweight water purification tablets also you should really just get a pack cover to be safe.

I posted about it, but I've heard good things about these reducing heavy metal concentrations in water. And they are a lot cheaper than they were a few years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Puralytics-SolarBag-Water-Purifier-3-Litre/dp/B00OK5BDNE

Aqua! (You know, the band that sang the Barbie song? .."Im a barbie girl, in a barbie woooooooorld, dressed in plastic, its fantastic!" ... i can't believe i just sang that.. oye... lol

Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets

there's a bunch on Amazon :)

Amazon Reviews

Here is all you need to not worry, pal!

Firearm!

Ammunition

Rations

For water!

For Shelter!

Hatchet!

Fire!

More Fire!

Or you could just spend $15 on MSR Sweet Water Purifier Solution.

Or $40 on a SteriPen, if you don't want to mess up the flavor.

I was looking at these for water treatment maybe instead of the sawyer, just to save some money
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets (50 Tablets) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001949TKS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-MttzbVDZ4CZQ

in Mustafa I bought a 2 litre bottle for 80 cents.

For reference, In India it costs about 70 cents for the same so pretty cheap.

Do you know where else can I get some cheap bottled water? I am used to drinking RO water in India and I cant seem to drink the tap water here.. it always makes me fall ill(fucked bowel cycle).

Do we have RO water purifiers here for home use? something like this

Whatever filter you end up going with, I would STRONGLY recommend keeping some iodine or similar tablets with you. (I use this brand.) Any filter can fail or get contaminated, and a small pack of purification tablets costs <$10, lasts four years unopened or one year opened, and weighs ~2oz, so there's very little reason to not carry some as a backup.

Do be aware that not every purification method gets every kind of contaminant - most purification tablets don't get Cryptosporidium, for example, so it's often a good idea to think about what's in the areas you plan to be hiking in. Crypto, for example, mostly comes off of farm animal runoff, so I don't worry about it when I'm in the mountains collecting water from snowmelt or springs with no farming upstream.

So much scepticism. Guys this concept does work, you can create this sort of pressure by hand an ounce of water every two minutes can be done with survival RO units.

Hand RO units have been on the go for a long time, Katadyn make them. Here's an example. http://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-8013418-Survivor-06-Desalinator/dp/B000F395X0

I would also recommend water treatment tablets. The water supply could be undrinkable for days, and you may run out of potable water supply.

Pet food, extra set of shoes/sneakers, and spare eyeglasses.

Additionally, I keep a kit in my car, and one in my home.

I like Chlor-floc or alternatively Aquamira drops. Just don't let them freeze.

If you're not worried about viruses, this is a better option. If you are worried about viruses I'd get a Steripen in addition to that. With some iodine, bleach or aquamira as a backup for course.

Commercial version: http://www.amazon.com/Aquamate-Solar-Emergency-Purification-Inflatable/dp/B004TOAELS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381384599&sr=8-1&keywords=solar+still

Not that great - you can probably build one that is more efficient

I'll be updating my setup with the bigger sawyer filter and adapter to increase the flow rate. The mini works fine but takes probably a minute to get 2 cups into my pot. Here's what I'll be buying:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1OSU4W

https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Inline-Adapters-Screw-Filters/dp/B0118BBKNA/ref=pd_sim_468_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=31Bex5mURoL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=R60R76W4Q5BNH9GSF9JG

He had inflatable solar stills.

Of course nowadays they have a pump-able water desalinator

https://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-8013418-Survivor-06-Desalinator/dp/B000F395X0

Not cheap!

Already exist I believe. https://www.amazon.com/Aquamate-Solar-Emergency-Purification-Inflatable/dp/B004TOAELS

That would be water treatment/purification tablets, which they have, not dehydrated water.

Random!

Jiggery-pokery This

https://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-8013418-Survivor-06-Desalinator/dp/B000F395X0

This one is cheaper, holds more water, and also has a UV light for disinfection.

Reverse osmosis has no real debilitating effects, it's already in use to produce commercial drinking water, and it can easily be scaled down to devices with a pump that can filter more or less anything out of water, you can also use sugar to power it (if you put sugar on the dry side, the sugar will suck the water out of the salt water, giving you a drinkable solution with no energy input).

The issue with these devices are that you generally need very powerful pumps with large energy demands, because to get decent flow you need a high pressure, this graphene thing says they can reduce the power needed by the pump significantly (and then it goes onto claim that it wouldn't use energy, which is false, though it may be low enough to be a non-issue). Of course graphene is ridiculously expensive right now so it's not worth it (yet).

I think any time you are looking for something that can deal with sea water, it's probably an emergency desalinator that is kept as standard equipment on life rafts and such. But unfortunately this type of pump desalinators are exceptionally expensive.

There are cheaper options using reverse osmosis kits but are still fairly expensive for the purpose of handling water (i.e. one time use kit), in addition to requiring quite some time for them to work.

iodine tablets

http://www.amazon.com/Potable-Aqua-Water-Treatment-Tablets/dp/B001949TKS

Did this when spending a week hiking/camping in Kentucky. We'd just fill up our water bottle in the river/stream and then throw in a couple tabs. Made the water taste a little funny, but noone in our group suffered from any diarrhea or vomiting the entire trip.

If you have the time/tools, boiling is probably the way to go.

