Ping.
I saw a commercial for this on DISH 212/The Blaze TV. Looked interesting as a possible addition to the bug-out bag.
Seen it, like the concept, not sure about it
Sounds like it would be good if you have plenty of water available to drink from and not have to filter water to take with you.
Note: It does not remove viruses. Hepatitis and other dangerous diseases are caused by viruses.
It also does not remove chemicals.
Nevertheless, it could be very useful under certain circumstances, such as survival scenarios.
This is what I found here: http://eartheasy.com/lifestraw?gclid=CMb56t-W6rICFQgGnQodyBkAoQ
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
ITEM #: LSPHF017
List price: $22.95
Our price: $19.95
Please note: The LifeStraw currently does not filter heavy metals or viruses, and will not desalinate water.
Note: It does not remove viruses. Hepatitis and other dangerous diseases are caused by viruses.
It also does not remove chemicals.
Nevertheless, it could be very useful under certain circumstances, such as survival scenarios.
This is what I found here: http://eartheasy.com/lifestraw?gclid=CMb56t-W6rICFQgGnQodyBkAoQ
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
ITEM #: LSPHF017
List price: $22.95
Our price: $19.95
Please note: The LifeStraw currently does not filter heavy metals or viruses, and will not desalinate water.
There are several of these types of devices on the market. As water filtration goes, there are three basic types; personal use / portable units (straws, hand pumps, backpacking etc), general use (1 to 4 people, usually hand pumps) and stationary high volume (several gallons, usually gravity fed).
So, the straws generally work for their purpose, though the water is rather nasty tasting. If you are looking at a bug out scenario, the straw may be a viable option. The other major drawback, is the fact that you cant make several quarts or liters at one time.
If you are looking to bug in, then you will want to have the stationary high volume located at your site. These can also be home made by having a 55 gallon drum, with alternating layers of sand and charcoal, with holes drilled into the bottom to drip. This will filter a LOT of water and is very inexpensive to pre-purchase (charcoal, sand, clean 55 gallon drum and water storage tank). Down side is that it is HEAVY, and will need to be elevated to drip. This also means that you will need to get your brackish water to the top so a hand pump might be a good idea. Understand, that this does not sterilize the water, only filters it. The next step to sterilize is to build a parabolic trough that is at least nine feet long and 3 feet wide, with a water tube at the focal point and run the water through at a rate where the water still boils or turns to steam when placed in the sun. At the other end, a water cooler / condenser and a collection barrel. This will provide you with filtered, sterilized water that is safe to drink, cook with, just about anything. And it will provide a large volume assuming that you have a supply of water.
There was an article in National Geographic maybe a year ago which explained how one could purify water simply by putting it in a certain type of plastic bottle and leave it sealed and undisturbed, in the Sun for a day.
I think it would be OK but I personally would filter it first.
I think it is based off the LifeSaver water filter invented by Michael Pritchard.
In this TedTalks video Pritchard explains his invention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXepkIWPhFQ
I swear by the Lifestraw.
It works really really well.
I’ve used it to drink out of rivers that make sewers look clean.
It’s light weight.
It’s simple to use.
As long as you blow it out every time you use it, it’ll will last around 5 years.
It’s cheap.
The Rotary Club has donated thousands of Lifestraws to schoolchildren in Africa and Haiti.
http://fllrotaryclubwaterprojects.org/shortterm.html
An RO filter can.
I like it. I wrote a review here, http://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/09/20/life-straw-a-portable-affordable-water-filter/
I actually had my daughter go outside and put some backyard mud in a drinking glass. We filled it with water, and I used the Life Straw to drink. Tasted perfectly fine.