Dangerous Poison Cover-Up Over Water Quality Issues - What to Do to Protect Your Health

Do you think the U.S. has water quality issues? About a week ago I was searching on the web for contaminated water sites in the U.S. and up popped this headline that says VET SAYS SKIN CANCER LINKED TO LEJEUNE WATER.

The water in this article is located at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune. The water was drunk at the base between 1981 and 1984. A woman also says she has lymphoma from drinking the same water when she lived near Lejeune while her husband was stationed there. She says water quality issues concerning contamination caused her health problems including cancers, reproductive disorders and birth defects.

For years health officials have made claims that the water was contaminated, but it posed no danger to the Marines and their families.

Now in 2009, the government is reversing those claims, saying that the evaluation of the water contained inaccuracies and omissions, and adding that over the course of thirty years three million people may have been exposed to the carcinogen benzene in their water.

Sadly this is just one if the many poisoned-water cover-ups in American history. Others in Brooklyn, Niagara Falls, Massachusetts, Hinkley (California), Woburn (Massachusetts), and Washington, D.C. have also made headlines. In all instances toxic substances were in the water supplies of American citizens.

We take for granted our water supplies are free from contaminates, or at least by the time the water gets to our faucets it is healthy for us to drink, but that is not the case. To protect yourself and your family from consuming toxins you need to install a home water filter.

Look for filters that use more than one media type to purify your water. Having a combination of filters ensure you of removing all contaminates for your water. The system I use combines a carbon filter with a sub micron and multi block filter, along with an ion exchange.

You can solve your water quality issues when you take steps to purify your water. Check out my web site listed below to find out which unit I trust.

Juanita Ruby is passionate about health. She knows our bodies contain 70% water, thus the quality of our water greatly affects our health. Visit her website at http://www.home-water-filter-site.com/ to discover which water purification system she trusts for her family's health.

Discover How You Can Drink Water From a Stream Safely With a Camping Water Filter

Did you know that you can drink water from a stream or river and not get sick? It's true. You can also fall 20,000 ft from an airplane, without a parachute, and live. Alan Magee did just that when he was blown out of his B-17 on a mission over France in 1943. What are the odds? They are way too high for me to roll the dice and take a chance. And I certainly wouldn't tell anyone I care for to go ahead and drink that water from the stream or river without using some type of camping water filter any more than I would tell them to jump out of a plane at 20,000 feet without a parachute. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) contaminated drinking water is responsible for 80% of the diseases that travelers get.

Water contains 3 groups of bad things.

1. Bacteria: like Salmonella, Cholera, and Ecoli.

2. Viruses: like Hepatitis, Norwalk, Rotovirus and Poliovirus.

3. Protozoans: like Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

You've probably heard of Salmonella, and Ecoli. The Norwalk virus is what many people call the stomach flu. Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by this little microsopic protozoan Giardia lamblia.Cryptosporidiosis, we just call it crypto, is a disease caused by Cryptosporidium, another protozoan that you get by drinking contaminated water, among other sources. You acquire these by drinking water from lakes or streams where animals like beavers or muscrats or any other animals happen to spend time in the water and contaminate it. Even agricultural products such as DDT have been found in mountain lakes.

Any water can be transformed into safe drinking water. And it also depends on if the water is clear of if it is cloudy, muddy, dirty etc. There are 3 ways to reduce the risk of drinking contaminated water. The best way is to boil your water. It will kill everything. The down side is that it takes some time to boil, it takes fuel, it takes a pot or container to boil the water in, and then it takes time again for the water to cool. And the higher the elevation the longer you have to boil it. The other ways are to use a camping water filter or a water purifier.

Purifiers use chemicals to treat the water and kill the bacteria and viruses. Those could be chlorine, chlorine dioxide, iodine, silver or UV treatment. These should be used in clear water. Chlorine is the most widely used. Iodine is similar to chlorine but it tastes terrible and if you only use that while camping or hiking for an extended time it can build up in your system and cause hyperthyroidism. You can use a filter of activated charcoal to get rid of the iodine after it's done it's job. Silver works slowly but is great for storing water as it prevents germ growth.

Filters will remove bacteria and protozoans. Protozoans are big, 1-15 microns but bacteria can be much smaller. To be safe I would use a filter with a pore size of.2 microns. You could get by with a pore size of .3 or .4....but why take the chance. With filters you will have to clean them out and replace the cartridges.

Whether you are going on a vacation, especially out of the country, camping or a short hike, it only makes sense to make sure you are drinking safe water. The fact is that drinking contaminated water can make you sick. Paradise can turn into a nightmare.

I love camping and hiking and you really need the right gear to protect yourself and your family. I advise everybody that one of the most important pieces you need is a camping water filter [http://camping-water-filter.org]. Learn more about the different types and brands at [http://camping-water-filter.org]

Campground Savvy

Part of planning a trip in our RV is planning which KOA campgrounds we will be staying at along the way. We know what to expect at a KOA campground and we have never been disappointed. If you have been RVing for any amount of time you already know that a big part of the camping experience is the campground experience. This month I am including a checklist that will help you get the most from your campground experience. Most of what is written in this checklist is common sense, but it helps to serve as a reminder of how to make your next stay at a KOA as pleasant and carefree as possible.

If you know where you'll be staying make campground reservations in advance, particularly during the prime travel season. This way there is always a site waiting for you when you arrive.

You should stop traveling while there is still plenty of daylight to set up and get settled in at the campground.

Make sure the electrical source is compatible with your RV's electrical system.

Make sure the site will accommodate the length of your RV.

If temperatures are hot outside, request a site that is in the shade, if possible. Try to position the RV, with the side the refrigerator is located on, in the shade to help the refrigerator work more efficiently.

Check the site for any overhead obstacles that might interfere with setting up the RV.

When you position the unit at the site make sure there is enough clearance for slide-outs and the patio awning.

Level the RV and chock the wheels before disconnecting from the tow vehicle (for towable RVs).

Test the polarity and voltage before plugging the RV into any electrical source. After you test the polarity and voltage turn the breaker off, plug the RV in, and turn the breaker back on.

Campground voltage can fluctuate depending on the demand. You should monitor the AC voltage coming into your RV, with a digital voltmeter, throughout your stay at the campground. Plug the meter into any 120-volt outlet in the RV where it will be easy to monitor the AC voltage during your camping trip. By monitoring the AC voltage you can protect thousands of dollars worth of electrical equipment and appliances in your RV. If AC voltage drops below 105-volts or goes above 130-volts you should turn electronic equipment and appliances off until the power is restored. Some digital meters have an audible alarm to warn you of high or low voltage conditions.

Keep a variety of electrical adapters on hand in case you need them. You should also have an extension cord that is compatible with the electrical system on your RV. The gauges of wire used in standard household type extension cords are not suitable for RV hook ups.

Use a water pressure regulator at the campground water source to prevent damage to your plumbing from high water pressure.

Use a white RV drinking hose to connect from the water source to the RV. Hoses not labeled safe for drinking can contribute to lead and other dangerous chemicals getting in the water. It's a good idea to have a 4-foot, 10-foot and 25-foot hose so you can always reach the campground water hook up.

You should always filter the water going into the RV with a high quality filtration system. The 4-foot or 10-foot drinking hose can be used to go from a water filter to the city water connector on the RV.

Take along a green or black garden hose for all other uses, like flushing out holding tanks or cleaning the RV.

It's a good idea to have a 10-foot and a 20-foot sewer hose available so you can always reach the campground sewer connection. Spend a little extra and get heavy-duty sewer hoses. Keep an assortment of sewer hose adapters and connectors on hand.

If you're going to be leaving the campground for more than few minutes it's a good idea to turn the water supply off until you return.

Always store the awning when you're not going to be at the campsite and leave it in the stored position at night.

Lock your RV and secure valuables when you are not physically at the campsite.

Always keep a spare set of keys for the RV and any other vehicles.

Always practice good campground etiquette and be sure to leave the campsite in the same condition you found it, or better.

If you travel with pets, respect other campers as it pertains to your pets. Always use a leash, control any barking and always clean up after your pets.
Hopefully this will help make all of your campground experiences happy memories rather than memories you would like to forget. For checklists like this and many more, be sure to get a copy of my Checklists for RVers E-book. Have a great time camping at your favorite KOA campground.

Happy Camping!

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101

RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. www.rveducation101.com/

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Making Your Own Portable Water Filter

Making your own portable water filter is highly useful for if you plan on going somewhere where there may not be clean tap water available. Now, not everyone owns a manufactured water filter, and not everyone gets around to buying one even if they are going to be in places where tap water isn't completely safe. Luckily, there is a very easy solution to making your own portable water filter that you can take anywhere with you. It can also be made on-the-fly, as long as you have the few necessary items with you for making it.

