Posts tagged Vital

Imagine a walk through some of the richest forests and the most beautiful in the middle of nowhere. The air is fresh and everything seems so perfect and flawless. You’re thirsty and a little stream of fresh water is clear, is ahead of you. Of course, you feel the need to drink this water source, but it is unwise. Most people think that because the water comes from a natural source, clear and tastes “natural”, it means that there will be drinking in order. It is a terrible mistake and expose you to unnecessary risks. Do not drink untreated water in the desert!

For most people, always with a glass of water is a matter of few meters, turn the tap and drink. But in tents or script usually simple task of walking is a bit more difficult. In general, the safest option if you’re in the desert, is simply to bring the treated water. However, if you opt for a night hike or camp this simply not an option because you might not be the amount that must be the only option is water, as a hiking or trekking source field . treat

Impurities
Water from natural sources such as lakes taken, may resemble the river, streams and ponds clean and has no smell or taste undesirable. However, pathogens in water are not only harmful, but are also visible to the naked eye and may be odorless or tasteless. Pathogens are bacteria involved, viruses and protozoa that can cause mild nausea and fever or develop more serious illnesses such as severe diarrhea, hepatitis and typhoid. Water from lakes, rivers, streams and ponds should always be disinfected and treated before being used for cooking or drinking.

These pathogens can not belong in this pristine environment, but seem to decay or feces in the water carries these pathogens. This means there is a chance that some animals have died or bodily waste water from natural sources, or it can run some out of contaminated water from a source that would make to the source water without knowing it, unusable.

Besides pathogens, sediment, mud, sand or earth and natural sources can render water unusable. The general practice before the advent of portable water is collected water and let stand in a bowl with a sort of let the sediment accumulating on the ground, then pour the remaining water on top of another container for consumption. This can be a lengthy process and in emergencies in general can not be very practical, especially since the water is still unfit for human consumption, pathogens such as those mentioned above, also in the water and are therefore not treated before consumption.

In an alarming indication of the U.S. Geological Survey has shown that S is in the wild waters in North America are traces of organic chemicals, pesticides, solvents, benzene compounds, refrigerant and fumigant supposedly pristine wilderness waters. The good news is that concentrations of chemical concentrations are very low, but a warning that human activity has an impact on the quality of regional surface water in remote areas.

Water Treatment Equipment for campers / hikers
equipment for water treatment can generally be divided into two groups according to their functions. The first group of devices for water treatment to improve the overall taste, remove odor and appearance of water or unwanted chemicals or minerals, these types of water filters are not considered essential for the camper / hiker to not discuss here. The next group is the treatment devices for water to water, discussed here, since the greatest danger to hikers and campers because of the ingestion disinfect water by pathogens assets, disease.

Chlorination, Iodinators and ultraviolet (UV)
These are generally the most practical means larger quantities of water to drink from a large camping could be disinfected if necessary. Chlorine and iodine kills most pathogens and have short-time mean contact with water before impact. Chlorine is widely used in municipal treated water used and has virtually eliminated shipping of infectious diseases such as typhoid and cholera in urban areas.

However, chlorine and iodine treatment not only eliminates all pathogens, protozoa such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are not killed by chlorination. When protozoa are present or are suspected, it is recommended that the water passes through a water filter with a 0. 1 micro-meter or smaller pore size to eliminate these pests, then treated with chlorine or iodine prior to consumption.

Iodine is another alternative for the disinfection of water, but must be reserved for occasional or emergency. Iodine should not be used as a long term solution for disinfection, as iodine is physiologically active ingestion of large quantities over a long period can also be harmful.

Chlorine and iodine are also looking to kill pathogens declared effective as long-term use of chlorine is dangerous and can be linked to cancer and brain damage, although it will be noted that the means of treatment are used as a last resort when other means of water treatment have been exhausted.

Ultraviolet devices are also effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa. You have nothing to add water as the treated water has no taste or smell, more than a few seconds is exposed necessary if the water is clear. This system is relatively expensive compared to other types of water filters and no guarantee of the quality of the water above the point of use. Basically, if you use the UV light, you should drink immediately, there is no long-term solution where you can store water in a jar for future consumption.

Ceramic or glass fiber filters
These kinds of filters usually in the form of a cartridge for camping and hiking situations arise. They deal with small quantities of water suitable for camping with some people, or if water requirements are not very high. These types of filters can remove most bacteria and protozoa from contaminated water, and light are usually sufficient for the average camper / hiker ‘s needs. In the heavily polluted waters showed, it is recommended that these filters are used in conjunction with chlorination above iodinators and UV lamps to maintain a broad spectrum of disinfection and treatment.

There are also portable fiber / ceramic filters with iodine-releasing resin specially designed for campers and travelers to countries where the quality of drinking water doubtful. Some of these filters and iodine releasing Portable charcoal filter to remove excess iodine from the water.

In general, these types of filters, the most practical when it comes to hiking or camping because of its ease of handling and mobility. If the mobile home of the traveler in search of the natural cycle of water, do not clean excessively dirty, with these kinds of filters before the rest of treatment options is recommended.

Distillers and Ozonators
These devices are not suitable for use where electricity is not like a hiking or camping available. The distillation water filters are selected for the efficient removal of inorganic chemicals such as heavy metals and organic chemicals. They are often combined with activated carbon to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trihalomethanes and Tetrachloroethylene. It should be noted that distilled water, there were quarters say that drinking distilled water is over a longer period to desalinate the origin of diseases were, however, there are no studies to confirm or disprove this theory was his.

Ozonators small amounts of ozone, which is a strong oxidant, is the destruction of pathogens in a short period of time. Ozonation produces no taste or odor in water. In contrast to chlorine and iodine, ozone does not protect the water after use (it is safer to research) and is usually combined with activated charcoal to achieve a more comprehensive water treatment.

Such filters are usually combined with ceramic filter or fiberglass, when a wider range of pollutants in water is used. In general, these types of filters are thicker, and the filter should be used when water is known to be contaminated by these toxic chemicals. Under normal circumstances, this level of filtration is not necessary.

Finally, the main objective of the camper when it comes to their need for water is that water is consumed to ensure freedom from harmful pathogens, chemicals and toxins, so they fall ill during their trip. As the water filter, for example, filtering the more balanced the needs for the camper or hiker would be ceramic or glass water filter, always assuming that water is not polluted.