Water is one of the most important things to have in a survival situation. Not only does it keep you hydrated and prevent dehydration, but it also removes waste products from your body and helps regulate body temperature.
You can go weeks without food in some cases, but if you’re not drinking enough water, you’ll probably die within three days or less.
So let’s say that your car breaks down on the highway or you become injured while hiking through the backcountry: how do you purify water in order to make sure that none of those things happen?
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Water purification is essential in the wilderness to maintain one’s health and prevent illness. |
| Boiling water is the most effective method for water purification, but other options such as chemical treatments and filtration should be considered too. |
| Drinking impure water can lead to harmful health effects and pose various risks. |
| There are multiple ways water can become contaminated, such as through human waste, animal waste, or chemical pollutants. |
| It is crucial to choose the right water purification system that caters to your specific needs and requirements. |
Identify Sources Of Water First
Before you begin to purify water, it’s important to know where to look. Water can be found in many different places and conditions.
For example, if you’re near an area with plant life (even if it’s just a few trees), there’s likely to be water available somewhere nearby.
If not plants, then perhaps animals are nearby and they will have left tracks in their search for water as well.
Look around carefully before beginning any kind of filtering process so that you know which direction is best to go once you’ve found some type of source.
Purifying water in the wilderness can be a daunting task, but with the help of our best water purification tablets for emergencies, you can ensure a safe water source in any situation.
Boiling Water
You can also boil your water to purify it. Boiling water is an easy way to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in the water.
All you have to do is heat the water until it reaches a rolling boil for about a minute, then let it cool down before pouring into another container or drinking directly from the source (if possible).
Once you’ve done this process once or twice, you should notice that there are less white particles floating around in your cup of H2O.
To make sure that all of these little unwanted guests are dead and gone, repeat this process two more times you may need to use some kind of disinfectant if your water still looks cloudy after each round of boiling.
Best Tools and Brands for Boiling Water
| Boiling Tool | Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Stove | Jetboil | Compact and lightweight; fast and efficient; reliable |
| Campfire | Solo Stove | Made of premium stainless steel; portable and versatile |
| Pot | GSI Outdoors | Non-stick surface; durable and versatile; heat-resistant handle |
| Kettle | MSR | Precise pour spout; lightweight and packable; easy to use |
| Water Bottle | Vapur | Collapsible and portable; BPA-free and antimicrobial; durable material |
Boiling water is one of the most effective ways to purify water in the wilderness. This table presents some of the best tools and popular brands available to boil water. From stoves to kettles and water bottles, these boiling tools offer unique features such as portability, durability, and precision, catering to various outdoor needs and preferences.
Iodine Tablets
Iodine tablets are made to kill bacteria and viruses, and they will not harm you. They work by oxidizing your water, which kills the microorganisms that can make you sick.
If you want to use iodine tablets to purify your water, you should take the following steps:
Add 8 drops of tincture of iodine to a gallon of clear water or 16 drops for cloudy water. Let it sit for 30 minutes then stir well and let sit another 15 minutes before drinking or using. You can add more iodine if your taste buds desire a stronger flavor (you may have just ruined your cup of tea).
2 To purify large amounts of water, follow these steps:
Add 8 drops per liter (1/4 teaspoon) or 16 drops per gallon (1 tablespoon) into the container with the dirty water; stir well until all particles are dissolved; wait 20 minutes before drinking
Did you know that there are multiple methods for purifying water? Check out our top 15 water purification methods used by experts guide to explore traditional and modern filtration techniques.
Bleach Tablets
Bleach tablets are another option for water purification. You can find these in most pharmacies, and they’re inexpensive to buy. To use them, dissolve one tablet per liter of water. Then wait 30 minutes before drinking the water.
The main drawback to using bleach tablets is that they don’t kill all bacteria in your water supply; they only kill some types while leaving others behind and those remaining bacteria can be dangerous if consumed by humans or pets (or any other animals).
If you can’t wait the full 30 minutes before drinking your purified water, don’t bother with this method at all!
You should try something else instead if you’re desperate for clean drinking water immediately after treating it with bleach tablets.