The only items you'll really need for making your own portable water filter coffee filters, a couple of empty water/soda bottles, and water purification tablets. As you probably know, coffee filters and empty bottles are easy to obtain, and you may be glad to hear that purification tablets are too.

The first thing to do is to fill up one of your empty water bottles with the tap water you're going to be filtering. An empty standard soda bottle will do absolutely fine. Have a second bottle ready, of the same size or bigger. Next, use a single coffee filter on the opening of the second bottle. Pouring the water from the first bottle into this second bottle will stop bits of dirt getting through, although a lot of smaller organisms can still get through the filter. It's recommended you use a tight rubber band to securely hold the filter in place.

Be careful when pouring the water from the first bottle into the second. Do it slowly, as the water needs to gradually make its way through the filter. Doing it too fast will likely overflow the bottle pretty quickly and it can damage the filter, allowing unclean water to get past and meaning you will have to start the process over again with another filter.

Once you have carefully transferred the water from the first bottle to the second (without any overflowing or tearing of the filter), you now need to drop a water purification tablet into the water. These are highly available and cost very little. If you can't fit the tablet through the head of the bottle of the filtered water, just pour it into a larger container and then drop the tablet in. Or, you may just be able to crumble it into the bottle. This basically kills any excess germs that will likely have still made it into the second bottle of filtered water. Think of this as the second stage of your portable water filter.

When it comes to making your own portable water filter, it really is as simple as that. If you're in a city that is notorious for bad tap water, take your homemade water filter wherever you go in the city where you're going to be relying on tap water to quench your thirst - whether it be at work, at home, or at a friend or family member's house.

Are you looking for more information regarding Portable Water Filter? Visit the Camping Water Filter Site today!

5 Important Packing Tips For a Canoe Trip

The following tips are meant to keep you from becoming miserable during your Canoe Trip. Planning on the weather as well as taking measures to ensure a smooth canoe ride can make the difference between enjoying your surroundings or being miserable. Canoe trips definitely are not for everyone, but if you prepare correctly, most people will have an excellent time. If you don't prepare, you could be in for the worst vacation of your life.

#1) Avoid wearing cotton. It is extremely heavy when wet and it takes a long time to dry. If you should have a fall getting in or out of your canoe on your camping trip, you could be wet and miserable for a much longer time. Use synthetic clothing which will wick moisture away from your body and dry much faster.

#2) Bring a reliable and sturdy rain suit. It is important to plan on every weather condition, even rain. A well designed and durable rain suit will keep you dry and warm and prevent misery on your canoeing and camping trip.

#3) Bring a lot of bug spray. The last thing you want to be doing is swatting fly's off yourself when you are trying to paddle. If a horse fly manages to get hold of your skin, sudden rapid swatting movements could cause you to flip your canoe and ruin your trip. Bring more bug spray than you think you will need.

#4) Pack your items in a water tight bag. A normal suitcase is out of the question and a duffel bag is still not a great idea. A water tight bag will ensure none of your items get wet or destroyed should you drop your bag in the water or flip your canoe. Your trip could get ruined pretty fast without a water tight bag. A smaller accessory water tight bag is also great for keys / your phone / wallet / etc. It is also a good idea to throw some matches in there as well do they don't get destroyed by becoming wet.

#5) Bring a water purifier. If for some reason you become stranded, you do not want to run out of water. You can survive for quite a while without food, however that length of time is much shorter without good water. A charcoal filtering water bottle, or chemically purifying tablets are a must in emergency.

I hope these basic tips are enough to get you on the right track to an enjoyable canoe trip. Getting outfitted with the proper gear and planning ahead is key. Don't forget to take as many pictures as possible!

For more information about what you should pack as well as some great camping and canoeing getaway ideas, be sure to visit: http://www.gunflintoutfitters.com.

Portable Water Filters Are Smart Purchases

Do you own one or more portable water filters? If not, you might want to consider making a trip to the store soon. These convenient, inexpensive devices offer good value for the money and provide real benefit to their users.

It is true that these portable filter devices can't substitute for more substantial home water purification systems. They won't protect you from seriously polluted water and you can't rely on them as a primary defense against microbes, toxins, minerals and pollutants.

That doesn't make portable water filters worthless, however. They actually have a great deal of value when you understand their purposes.

First, they can serve as a handy layer of protection when you're in a new area or a place where you don't really know about the quality of water. You're probably knowledgeable about the water in your home. When you're camping, traveling or enjoying a picnic at the park, however, that usually isn't the case. In those situations, either you can make some effort to protect yourself or you can simply hope for the best. Portable filters give you an opportunity to pack some protection with you.

Second, they're a reasonable stopgap measure if you feel your tap water is "slightly off" and you haven't yet purchased or installed under-the-sink units or a whole house water purification system. You don't want to put all of your faith in these lightweight devices, but they will provide you with some protection you'd otherwise lack.

Small portable water filters can do a good job of removing larger minerals and deposits. The nicer options can even help with other toxins and microbial pollutants. They're far from perfect, but they're much better than nothing is.

And, they're incredibly inexpensive. When you consider the benefits they provide and compare that to the amount of money you'll spend on them, it becomes quite clear that they provide more than an adequate "bang for the buck". That's particularly true if you're someone who is frequently on the go and away from home. How much is it worth to avoid exposure to some toxins even if they filtration isn't flawless? Most of us would agree that we'd prefer some protection to none at all.

There are many different kinds of portable filters. Some are bottles fitted with special caps that filter the water when it's poured. Others take the form of pitchers with lids containing carbon block filtration units. Some are slightly more advanced and are great for RVs and campers.

You can't think of portable water filters as an alternative to a solid purification system. They aren't meant to fill that role. If you recognize them as an extra layer of defense and a cheap way to improve the quality of water you might drink, however, it's clear that they're a smart buy.

To learn more about portable water filters and other methods of drinking water purification, be sure to visit our website at DrinkingWaterPurification.net.

Make Your Office Cubicle an Oasis of Productivity

Office cubicles don't have to suck. No really they don't. Your state of mind is everything in this world and if your have a job where you spend more time in your 6x6 cubicle each day then you do at home you've got to make it work for you. Ideally you've got a nice space somewhere in the office and your cubicle is functional. Work is hard enough each day so you should make the space you've been given to do what you need to do enjoyable. You'll find that it is contagious. This article is just a brief and simple way to spice up your cubicle.

After a few years of being assigned to various cubicles in various companies I found it very necessary to make it my one personal space. Each company will have policies in place that will have to be adhered to but find out immediately so you know exactly what you can get away with.

One of the best things you can do is change up the chair your sitting in. Most companies don't put a lot of time, money, or effort into chairs. They buy in bulk. If you've found your dream job or even if you haven't invest in a nice chair. Your going to be sitting on your butt for the next 30 years it should feel good doing so. Get an ergonomic office chair.

One of the other ease and cheap things you can get for your office cubicle is a plant. Plants will brighten the area up, provide better air, and just make your area in the office feel a bit more like home. An other big item is the digital frame. Nothing helps get you through a stressful part of the day like one of these puppies. Dump some of your favorite vacations images, family and friends, or your dream locations on to a digital frame and look at it as often as needed to help you not stress out. Speaking of stress. When I got stressed out and didn't have time to go to the gym I had a set of dumb bells in my cubicle. If a call stressed me out I just grabbed my 20lbs dumb bells and pushed out a few reps on the shoulders and biceps to get rid of some of the stress.

Music also helps out a lot for certain people. Getting a clock radio or an ipod dock is a nice idea. However many office policies don't allow music. What works for one person may not work for the other. But if you can have music I highly recommend it. Add some art your drab cubicle walls also. Posters with motivation sayings are common place in offices or get a world map and start tacking the places you want to go. This will motivate you to produce and plan your next vacation. You can pimp out your office cubicle as much as you want. Some of my office mates had their own personal espresso machines in their office cubicles. I was indeed jealous.

Finally I suggest you get a dry erase board that functions somewhere within your cubicle to put up your personal goals each day and the things you need to get done. The day is filled with so many tasks. It is important to stay organized. Use a dry erase board to post reminders, to put up quotes of the day, or even to just brainstorm on if you need to get something out of your had quick and onto paper so to speak.

It really is a matter of imagination and creativity when it comes to making your office cubicle your own. Have fun with it. Be creative and make the space your own personal little oasis. If you feel good being there you'll be far more productive. This is a proven fact.

In Search Of The Best Cup Of Coffee

The search for the best cup of java is over. It is more than personal taste. It's a science and it is acquired. We love our Tim Hortons and Starbucks. So I was wondering what is it that makes their coffee so good? When you need to watch your budget, going out for coffee gets to be very expensive. So last summer I went on a quest to learn how to make the best cup of coffee right at home.

To start with, I needed a great coffee grinder. My research showed that grinding fresh as you go is the best. The one I got is great because you can choose the type of brew, size of grind and how many cups. Shortly after purchasing it, we went on a camping trip up north to a place called Sambaa Deh with my sister, her husband, my niece and her husband, and my nephew. Since we were only going camping, for convenience I purchased a can of Nabob. I figured it would not matter, the coffee will taste great just because we are out doors by a campfire or in the fresh air.

