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.