To dispose of leftover bleach tablets after using them for disinfection purposes: bury them deep underground so no critters will eat them accidentally (or on purpose).
Top Bleach Tablets for Water Purification
| Bleach Tablet | Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| AquaMira Water Purifier Tablets | AquaMira | Kills bacteria, viruses, and cysts; EPA-registered; shelf-stable for up to 3 years |
| Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets | Potable Aqua | Effective against viruses and bacteria; fast-acting; individually-sealed tablets |
| WaterBOB 100-Gallon Emergency Water Storage Container | WaterBOB | Holds up to 100 gallons of water; heavy-duty food-grade material; can be used for long-term storage |
| Chlor-Floc Military Water Purification Tablets | Cammenga | Effective against bacteria and viruses; compact; used by the US military |
| Katadyn Micropur MP1 Purification Tablets | Katadyn | Fast-acting; effective against viruses and bacteria; comes in various sizes |
Bleach tablets are a convenient and effective way to purify water while out in the wild or during emergencies. This table includes some of the top bleach tablet brands that offer unique features such as long-term storage, fast-acting purification, and effectiveness against various contaminants. Choose the brand that works best for your needs and start purifying your water with confidence.
Using A Commercial Water Purifier
A commercial water purifier is a portable device that uses chemicals to eliminate contaminants. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores, pharmacies, or online.
Water purifiers are convenient because they can be used in any situation and are generally easier to use than other methods of water filtration.
However, they tend to be more expensive than other techniques and may not remove all of the harmful bacteria from your water source.
If you’re looking for alternative ways to purify your water, our 10 simple ways to purify your water at home guide can help you use household items to treat water and save money on expensive filters.
Portable Water Filters And Purifiers
Portable water filters and purifiers are available in a variety of sizes, styles and prices. They range from small portable filters that can be used in the field to larger units that can be used at home.
You should select one that’s appropriate for your needs, but most have the same basic components: a container where you fill your water; an outlet spout or mouthpiece where you drink; some kind of filter material inside (usually made of ceramic); a pump or other mechanism for moving water through the unit; an indicator showing when it’s time to change the filter cartridge (if applicable).
What follows is an overview of some popular models some designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts like hikers or campers; others more suited to use at home as part of an emergency preparedness plan.
Top Portable Water Filters and Purifiers for Wilderness Trips
| Product | Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Mini Water Filter | Sawyer | Lightweight (2 ounces); filters up to 100,000 gallons; versatile and compatible with various water sources |
| LifeStraw Personal Water Filter | LifeStraw | Filters up to 1,000 gallons; no batteries or chemicals required; compact and easy to carry |
| Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier | Grayl | Filters and purifies water within 15 seconds; bottle design is easy to use and eliminates need for a separate container |
| SteriPen Ultra Water Purifier | SteriPen | Purifies up to 8,000 liters of water; lightweight and portable; eliminates bacteria, viruses, and protozoa |
| Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System | Katadyn | Filters up to 1,000 liters of water; no pumping or waiting required; collapsible, easy-to-carry design |
Portable water filters and purifiers are an effective way to purify water while out in the wild. This table lists some of the top brands and their unique features. From lightweight and compact designs to long-lasting purification capabilities, these filters and purifiers offer various features that cater to different needs and preferences. With this table, you can easily select a filter or purifier that’s right for you and ensure you have access to clean water while on your wilderness trips.
Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are the most common type of filter and are relatively inexpensive. They’re easy to use, as well.
Carbon filters can be used with a wide variety of water sources (including murky, grey water), and they can be used for long periods of time without requiring replacements or cleaning.
They’re not perfect though; carbon filtration does not remove chemicals or bacteria from your water supply, so if you’re traveling in an area where there’s risk of contamination it’s best to use another type of filter instead.
Choosing the right water purification system can be overwhelming, but our ultimate guide to choosing the best water purification system breaks down the key factors and features to consider when selecting the perfect system for your needs.
Portable UV Light System
UV light is a good option for purifying water if you have access to electricity. This method is quick, effective and does not require anything other than the UV lamp itself.
When using a portable UV light system:
- Place your dirty water into a container that will fit under the lamp (remembering that it must be airtight).