First morning there, I was too excited to sleep in. I had been waiting for this the whole year, to just sit outdoors with a good book and sip my coffee. I made my pot of coffee and was just settling in to my chair when I saw my niece and her husband stirring. Now, Ken and I paid our dues of sleeping on the ground, we now camp in luxury. My niece is young and they were roughing it in a tent. So I thought I would spoil them and run over with my pot of coffee. They politely refused and proceeded to make their own. That's ok. I figured they were just as anxious to go through that ritual as I was. So we visited and drank our coffee.

It didn't take long when I realized NOBODY wanted to drink my coffee. They would rather have crawled on hands and knees to the next town than drink my cheap store bought coffee.

That, my friends, is when I got serious about making the best cup of coffee. The Martha Stewart in me rose to the surface because I did not want to go down in record as serving crappy coffee.....even when camping.

I used to thoroughly enjoy my coffee until I tasted my niece's, then I could see that there is a huge difference. Once you have a great cup of coffee... there is no going back! So, how do you make a great cup of coffee?

There are many methods for brewing, and no single technique is the right one. Personal taste is the determining factor.

Kinds of coffee makers and how they work:

Automatic Drip: Is by the far the most popular. You fill a chamber with water, load your coffee into a filter basket and flick a switch to heat the water which will then drip through the filter basket into the pot. Some Automatic Drip Makers include a built in grinder where the coffee is ground first.

French Press: Presently our favourite, also called a Coffee Press. A French press requires coarser ground coffee which you pour hot water over, leave to brew for a few minutes, then you press the plunger to trap the coffee grounds at the bottom of the beaker.

Pod: These machines force water through a coffee packet called a pod that fits inside the dispenser. No measuring or spilling, very convenient.

Percolator: This is what we use in our camper. You fill with cold water, put your ground coffee in the basket which sits near the top of the of the pot, water comes to a boil and rises through the straw-like center and through the coffee. There is discussion that the coffee gets bitter because of water passing through it more than once.

Espresso: Traditionally a European beverage, this type uses steam pressure to push hot water through the ground coffee. The coffee must be very fine. Some machines include automatic grinding and then brewing, so no measuring.

Vacuum: Consists of two connectable compartments with a filter in between and the coffee is brewed by vapour pressure and vacuum, producing a clean, crisp, rich,and smooth coffee.

But no matter how you choose to brew your coffee, here are 11 tips you need to follow to get the best cup of coffee possible:

1. The equipment must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Make sure that no grounds have been left and no build up of coffee oil. Such residue can impart a bitter, rancid flavour to future cups of coffee.


2. Purchase coffee as soon as possible after having been roasted. Fresh roasted coffee is essential to the best cup of coffee. Purchasing small amounts is ideal, enough for about 2 weeks.


3. Grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible. A burr or mill grinder is preferable because all of the coffee will be ground consistently. The size of the grind is so important because, if it is too fine the coffee will be over extracted which will make your cup bitter. If it is under-extracted the coffee will taste flat.


4. Never reuse your coffee grounds. Once brewed, the coffee flavour has been extracted and only the bitter undesirable flavour is left.


5. Be sure to use cold filtered or bottled water if your tap water has a strong odour or is high in minerals or chlorine. Do not use distilled or softened water.


6. Use the proper amount of coffee to water. A general guideline is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. You can adjust this to your individual taste.


7. The water temperature is important, it should be between 195 to 205°F for optimal extraction. If it is too cold your coffee will be under-extracted and flat, too hot and it burn and lose quality. For French Press, bring your water to a full boil, then let sit one minute before it hits the coffee grounds, that should be the perfect temperature.


8. The amount of time the water is in contact with the coffee is also important. The drip system should be approximately five minutes. If using a French Press, let sit about 2 to 4 minutes. Espresso is just as the name implies, the brew time is short, only 20 to 30 seconds.


9. Pour your coffee into a thermos or carafe to keep it hot after it is brewed. It is best if drank within 45 minutes. It should not be left on a burner for longer than 15 minutes, and never reheated.


10. Never refrigerate or freeze your coffee because contact with moisture causes it to deteriorate. Instead, store it in an air-tight glass or ceramic container in a dark and cool location. If you've purchased coffee in bulk, then wrap in airtight bags, and they can be stored for up to a month in the freezer. Once you have opened them, do not keep in the fridge or freezer but keep airtight, cool and dry!


11. Use a porcelain mug because it's not porous, it holds the warmth for longer which preserves the flavor, and stainless steel for a travel mug. These mugs are also reusable so they're environmentally friendly too. Wash your mug regularly. Avoid paper, plastic and styrofoam which alters the taste.

My niece's coffee was so good because she bought a dark bold bean, and ground it just before leaving. Their coffee was rich in flavour and aroma. It is too bad for them it was so good, because she was designated to provide Ken and I with our morning coffee for the rest of the trip!

Next camping trip.... I am packing freshly roasted coffee beans AND my coffee grinder because WE have a generator! The Martha Stewart is coming to the surface again!

Elvie Look: Is a "Back To Basics, Step By Step Expert Organizer" who currently is helping people get organized with her tips and suggestions. Her systems help the average person to learn the keys to organizing in simple, easy and manageable steps, as well as maintaining organization even with a busy lifestyle. She is the author of "21 Steps from Chaos to Calm." She provides organizing solutions, tips, and recipes at http://elviesessentials.com

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

Through time, people have learned the science of reverse osmosis. Some groups have invented ways to acquire potable water through this science. Campers have learned how to use this procedure to their advantage.

Reverse osmosis compels water to pass through a semi-opaque film. In this procedure, water is purged of impurities to make it safe to drink.

This means having a portable water distilling system everywhere you go. You don't have to be alarmed about not having clean water to answer your needs anywhere you are.

Even if water went through treatment to make it palatable, one can never be sure of the bacteria or virus that it picks up along the way before it reaches your faucet. So you can never feel safe enough even if a camping ground can supply tap water. The camping water filter is useful in this situation to bring clean water.

Advances in design of the camping water filter has effected to a sturdy and reliable equipment to enable to have safe water wherever you are. As water is vital to life, ensuring that you can have it should be your utmost concern. Including a camping water filter with your things if you are going somewhere is a must.

For the whole system to be effective, you have to take note of the filter. It must be change every now and then because it accumulates dirt and will not work effectively. If you are going with a big group who will rely on the filtering system to provide clean water, bring an extra filter or two to be assured of a continuous supply of potable water.

Portable filtering systems vary in prices and features. Consider your needs and zero in on the best gadget within your budget.

Before acquiring water filter, it is a good idea to make some research. The internet proves to be helpful for this. Check the different models and read reviews to give you an idea on what to expect in terms of prices, features, convenience, availability, etc.

Enhance your alertness with a well lighted room and get Bedside lamp and other lamps and lighting ideas.

Traveling With Personal Water Filters - Make Your Own Pure Drinking Water

An increasing number of people are becoming aware of he importance of good health. They make sure some time in a day is kept aside to exercise and stay fit.

They are also taking steps by following good diets and reducing the amount of junk food they eat. You can also find a lot of people choosing to go outdoors and enjoy nature. It is common to find people taking a hike outdoors or going trekking.

One area many people tend to ignore would be drinking water. Even though it does not seem so, drinking water is a very important part of our diet and care has to be taken to ensure it is absolutely pure.

Tap water is not safe enough to consume anymore. There have been many reports in the news recently as well.

Personal water filters

Personal water filters assume a lot of importance in today's world. People are on the go all the time. Hectic schedules and meetings to attend take up the entire day.

In such a scenario, drinking any available water is not a good idea. In today's world, you might need water anywhere. In the office, your gym, in your car on a long drive, a portable water filter will keep you safe in all these places.

Outdoors

While personal water filters are of great use in the city, they are invaluable when you are going out of the city. Many people today choose to go the outdoors.

Camping, rock climbing and trekking are favorite past times. As a hiker, water is invaluable and the personal water filter is your best buddy.

Every hiker will tell you carrying water is a huge hassle as it weighs a lot. Drinking water from unknown streams is extremely dangerous, as nobody knows what contaminants were added upstream.

If you have a personal water filter, you can purify all the water you need with ease. You do not have to lug around huge water bottles that weigh down your backpack. As long as you are close to some source of water, you have an endless supply of safe drinking water.

Travel

Personal water filters are a great help when people travel as well. Many people choose to go to many developing countries where water purification is not up to the standard.

You cannot take a risk by tasting their water. You are traveling and cannot afford the risk. The simple solution is to carry a portable filter.

If you're interested in learning more about the best personal water filters, visit my website, where I share what I personally use and recommend after years of research.