I got one of these ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BBGQA6?pc_redir=1395429768&robot_redir=1 )when I worked at a outdoor store...the batteries are kinda a pain to find but they last a long time and it's simple (and crazy light). But as usual YMMV

Good looking cup. I would advise against drinking from rivers and streams. If an animal dies/defecates upstream and you drink that water, your not in for a fun hike. Violent bloody stools in between blackouts is 100% hellish. Get a nice UV water purifier pen if you want to keep drinking from streams.

Alright here we go...now what I got, I tried to price compare and review compare. Some stuff may be better elsewhere but it's what I went with regardless.

There are some products that I already have from camping so I didn't feel the need to double up. I also plan on supplementing the packs with more food and obviously water as well as medicine, change of clothes and a few other things. I also plan on adding a few things to the medkit, more aspirin, some more realistic materials as well. So all in all I felt this was a pretty solid starter survival kit for most situations. Just something to grab for a few days if shit hits the fan. It's going in my truck where some other camping gear already is (Axe, shovel, wd-40, lighters, mace, knives)

Only product I would buy differently would be the backpack. I didn't realize it ships from China, I'd only buy somewhere else due to the 1 month shipping time. (I didn't catch that initially) there's some decent similarly priced backpacks available elsewhere that will be at your door within a few days.


$13 - S.O.S. Rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Bar - 2 Pack - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFOF2DG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$3 SE 6-in-1 Survival Whistle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C31AGC/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$6 ER Emergency Ready Thermal Mylar Blankets, Pack of 4 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DEYGJQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$40 Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank AM/FM/NOAA Digital Radio, Flashlight, Cell Phone Charger http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B9HRJI4/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$8 Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001949TKS/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$9 8' X 10' Blue Multi-Purpose 6-mil Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8x10 Tent Shelter Camping Tarpaulin by Grizzly Tarps http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053QUAAG/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$6 Survivor HK-106320 Outdoor Fixed Blade Knife 7 Overall WITH FIRE STARTER http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00178CS4K/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$9 5038-3 PK Fix-It DUCTape 1.87-Inches x 60-Yards, 7-Mil, 3-Pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KQ6682/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$40 Outt(TM) Sport Outdoor Military Rucksacks Compact Assault Pack Camping Hiking Trekking Bag http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Military-Rucksacks-Compact-Trekking/dp/B00HWR37KE/ref=sr_1_4?m=A15PKGU8PFZ6QO&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1396882222&sr=1-4&keywords=Sport+Outdoor+Military+Rucksacks+Compact+Assault+Pack+Camping+Hiking+Trekking+Bag

$32 Fully Stocked MOLLE Tactical Trauma Kit First Aid Pouch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TL2NX4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$5 550lbs. Military Paracord Type III Rope 100' Foliage Green http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B6LFWE/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Total price for everything: $171 Probably spend another 30 or less on food/water/extras

Exactly! From the beginning of this I have said that it NEVER hurts to be ready for the worst. Where I live we get a lot of earth quakes and I am sure within my life we'll get a nasty one. Our building codes are VERY strict and I don't fear that my place will tip over, but the power grid in the US is VERY old and in need of repair badly.

We lost power out here two years ago over about 2 days and people were freaked out. What happens when something really bad happens and it's a week or two weeks with no power, no gas, the food starts dwindling and people are running around like crazy trying to get food to eat.

I'll have my MRE's not the best food in the world, but damn I won't starve to death. I think about prepping hardly ever and I need to get my self re situated and make sure I have everything back together again. I even made a list here for people who were new to prepping. My list is far from a complete list of things one would like to have, but it has the essentials.

My personal Kit:

Item| Cost | Unit

--|:--|:--
Water | $1.00 | 1 Gallon / person / day
DYI Meals Ready to Eat | $3.50 | Per Unit
Life Straw | $19.99 | 1
50 FT of Utility Rope | $11.49 | 1
Multitool - Leatherman | $27.00 | 1
Flashlight - Crank LED | $9.99 | 1
Potable Water Treatment Tablets | $5.99 | 1
Magnesium Fire Starter | $4.33 | 1
Trash Bag | $0.50 | 2
Vitamins | $15.27 | 1
Total | $99.56 |
_ | |
Added for EVD | |
Latex Gloves | $9.34 | 1
Option A| |
Reperator | $28.90 | 1
Replacement Filter | $8.90 | 1
Option B| |
N95 Mask| $14.79 | 10
| |
Total A| $47.14 |
Total B| $24.13 |
| |
Grand Total A| $146.70 |
Grand Total B| $123.69 |

The fact of the matter is that the subreddit for the most part seems to be under the illusion that if you don't live in West Africa you are 100% safe, which is a dangerous thought to have.

As /u/snorgsniffer said yesterday

>When confronted with dire circumstances beyond their control, humans predictably engage in one of the following behaviors:

> Denial
> Delusion
> Distraction
> Dismissal
> * Drugs / Drink (altered state of consciousness)

>All of those things result in still another "D"... delay
It's clear that both the victims and potential responders are engaging in "D behaviors" at this time.

>My point? It is almost impossible to change someone's mind using logical argument when their conclusion is an irrational, emotional one. They just burrow deeper into their chosen coping behavior when forced to look even more closely at the thing which frightened them so badly in the first place.

>Though not directly news related, I think understanding the psychological underpinnings of the outbreak is important when interpreting the nuts & bolts side of it. This sub seems to me like a good place to see it discussed. There are some really bright people here.

A lot of people are giving voice to their coping mechanisms of denial to make themselves feel better. I don't think their attitude will change until the numbers reach upwards of 50,000 and the people start fleeing and spreading this crap all over the globe.