- Place your container of dirty water on a flat surface and place the light directly above it, making sure that it covers all of the liquid in your container.
- Leave the water in this position for 30 minutes to ensure that all harmful bacteria has been killed off.
Solar Still
- Make sure you have the right materials:
- a large plastic tarp (or similar material)
- a bowl or container to collect water in
- a spoon to stir the water with
Place the tarp on a flat surface in direct sunlight, making sure that it is facing south and out of any shade.
Position the container underneath the center of your solar still so that it can catch condensation as it forms on either side of the tarp.
If you’re using a bowl, place rocks around its perimeter so that it doesn’t blow away in strong winds (it’s also important to make sure there’s nothing touching your collection area).
Put some salt crystals or iodine tablets into your container of water and stir until dissolved completely—this will help kill bacteria in your source water before purification begins!
Drinking impure water can lead to harmful health effects. To learn more about the risks associated with contaminated water, check out our guide on the dangers of drinking impure water and how to protect yourself from any harmful contaminants.
Natural Disinfectants
Powdered charcoal: This is a natural disinfectant that can help to filter impurities from water. It’s also used as an ingredient in many commercial water filters, and some people even use it at home for home filtration systems.
Activated charcoal: The same concept applies here as with powdered charcoal—it has the added benefit of being able to absorb certain chemical compounds from your drinking water, including heavy metals and pesticides.
Baking soda: Baking soda is a common household cleaner that you may already have on hand—if not, it’s easy to find at any grocery store or even dollar store!
You can add a bit of baking soda directly into your clean water container before adding your purified water source; this will help reduce odors while also helping keep away bacteria that could make you sick if consumed regularly over time (like E Coli).
Salt: Like baking soda above, salt can be helpful for neutralizing odors and making sure nothing nasty grows inside any containers where we’re storing our purified water before drinking it later downman road trip
Catalytic Converter Method
You can use a catalytic converter to purify water in the wilderness. A catalytic converter is a device used to convert carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides into carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen. It is used in automobile exhaust systems.
The catalytic converters are made up of metal honeycomb plates or ceramic and can be found under the car’s hood near the engine.
To use this method of purifying water:
Crush the converter into small pieces with your hands or hammer it with a rock until you have created fine powder (it’s okay if some bigger chunks remain). The metal should be very fragile at this stage.
Once you’ve crushed it down into powder form, place approximately one cup of fresh snow over top of your pile and allow it to melt before drinking straight from this mixture (you may want to stir with another piece of metal again).
As soon as possible after melting snow from above onto top layer of catalyst material, drink from mixture without stirring again so that remaining impurities do not mix back together due to contact between layers
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some ideas for purifying water in the wilderness. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to drink from a source of questionable purity, remember these tips:
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can check out to learn more about purifying water in the wilderness:
NPS: Two ways to purify water: Get insights from the National Park Service (NPS) about two effective ways to purify water while out in the wild.
Masterclass: How to Purify Water in the Wild: A comprehensive guide that covers the basics of water purification in the wilderness, helpful equipment, and common challenges.
Morton on the Move: Purify Water: A guide that breaks down the various tools and techniques for purifying water, including chemical treatments, boiling, and filtration.
FAQs
How do I know if the water I find in the wilderness is safe to drink?
It’s challenging to determine whether wilderness water is safe to drink with the naked eye. However, you can use water treatment tablets or boil it for at least three minutes to ensure that it’s safe.
What are the best water purification methods to use in the wilderness?
Boiling water, using water treatment tablets, using chemical treatments, and filtration are among the most common methods. Each method has its pros and cons, but boiling water is the most effective and reliable.
What should I do if I don’t have access to any of these water purification methods?
If water purification methods are unavailable, you can try to find a natural water source like a spring or running stream. Natural water is often cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water.
Can I drink water from a lake or river in the wilderness?
While lakes and rivers might seem like good water sources, they can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It’s best to purify the water or find a natural water source instead.
How often should I purify water?
You should purify water every time you need it, even if it’s from the same source. Contaminants can multiply over time, and the water might become unsafe to drink.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.