Christian Carlsson is passionate about staying healthy through only drinking the healthiest and purest water available today. Visit his website http://www.water-filter-advice.com/ today to learn more about what really goes on in your drinking water and what the big companies do not want you to know.

Pitcher Water Filters - Taste Uncontaminated Water

Water is one of the most essential mineral which can help you to sustain your life and hold your existence on this orb! This is an essential element which can help you to sustain your existence. This element takes the account for 70% of entire surface of this planet. There are many forms of this water. But, as the belief exists that rain water is the purest form of this element! Pure water is only the crystal clear liquor which has no adverse affect on your health and well being. This liquid has no color, odor or taste.

Although, rain water is the purest form of liquid, yet it gets polluted with the harmful toxins which are present on this planet! The common toxins which can pollute the water take the account for fungi, carbon, dust particles, sulfur and many more. These pollutants degrade the quality of rain water and make it unfit to consume. There are many areas which have experienced acid rain or after-affects of water pollution in one or the other way.

Trust me, it is not easy to ignore or overlook this topic. You must always consume or slurp safe and clean water. It can help you to maintain your health and avert yourself from deadly diseases. You must always consume pure and uncontaminated water and enjoy a safe and secured existence. Water filters, osmosis by the means of purification or boiling and chlorine tablets are some common options which can help you to slurp safe and hygienic liquid.

If you are a family circle of five or six individuals, you must install a pitcher water filter. This is the best household equipment which can help you to enjoy the taste of hygienic water. I am sure that boiling the water every now-and-then can add inconvenience to your home-based activates. A pitcher water filter can add an ease and help you to take the taste of clean and purified liquid. There are countless brands which are dealing in the production for some efficient and obliging water filters.

These devices can help you to liberate or eliminate the pollutants from your water and make it fit for drinking. Of course, chlorinated tablets can help you to purify water, but they will change the taste and add an unbearable odor to it. I am sure that you will not easily glug this chlorinated liquid.

Thus, you must select the option of pitcher water filters and install them as-soon-as-possible.

There are countless websites which are dealing in the information which is linked with these devices. I hope that you make a reasonable transaction and safe choice for this device!

By visiting our site about pitcher water filters [http://pitcherwaterfilters.org/], you can get valuable info and know more about charcol water filters [http://pitcherwaterfilters.org/charcol-water-filters/].

Spreading the Positive Message to Sell My RV For Free

I feel like it shouldn't be asking too much to sell my RV for free, without any cost to me. I should be making money here, not losing it, right? And I definitely don't want to be spending money I haven't made yet, just trying to sell it. But running ads online or in the paper; decent ads for any amount of time, that's expensive. On RV-specific sites, that costs a pretty penny too.

So what I've decided is that I need to start making sure people know about RVing, what a great life or enhancement to your life it can be. I've been giving tips on living the RV life. These tips include taking care of yourself, staying healthy while you're on the road or camped somewhere.

The Importance of Exercise

RV life can sometimes nurture sedentary tendencies, if you let it. You know Long hours on the road, the "vacationing" mindset. But remember, you'll feel better, have more energy and just be healthier in general, if you get out and move around.

Take a walk-not a stroll, but a somewhat purposeful walk. I like to carry a two-pound weight in each hand while I walk, so my arms get in on the action. If you're staying in campgrounds with trails, take advantage of them. If the weather is nasty, find a mall and walk around.

Other great forms of exercise that the RV lifestyle could easily incorporate include biking and swimming. Try lifting weights in the passenger seat, and get an elastic strip such as Theraband for stretches.

Being Sanitary

Ah, sanitation: part of the adventure that is RVing. Always be aware of your water supply, and conserve whenever possible. Don't ever drink from streams or rivers, no matter how clean they may appear to be. When filling up your water tank at an RV park, always use your own hose; who knows where theirs has been? Wear gloves when filling the water tank and using the sewer hose. Clean off the outside faucet-you can even use baby wipes.

Thoughts on Water

Use an in-line water filter, and run water through the hose for a couple of minutes prior to making the connection in order to reduce the quantity of air that's in the system. Smell the water; if it smells bad, you might not want to use it. Some parks have sulfur water, which won't usually hurt you, but it smells like rotten eggs and can affect the taste of food and beverages prepared with it. We usually get bottled or filtered water when we encounter a stinky water supply.

It might seem like a lot to think about, but the more you're out there in your rig, the more it becomes second nature.

If you want to sell your RV for free and feel like you need more than word-of-mouth, Jim Teller at http://www.sellmyrvtoday.com has some tips for you.

Are You Searching For an Innovative Way to Filter Your Water?

If you're searching for a really extraordinary means to filtrate small amounts of H2O in a quick amount of time then the these systems would be perfect for you! These products allow water to be sterilized by UV rays that are formulated from batteries within the systems. These products utilize wavelength UV waves, which demolishes the DNA of microbes in seconds. Without operational DNA, microbes simply can't reproduce or make you ill. These are not only handy but also lightweight, so you can carry it with you just about anyplace. These products come in a couple of diverse models, and all of the models hold different amounts of water, which allows the water to be sterile in particular increments of time.

These are really nice products to have if you are traveling to "at risk" countries where you may not know if you can trust the water filtration system or not. It is also a particularly good idea to take this product other places as well, such as camping, eateries or even on a cruise. This product can also be taken on an airplane for when you go on vacation. The filtration systems are very easy to work, so there is no disorienting procedures to figure or heaps of buttons to configure.

These products have been examined in such places as A&L Laboratory, University of Main, University of Arizona, Oregon Health Sciences and Ryerson University (located in Toronto, Canada), and the studies from these tests are obtainable for download on Hydro-Photon if you would like to take a look at those! The following systems are ones in which you might want to take a look at if you are interested in something like this:

SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier -This product used as an ultraviolet (UV) water purifier is the top water purification choice for many travelers, hikers, and campers because of it's size, speed, and ease of use. It offers the only trademarked handheld water purifier that uses ultraviolet light to destroy waterborne microbes. UV light has been used for more than 90 years in high-end water purification systems that are typically found in bottling plants, food production, hospitals, city water providers, and many more.

Journey LCD Handheld UV Water Purifier -Journey LCD takes the water purifier to a whole new level. Never has purifying water while travelling, camping, or hiking been so easy and fast. Along with the proven UV technology, the Journey contributes an innovative microprocessor with LCD display.

Portable UV Water Purifier -This is versatile and simple to pack - carry it in your backpack, suitcase, handbag or briefcase and it's like carrying hundreds of gallons of purified water with you wherever you go - and it can be applied in an assortment of containers. Whether you are traveling overseas or going on a backwoods hike, at 8 ounces, carrying this is no hassle at all.

This author is a HUGE fan of steripen adventurer.

Don't Drink The Water - Guide To Selecting Water Purification Systems For Camping

Imagine you are out in the middle of the wilderness, hiking across tundra or through fields of grass, thousands of tiny flowers surrounding you of every color and hue imaginable. The sun is beating down raising droplets of perspiration on your brow and in the distance is a glistening, snow-capped mountain range. Between the snow in your sights and the sweat on the skin, you are developing a raging thirst. You come upon a creek with icy-cold water rushing across rocks and pebbles, crystal clear as the best bottled water you could find in the store. Before dipping your water bottle in the creek and raising it to your parched lips for that needed draught of cold water, stop! That water is probably not very healthy. Even though it may be glacial runoff from those mountains in the distance, along the line animals have walked through it, urinated it, things may even have died in it. Yes, disgusting thought, I know. But important to remember because all of that contributes to Giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, cholera, just to name a few. These can cause bloody diarrhea, cramps, kidney failure, dehydration, typhoid fever, etc. If you are out in the wilderness with no possibility of emergency help, these could end in death. Not a pleasant way to end a trip, wouldn't you agree?

There are three different possibilities for ensuring you have safe, drinkable water. The first and easiest is to just boil your water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then continue for three more minutes. If your water was cloudy, filter the sediment before boiling using a coffee filter or paper towels. I have been told that if you are over 1000 feet above sea level, you should boil the water an additional minute for each 1000 feet. The drawback to the boiling method is that it takes both time and fuel. The time does not bother me, but using precious fuel for drinking water does.

The second possibility is the use of iodine tablets. There are many different brands and not all brands kill everything dangerous in the water, you may need to do some research. They are inexpensive, easy to pack and lightweight. Pop a pill in your water and wait approximately an hour, give or take depending on the manufacturer. That is quite a bit of time, but can be done before you go to sleep at night and water will be ready in the morning. Unfortunately, some of them do leave an aftertaste of chlorine. Another thing to be aware of is that once the packet of tablets is opened, there is a limited shelf life. Incidentally, if allergic to iodine, consider instead boiling your water or purchasing a filtration system which I will discuss next.

The third method is to carry a water filter with you. There are many different systems ranging in size, weight, and cost. They typically operate by use of a hand pump. One end of the tube goes in the water, and the other side into your water bottle or cook pan. Pump until you have the amount of water you need. These systems work by filtering out large particles first. As the water goes through the system, there is a second filter which screens out the bacteria. The final result is a bottle of very safe, drinkable water. Water filtration systems are much more expensive than iodine tablets and may take as long to pump the water as it does to boil it. However, filtration systems don't have a shelf life and the only energy they require to work is your own.

Always remember, if you plan to be someplace where the water may not be the best, be prepared. Humans can go without food longer than we can go without water.

Camping Water Filter

It is safe to say that you should never assume that just because you are at a campground or near a running stream that the water is safe for you to drink, even if the water comes from a spigot. Hidden in the pristine waters lies illness-causing bacteria and protozoa, something you definitely don't want to remember your camping trip for. Therefore, one of the most important things that you should pack in your camping gear is camping and water with filter.

Designed for long term use, a camping and filter possess a lightweight and compact design, made from high quality materials that helps to make the camping water filter durable, reliable, and perfect for extreme conditions. Yet if you are on the way producing water for a group of people, you should get a camping and water with filter that has high enough capacity to meet the demands while if you are collecting water from such treated and untreated water sources as rivers, streams, lakes, and such, you need a camping water filter that you can trust as well as has been proven reliable, durable, and effective.

As with other water filters, you should do your homework and price your camping and water according to your economical demands in addition to your personal needs and wants. Go on the Internet or even go to a sports store or a store that sells camping water s, check out the products and ask questions that would help you find that perfect camping water filter immediately.

Are you looking for more information regarding Camping Water Filter? Visit http://www.best-water-filter-guide.com today!

The Value Of Portable Water Filters

Portable water filters can be a great asset to have. Whether you enjoy hiking, camping or simply spend a lot of time outdoors, these devices can be a great addition to your regular list of supplies. They also make it easier than ever for you to get good water. However, this is not the only benefit they offer. These filters actually offer customers a number of advantages that can be very helpful. Here, we take a look at a number of these benefits.

One benefit of using portable water filters is in the name. Since they are portable, they allow you the ability to take them to many different places. This is perfect for activities like camping and hiking where you are away from water fountains and tap water. Instead, you will need to either bring in your water or can use these filters to help get water from a traditional water source like a lake, pond, river, etc. The weight of these filters is also very manageable that allows them to be fairly easily placed in a backup or carried. They are also especially lighter when you consider the weight of water that you would carry in.

A second benefit to these devices is how good they can be at filtering the water. Obviously, this is very important because you want to filter out all the particles and other things in the water. The better devices do a great job of leaving you with quality water. For example, the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter is one of the best options on the market today. It is designed to last a long time and still perform consistently as a quality filter. A large number of customer reviews support these claims. In fact, you should make sure that customers find that both these criteria exist with any water filter you choose.

A third benefit to these devices is that they are fairly easy to use. This is important because you will be spending some time pumping the water through the filter. It can also be a challenge having to lean over and get water out of the side of a lake or pond so you want to choose systems that are relatively easy to use. Again, customer reviews can provide a great way at finding which devices are easy to use and which ones are more challenging.

By keeping all these different benefits in mind, you should start to see the value of using portable water filters. They have been a great benefit to many people who find themselves camping, hiking, backpacking, etc. Their ability to provide you with purified water is very important. It can help reduce your overall packing weight which makes traveling easier as all you will then need is a traditional water source. These water filters are also a great staple to have for survival supplies. Since a stable water supply can be a risky proposition in times of crises, it is to your benefit to have a device that can provide you with good water. Either way, these devices can be a great benefit to many people.

For more information on portable water filters, click on the following link for a full review of our top recommendation Katadyn pocket water-microfilter.

Portable Water Filters for Camping - Wilderness Survival Kit

Portable water filters for camping are very important for outdoor activities and adventures. It keeps your drinking water clean and safe for drinking during these events. Although, for most outings and camping activities people or campers usually bring bottled purified water along with them in order to gain easy access to safe drinking water anytime of the day whenever they are thirsty; however, being prepared for unexpected events is very important for survival.

Consequently, having portable water filters for camping should be part of your wilderness survival kit because this is very crucial for the survival of every individual. Keep in mind that unplanned events or sometime disasters strike anytime; forcing campers to stay in the woods or wilderness for a much longer period of time. As the stay gets longer, supplies of food and potable water also start to run out; thereby forcing individuals to get food and water from various natural sources to ensure survival.

Water is one of the main concerns; and it is important that each individual have a sufficient amount of water in order to extend the number of survival days. If stranded in the forest or woodland then water is not much of a problem since there are usually a good amount of water sources in the woods; such as lakes streams and rivers. However, the main issue is the quality of the water if it is safe for human consumption.

In most cases, water coming from streams and rivers are usually contaminated with various elements found in the soil along the riverside or on the riverbed; as well as from the animals that come into contact with the river. However, if you have portable water filters for camping along with you then this is not much of an issue, since these water filters can tremendously lower the contamination level of the water in order to make it much safer for drinking.

Without this tool, you will be forced to drink water without undergoing filtration and purification; making you highly susceptible to various health issues in the ensuing days where being healthy is very crucial for your own survival. Hence, whenever you go out on your camping trips and other various outdoor fun and adventures then make sure to always bring along some portable water filters for camping to ensure that you have an unlimited supply of clean and safe drinking water in case of an emergency situation.

D Leveque has built his career installing and servicing water filtration systems and is offering his experience about reliable clean water for everyone. To learn more about these systems including, Reverse Osmosis, water ionizers, well and lake water systems visit Dave's website, http://clean-water-store.com
You can also research more of Dave's articles by going to http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_Leveque

Katadyn Filters - Filtration Made Easy

The environmental protection agency has estimated that 90% of the world's drinking water is contaminated to some amount. This means that a lake, river, or some other body of fresh water is likely to be dangerously full of bacteria, protozoa and other harmful microorganisms regardless of how clean and clear it may appear. Since it is impossible to tell to what degree a body of water is contaminated with just the naked eye it is necessary to assume that all fresh water is unsafe to drink unless it has been properly treated or purified. Katadyn Filters make it possible to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about the quality of the water you are consuming.

Katadyn Filters utilized an ingenious filtration system that can remove all of the harmful parasites, protozoa, bacteria, and fungi from any water source. These devices do not rely on chemicals in order to purify the water and factors such as acidity and temperature have no affect on the purification process. Since there are no chemicals required to filter the water, the guesswork is completely removed and there is no question as to whether not the final product is safe to drink.

As useful as these devices are, they are not completely necessary. You can always pack along 10 or 20 gallons of fresh water on whatever hike or camping trip you may be planning. If this seems like an inconvenient or unrealistic alternative than you are absolutely correct. It is much easier to use Katadyn Filters to purify whenever water you come across in nature rather than trying to bring your own supply. It would be a huge mistake to assume that a viable source of fresh water is not necessary when venturing out into the wilderness. Heat exhaustion or dehydration can set it quickly and have dire consequences.

Katadyn Filters have proven time and again to be the most reliable and durable choice when it comes to outdoor gear. Outdoor enthusiasts, such as hikers and hunters, have come to realize that these devices represent an incredible value and will likely become an indispensable part of any outdoorsmen's favored equipment. It is simply not worth the risk to drink water that you are not completely sure is safe. One drink of contaminated water can cause even a healthy individual to quickly become ill and can, in extreme cases, even lead to death. There is no need to risk such a disaster when these devices are so readily available.

Dave Miller is the owner of Midwest Outdoor Supply.

To view more information on Katadyn Filters and other water purification items visit http://www.MidwestOutdoorSupply.com.

Responsible Campsite Selection

We've been hiking for eight hours and there are maybe two hours of daylight left, we need to locate and claim a campsite before darkness sets in. How do we make a good choice? Here are some handy tips to insure your overnight stay is as enjoyable as possible.

Be aware of your terrain and surroundings. If the site you choose is within earshot of other campers you might want to consider another spot. If at all possible remain invisible to other campers.

Blend with the environment; don't choose a spot where your presence spoils the view for others. Being considerate of other campers, the impact we have on the environment and how our presence affects the local wildlife should all be taken into account when choosing a campsite. An ideal spot should be at least two hundred feet away from water sources and trails should be in a flat shady area on a previously used site. These are guidelines and may not be possible when choosing every site but whenever possible these factors should be considered when choosing a site.

Being near a water source has benefits that are obvious. A site near a water source provides us with water for cooking, cleaning, and filtering for the next day's drinking water. Anglers in our group can try their luck at catching some fish and everyone benefits from the relaxing sounds of a running stream while sleeping. Camping near a lake can sometimes bring mosquitoes to our campsite, choosing a site with a breeze will alleviate this problem to a certain degree but insect repellent should solve the issue completely.

Be aware of the terrain around you, camping in a low spot can have unpleasant results. Should bad weather move in overnight, rain will collect in a low spot? Also cold air sinks into low spots causing a chill effect when the temperature drops overnight. A better choice would be on higher ground. If our site will be used as a base camp for day trips choosing a shady area will minimize the amount of time our tent will be exposed to direct sunlight. Many campers will setup their tent facing the east so they get the early morning rays, a needed push for those wanting to get an early start.

Keep your site clean, adhere to the "leave no trace" philosophy, that is, and leave your site so that those coming behind you won't know that you've been there. As responsible outdoor adventurer's we need to have a minimal impact on the environment that we enjoy so much. This will ensure a wonderful outdoor experience for future generations of backcountry adventurers. Keep on camping!  

H. Jeffrey Davis authored this article. I have always has been an outdoor enthusiast. Given the stressfull demands of our modern lifestyle hiking and camping in the great outdoors is a great way to relax. This fact hasn't gone unnoticed by myself and I take great pleasure in sharing pointers and suggestions with my readers. If you're looking for top quality camping and hiking gear I recommend [http://www.campoutcity.com]

Reverse Osmosis Home Systems - Here's How to Evaluate Their Success in the Water Purification Market

This scared me to death the other day. Reverse osmosis home systems are the market leader in the huge water purifying industry.

That is a fact, and I read it in a very reputable publication.

There's got to be good reasons for this. But ... wait a minute!

Thirty years ago I started using water filters to make sure the water coming into our home was really fit to drink. At that point I didn't know anything. I just called a supplier with a reputation and bought his filter.

Fortunately, this business did not sell reverse osmosis home systems. Because what I didn't know until quite recently is you have to treat reverse osmosis water before you can drink it! That is also a fact.

Just call up your local city water authority and they'll confirm this. They will almost certainly use a reverse osmosis system in their purification plant, and if they do they will definitely add chlorine to the water as it leaves the filter. In other words, even the lax government standards that local authorities have to meet won't give the tick to reverse osmosis water. There are nasty organic substances and dangerous chemicals and non-organic elements pouring out of reverse osmosis filters so freely that the authorities have to stop them with a second line of defense. chlorine. (That's why some local municipality water sometimes smells like a hospital corridor.)

You can't rely on local government standards and regulations to protect you and your family from the many dangerous chemicals in reverse osmosis water. And for the same reason you should think very, very carefully about installing one of the expensive reverse osmosis home systems. They are inefficient.

What's more these systems take out the naturally occurring trace minerals dissolved in water. Your bodies desperately need these elements, and some of them will only get into your bodies via drinking water. Reverse osmosis home systems scrub out every single one of them, and you're left with something like sterile, almost unhealthy water.

I would say reverse osmosis water plus chlorine is OK for Gulf State governments need to desalinate salt water for their people's needs. And for grunts in our army who set up camps for short times in some pretty inhospitable places. (Try the deserts or Iraq!)

But your family needs a better protection. Could I recommend you put aside for a short the sales figures for reverse osmosis home systems, and consider other filter systems? Based on good science and improved with new technologies, these alternative systems work well. Very well. I've personally used them. Do yourself a favor and find out what a good home water purification looks like, at my web site.

Len McGrane writes about home water purifiers and pure drinking water from his web site, www.pure-drinkingwater.com [http://www.pure-drinkingwater.com] where he gives advice and helps visitors with home water purifier systems [http://www.pure-drinkingwater.com].

Give Your Dishwasher a Chance

When it comes to those of us who own dishwashers, we can be divided into two main camps; one camp consists of those users who must cram absolutely everything possible into the dishwasher until the door barely closes and the spray arm struggles to spin round and the other is those people who only have a limited number of plates, bowls, knives and forks and instead of washing these by hand. They regularly put the dishwasher on when it's less than half full.

Neither camp has got it quite right but when it comes to the environment, overloading it is better than under-filling it but to give your dishwasher the best chance of performing well and lasting a good few years it's important to give it a bit of attention every now and again. There's no need to go for the full service every six months but there are some little things that if you get into the habit of doing you'll be amazed at the big difference they'll make.

The first thing to do is to rinse your plates quickly before you put them in, there's no need to get everything off but make sure the bulk of the food is off. If you've roasted something and the dish has burnt on food around the edges try to get it into the dishwasher straightaway and put it on immediately, if your dishwasher is basically empty, consider soaking the dish until you're dishwasher is ready to put on. Make sure you clear out the filters every few weeks as these can get clogged with coagulated food which can not only mean an inefficient dishwasher but also a pretty smelly one.

Don't forget to top up the salt and rinse aid as well as using the correct dishwasher tablets for your needs; these are often left to run completely dry which means your dishwasher can only be half as effective. Get into the habit of checking the rinse aid and the salt each time you clear out the filters and you'll be amazed at how much more sparkly your dishes are when they come out. Using the wrong detergent for the temperature you're washing at or for the water in your local area can result in poorly washed dishes, residues being left and tea and coffee stains persisting. Have a look online to see whether you live in a hard or soft water area and adjust your dishwasher detergent accordingly and then follow brand guidelines for the best programme to use.

Check out the huge range of reasonably priced Indesit dishwashers and Hotpoint dishwashers online and you'll have sparkly dishes before you know it.

Bug Out Bag Checklist

A bug out bag should provide the essential items you need in any survival situation. These BOB checklists will provide the essential survival items as well as some ideas on specialized checklists. An expansion (or specialized checklist) is a group of items that with specific situations. These extra checklists will help you organize your bug out bag even better. Pack the specialized items in their own compartment so you can quickly leave behind the items you don't need in your situation. Most of the time more gear is always better. The downside to carrying everything you can think of is weight. If weight is an issue you can ditch the non-essential items quickly.

Bare Survival Items

Shelter

Shelter is a top priority because hypothermia and heat related illnesses can kill you within three hours (and possibly faster if conditions are extreme). Be sure you have a good poncho, sleeping bag, and waterproof bivy to keep you dry and warm. The clothing you wear on a day to day basis will contribute to the quality of your shelter. If you have a gortex coat and boots you'll be much better off than if you're stuck on the freeway with a cotton t-shirt and flip flops.

Water

A stainless steel canteen can double as a container and pot to boil water. A good water filter will help you get clean water no matter your situation. Iodine can be less effective if there are bigger particles in the water as these particles can keep contaminates safe from the iodine pills. Two gallons of water a day per person is recommended. You can survive three days without water.

Food

High calorie food rations will provide the energy you need. Trail mix also packs a lot of calories. Try to get at least 3,000 calories a day per person. You can survive three weeks without food.

Other Essential Items and Tools

* Knife
* Multitool
* Headlamp or flashlight
* First aid kit
* Paracord (100 ft 550 Cord)
* Water bladder with drinking hose
* Lighter or firestriker with Vaseline covered cotton balls
* Extra socks, underwear, and change of clothes.

Specialized Item Checklists

Everyone in your family should have a bag with the essential items listed above. Once you have the bare essential items consider adding these specialized checklists to your bag and spread them over other member's bags.

Items for evasion and defensive bug out situations

* Camouflage everything you have (poncho, backpack, bivy, etc)
* Handgun with 100 rounds ammo
* Rifle and scope with 100 rounds of ammo
* Spotting scope with night vision capabilities
* Camoflage facepaint
* Snarewire
* Trauma kit with Celox and suture kits

Items for natural disaster or rescue situation

* Signal mirror
* Flares
* Whistle
* EPRIB
* Brightly colored clothing, poncho, coat, and tent
* Hand held CB Radio

Items for extended bug out situations

* Ground Mat
* Solar Crank Radio
* Fishing Kit
* Folding Saw
* Axe, Hatchet, or Machete
* Camp stove with fuel (avoid butane, get a multifuel stove)
* Shovel
* Four Season Tent or Tarp for Shelter
* Cooking items
* Dish soap
* Trash bags
* Duct tape
* Sewing kit

Visit my bug out bag checklist on HowToTo.com for a more complete list with recommended products.

RV Accessories For the First Time Camper Owner

Picking up your very first RV?  Walking through the Parts Store can be fun and confusing.  What do you really need to start camping? Many seasoned campers will agree the following is a good list for first time RV owners.

Make sure your tow vehicle is rated to pull the RV you are buying!  Is your hitch receiver the correct size?  Do you have the right Hitch Ball?  Is your tow vehicle equipped with a brake control?  These are questions that need to be answered before you leave with your new camper.

The first thing you need to consider is setting up your camper at the campground.  You will need chocks to keep your camper from rolling when it is unhitched from the tow vehicle.  Many people use wood blocks for this, However, tire chocks are easier to use and can protect your tires. The dents caused by wood blocks can lessen the life of your tires. For campsites that are not completely level, check into levelers. Levelers are available in several styles, including handy building block style, or drive on type.

Most campgrounds offer 30 and 50 amp service on site.  Some older campgrounds only have 20 amp, and you will need an adapter to plug in. A 30 to 20 amp adapter will also allow you to plug in your camper at home for cleaning, packing and unpacking.  Be aware that running your camper on 20 amp is hard on your air conditioner, so do not use air conditioners unless plugged into 30 amp service. Most campers have a electric cord that is 25ft. long. This is sufficient for most campgrounds. If an extension cord is required, it must be a heavy duty, 30 amp cord.

Your camper probably has two ways to use your plumbing. City water is the fresh water hook-up. To use this you need a water hose. Ordinary garden hoses will work, but they tend to give a rubbery taste to the water. RV water hoses are reinforced to lessen swelling, and lined to keep the fresh taste. It is always smart to use a water pressure regulator. This keeps the pressure going into your camper at a safe level for your plumbing. Country or on board water is carried in your water tank for campgrounds that do not have on site water. Your water pump will activate when you turn on the faucets. You can pick up a water tank filler that connects to your water hose to help fill your on board tank. Water filters are available to use at campsites that have questionable water sources.

The last thing to discuss is the sanitation system. You want to have toilet paper and holding chemicals on hand at all times. You may hear that you can use household tissue in your RV. Not so. Household tissue is made to be extra absorbent, and will swell up in your tank, and could cause clog problems. There are some very good RV tissue brands available that are hard to distinguish from home use tissue. RV tissue is manufactured to dissolve quickly. Holding tank chemicals help to dissolve tissue, as well as eliminate odor.

The above contains what you will need to use your new RV. As time goes on, you will find other products that you can use. Talking to other campers and looking at catalogues will give you lots of ideas for other RV accessories that you can use to make your camping trip more fun and less work.

For more information about the RV Parts noted above, please check out RVPartsDealer.com where you will find a huge variety of the newest RV Accessories.

Things to do in Jackson Hole

Located in a picturesque valley in western Wyoming and surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges, Jackson Hole has been called "the last and best of the Old West." The town of Jackson (at the end of Jackson Hole) features a charming square complete with western boardwalks and elkhorn arches, plus a number of designer shops, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. This frontier-town-turned-ski-resort has over two thousand hotel rooms to accommodate the droves of tourists that filter in throughout the year. With Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park nearby (which attract nearly 6 million people each year), visitors can enjoy terrific fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, climbing and, of course, skiing. Jackson Hole also puts on several great festivals, including a Summer Music Festival and Fall Arts Festival.

Blessed with pristine forests, sparkling lakes, and expansive meadows, the area is an absolute haven for outdoor recreation and adventure. Though Jackson Hole is better known for outdoor pursuits such as fishing and skiing, the town is blessed with one of the best eighteen holes in the country. The award-winning championship course at the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club has attracted the likes of Bill Clinton and George Bush. Best of all, it's open to the public.

- One of the biggest draws in Jackson Hole is the wonderful fishing that can be found in the nearby rivers, lakes and streams. The 1038-mile Snake River boasts some of the best fly-fishing anywhere and attracts thousands of eager anglers each year.

- The terrain of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is generally regarded by skiing fanatics as the most varied, challenging and breathtaking of any ski resort in the United States.

- The National Museum of Wildlife Art showcases perhaps the finest wildlife art exhibit in the country. Housed in a 50,000 square foot castle-like building, the museum features 14 galleries and over 2,000 paintings by many renowned artists, including John J. Audubon, Charles Russell, Albrecht Durer, George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt and many others.

- If one is visiting Jackson Hole during the winter months, one should take time to visit the National Elk Refuge, home to the largest gathering of elk in North America. Beginning in late autumn, thousands of elk make the long trek from the high country down to Jackson Hole.

- If one wants to get a bird's eye view of the magnificent expanse of land that comprises the Great Valley, one must take a Jackson Hole Aerial Tram Ride. Located at Jackson Hole Ski Resort, the tram lets one scan the mountains and surrounding area from a dizzying height of 10,000 feet. At that elevation, it can get quite chilly - even in the summer months.

- In Jackson Hole, the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall are hidden gems. In Spring, solitude and wildlife abound. Great activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Viewing wildlife is more common as animals come down to the snow-free valley to feed.

- Jackson Hole has several old Wild West watering holes, including the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar which was made famous in the Clint Eastwood film, "Any Which Way You Can." One can hop on one of the saddle barstools and order up one's favorite whiskey or, if one prefers, a soft drink

Jim Hartley recommends that you visit http://www.rustyparrot.com for more information on a Jackson Hole hotel.

Stay Hydrated With a Water Bottle

Water is a basic necessity of life. It is something that helps our body to function properly. But what if we do not access it to fulfill your requirements? Do you know nearly 1.1 billion people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water? Facts say that we will face a crisis in coming days.

Water can be obtained from various sources, like rivers, streams lakes etc. Yet it has to be treated before it is consumed. There are various ways to ensure its quality and bottles are one such way that dispenses water for you in no time.

Water bottles are designed to filter automatically before drinking. People who are into sports or those who regularly exercise are very familiar with such bottles because these bottles keep them hydrated during an intense training regime or exercise.

It is recommended to use both hot and cold bottles as alternatives because heat relieves the pain while the cold diminishes swelling. Thus each option helps you in its own special way.

Water bottles remove sediment, chlorine and bacteria and provide you safe, clean and healthy h20. These also keep it fresh for a long time. Whether you are at home, riding on your bike, camping, or on a mission to some far off place where there is no possibility of obtaining fresh clean water, just squeeze and drink.

You will definitely enjoy every sip. These bottles do not leach harmful chemicals into your water unlike other plastic bottles and are made with 100% aluminum lining inside them in order to maintain good quality.

Water bottles are available in different designs, sizes and colors so that you have a plethora of choices.

They are durable and handy and you can place them in your car, travel equipment, or in your office where you can not take a huge amount of water with you. These bottles have enough capacity and their attractive colors make children like to have them more than elders do.

So this time if you are about to go on a trip make sure you are taking your fresh water supply with you. Do not compromise on your health, just buy a bottle and start your journey.

Click Here to discover the shocking reality about the many traces of harmful contaminants in our water supply. If you don't want to find traces of toxic chemicals in the water you drink, be sure to visit my website to learn the truth that no one else wants to expose.

Water Purification Tablets

Whether you need to purify your water for a camping or hiking trip, emergency use, or military deployments, having the means to purifying your own water is essential. Everyone knows that water is vital for life; the average person will only live two or three days without water. 3.575 million people a year die from diseases related to unsafe water according to the World Health Organization. Even ancient civilizations realized that water must be purified and created rudimentary methods such as boiling or filtering their water through sand. The "father of medicine", Hippocrates thought the body was made up of four "humors" that needed to be balanced in order for the body to be healthy. He created a "filtering sleeve" that water could be poured through after it was boiled in order to improve the taste and therefore supposedly quality.

Currently one common way of purifying water is to add chemicals. Iodine is added to water in tablet or crystallized forms "containing tetraglycine hydroperiodide that release eight milligrams of iodine per tablet adaptation to chronic tetraglycine hydroperiodide." This kills most water borne diseases. While this method should not be used for long periods of time due to the buildup of iodine in the user's system, it is a lightweight and inexpensive way to obtain safe drinking water. Since the taste of iodine is rather strong, vitamin c pills or flavored drink powder may be added to the water to destroy the negative taste of the iodine. Just remember to add these pills well after the iodine so it has a chance to kill the diseases beforehand. For warm water, iodine takes about thirty minutes however cold water takes much longer.

In case of a nuclear disaster, iodine tablets are useful in limiting the negative effects of radiation. Certain companies make iodine pills in the event of a nuclear attack to be distributed to survivors. In addition to iodine tablets, iodine crystals are another option for chemically filtering water. With this method, water is added to the crystals, given about thirty minutes to work, and then the treated water is poured off into another container. The crystals must not be ingested and they have the potential to treat over two thousand gallons of water. The advantage of this method is that the crystals have a virtually unlimited shelf life, while the tablets are only good for three months. Both of these techniques are not suitable for people who are allergic to iodine.

For more information about water purification tablets and other survival equipment, please visit http://www.specialforces.com

Does Boiling Really Purify Your Drinking Water?

When camping, travelling overseas, or even following some malfunction at your local water treatment plant, you are urged to boil water before drinking it. How effective is boiling - does it really make the water safe to drink? And how long do you boil the water for?

Why Boil Water?

The main reason boiling is recommended as a water treatment is because it can be done simply and because the disease causing organisms are destroyed by heat. Holding the water at a high enough temperature for long enough will destroy pathogens. The organisms of interest are cysts such as cryptosporidia and giardia, and bacteria such as E.coli, typhoid etc. Although the boiling does not remove them from the water, it does kill them and thus they will cause no illness.

How Long Should Water Be Boiled?

There are many times suggested: 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes etc. Some advocates even suggest adding a minute to the boiling time for each 1000 feet of altitude. So which of these times is correct? After all, the amount of time the water needs to boil determines the amount of fuel needed (to boil 1 litre of water requires about a kilogram of wood). As it turns out, none of them. You do not even need to boil it for one minute - you just need to bring it to the point of boiling. Let's consider why.

According to the Wilderness Medical Society, water temperatures above 70° C (160° F) kill all pathogens within 30 minutes and above 85° C (185° F) within a few minutes. So the higher the temperature, the less time is needed to kill the micro-organisms. Bringing the water to boiling point raises it well over the 85°C mark. Not only that, but the water must then be allowed to cool (unless you are making a cuppa). So the total time the water spends above 85°C is significant and sufficient to kill pathogens.

If it is sufficient just to bring water to 85°C for a few minutes, why are you told to boil it? Basically because that is a foolproof way of guaranteeing the water will be the right temperature. Most people, do not carry thermometers with them when camping so it would be difficult to determine when the right temperature was met - once it reaches boiling you know what temperature it's at within a couple of degrees.

How Effective is Boiling Water?

Boiling water is an effective method for destroying bacteria and other pathogens. If the water is turbid, filter it through a clean cloth, or coffee filter to remove particulate matter before boiling as that will improve its appearance.

Boiling will not provide any safeguard against other things such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals etc that may contaminate a water supply. It may remove chemicals which have a lower boiling point than water but what about the others? Neither does it remove turbidity, foul tastes and odours.

In short, boiling water does not purify your water. It is certainly effective at eliminating the target pathogens but will not be effective against other contaminants - you really need a decent water purifier for that. However, drinking boiled water is certainly better than dehydration.

With the growing number of toxic substances and the increase in sources of contamination, purified water is more important than ever for continued good health.

More information on water purifiers can be found at http://www.crystalclearwater.com.au/

RV Water Leaks

If there is a way to get in your RV, water will find it. Water leaks on an RV can cause extensive damage and can be extremely costly to repair. When I worked at an RV dealership I saw the damaging effects that water can cause to an RV time and time again. I learned the lesson the hard way. I appraised a unit that was being traded in and didn't identify the extensive water damage, which resulted in a thousand dollars worth of repairs. Hindsight is 20/20 and I quickly learned how to inspect for, and identify potential water damage on RVs. My recommendation is that you inspect for potential water leaks twice a year at a minimum, once in the fall and again in the spring.

Every seam on your RV and anywhere the manufacturer cut a hole in your RV has the potential to allow water in. To protect your investment and your wallet take the time to REALLY inspect all of these seams and sealants. Water damage on an RV is similar to progressive damage to a tire. The outside of the tire looks fine, but the internal damage over a long period of time causes the tire to fail without any warning. The outside of your RV looks fine but the internal damage caused by water over a long period of time can result in the entire roof, floor or wall rotting away without you knowing it. Here are a few things to look for during your inspections.

Always keep safety on your mind when you are working on the roof of your RV You can be seriously injured from a fall! A reader of mine suggested that you use 2 pieces of 1/2"
plywood, 2 foot by 4 foot, to move around on and spread your weight out over the
roof rafters.

* To stop a leak before it starts, thoroughly inspect all roof and body seams. Consult with your RV dealer for sealants compatible with different types of roofing materials.

* Look for any discoloration and feel for any soft spots on the ceiling around roof vents, air conditioners, TV antennas, plumbing vents, and any other openings that were cut in the roof.

* Look for any discoloration or wrinkles in the wallpaper, and feel for any soft spots on the walls around all windows, doors, vents, slide outs, or any other openings that were cut in the side walls.

* Identify the location of items like the water heater, furnace, outside shower, potable water fill and city water inlet on the outside of the RV and then access those areas from the inside of the RV and look for any indications of water damage around these openings.

* Open all overhead cabinets and look in the top corner where the walls meet the ceiling for any discoloration or feel for any soft spots. This would indicate a leak at the seam where the sidewall and the roof attach.

* Check in all outside storage compartments for any indications of water leaks or water damage.

* Check for any soft spots on the roof itself especially around the roof seams at the front and rear of the RV. Thoroughly inspect all sealants on the roof around every opening.

* Some Class C motor homes are notorious for leaks in the cab over bed area. Look for any signs of discoloration and feel for soft spots. Reach under the mattress and feel for water.

* Look and feel on the outside of the RV for any signs of delaminating. Delaminating is caused by water getting between the exterior fiberglass and the sidewall. When this happens the exterior fiberglass separates from the sidewall of the RV. You can stand at the front or rear of the RV and look down the side for any noticeable ripples or what looks like a bubble. You can also press on the sidewalls. If you feel the exterior fiberglass move it is delaminating. Often times delaminating starts around where an opening that was made in the sidewall.

Don't just inspect your RV for water damage; REALLY inspect your RV for water damage. If you do this on a regular basis you can locate and repair the source of any water damage before it has a chance to do a great deal of damage. I think I'll start checking our motor home more than twice a year.

Happy Camping,

Mark

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101

RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. www.rveducation101.com/

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How to Prevent Infection

Preventing infection means preventing sickness and disease. Infection, when left unchecked for too long, may turn into a more serious condition with accompanying complications and worse, even death.

There are several ways for you to keep protected from infection and from preventing infection. Most of them are pretty easy to remember and can be integrated with our daily habits. Here's how to prevent infection from getting to us.
Sanitize Your Hands

Washing your hands is the number one method to prevent infection. Your hands make the most contact with different items and people everyday. Your hands also make contact with different pathogens everyday, and when you touch your eyes, mouth, nose, your hands provide a bridge where the pathogens can cross over to your body. Infectious diseases such as colds and flu can pass from hand-to-hand contact. Food infection like salmonella can also be caused by dirty hands handling food.

To wash your hands properly, all you need is soap and warm water. Hand sanitizers are also good to clean your hands, but soap is still the best. You do not have to use antibacterial soap as they will simply make the bacteria toughen up against the sanitizing agents.

Wash your hands by wetting your hands and lathering soap all over them. Keep lathering for around 15 to 20 seconds, scrubbing all parts of your hand, especially between your fingers and under your fingernails. Rinse your hands and dry well, either with a towel, tissue or a hand dryer. Use a tissue when turning off the faucet or touching the doorknob out of the lavatory.

To sanitize your hands, you must use half a teaspoon of alcohol or sanitizer and rub all over your hands until completely dry.

Sanitize your hands after they have contact with anything unsanitary-public toilets, diapers, trash and animals. If you are sick, it's also recommended that you wash your hands after covering your mouth as you cough or sneeze. You should also wash your hands before and after handling food to prevent salmonella and other food infection.
Don't Share Personal Items

What are personal items? As a general rule, personal items are those that you use exclusively, repeatedly and have direct contact to your skin, mouth, eyes, and bodily orifices. That would put towels, toothbrushes, lipstick, razors, socks and even clothes under the general category of personal items. By keeping your personal items personal, you lessen the risk of spreading infection (if you have it) to others and getting infection from someone else that used your personal things.
Keep Wounds Clean

Open wounds and scratches are potential sites of infection, no matter how small. To clean a wound, wash your hands first and put on sterile gloves. Use disinfected water (1 oz of povidone iodine in one liter of water, set aside for five minutes) to wash away excess dirt and blood. Dab the wound dry with a sterile cloth, and use a clean bandage to cover it up. Replace the bandage after a few hours, or until the wound is completely dry.

If you have an infected wound, it's best to keep to yourself for a few days until the wound is completely healed. Avoid doing sports, going to the gym or going out to high-traffic spaces (such as a club) to prevent a spread of infection.

For more serious wounds, go to a hospital for immediate treatment.

Shower

Sports or working out in the gym exposes you to germs and bacteria. Shower immediately after a game, and throw all the clothes and towels you used straight in the laundry. The same goes following outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. Showering after strenuous activities outdoors ensures that all the pathogens you may be carrying with you are washed off as soon as possible. A quick shower daily is actually a great way for you prevent pathogens from hanging around after your day-to-day activities.
Be Hygienic

Being hygienic not only means keeping your body clean, but keeping your surroundings clean and sterile as well. Personal hygiene means washing your hands regularly, brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth and not sharing your personal items, among other things.

Keeping a hygienic environment means not giving bacteria and other pathogens an opportunity to breed and multiply. Throwing out your trash, cleaning up your bathroom regularly, sweeping the floor, dusting, cleaning out filters and keeping a regular laundry schedule are some of the many things you'll need to do to keep your house truly clean.

For more on How to prevent infection and other how-to do stuff, please visit Monster Guide. Wisdom is the sharing of wise experiences and knowledge, but a lot of it is common sense. The difference is how we apply this common sense - we all have the ability to keep going even when we face challenges in our lives - basically it comes down to your attitude.