It’s easy to take water for granted. With a simple turn of a faucet, seemingly unlimited water comes gushing out to meet our demands, and even assumes your desired temperature!Before embarking on your wilderness adventure, it is necessary to plan out not only what your water sources will be, but how you will purify the water you obtain.
Failing to purify your water is a mistake that has the potential to make you uncomfortable at the very least, and at its worst can be fatal.
Giardia lamblia, commonly referred to as Giardia, is a fairly common protozoan (single-celled organism) in the US, particularly in well-traveled areas. Those who have had it can attest that it is an experience they would not care to repeat. G. lamblia lives in the intestines of infected hosts (which can be both animal and human) and is passed through feces. One can become infected by ingesting said feces, which can be accomplished by drinking unpurified infected water, or coming in contact with the parasite in any other way. Consider that you can get it simply by swallowing a mouthful of lake water while swimming!
Symptoms of giardiasis, which include diarrhea, gas, floating and greasy poo, and an upset, crampy stomach, do not begin to occur for 1-2 weeks. Once they begin, they can last for 2-6 weeks in a healthy adult. That is one long bout of diarrhea.
Cryptosporidium, a protozoan similar to Giardia, also enters water through fecal matter. It causes symptoms similar to those of Giardia.
Before you come to the problem of purifying your water, you will need to find it. When planning your route, it is vital that you ensure frequent access to water sources. Add an extra quarter mile onto your trip to ensure that you pass by that lake. Yes, it’s that important. Of course, you should carry water with you. But the fact of the matter is, as humans we require approximately 4 quarts of water per day, and up to a quart per hour when exerted on a hot day. Unless you are planning to cart along gallons upon gallons of water, you will need to obtain your own drinkable water on any extended trip. Read more.
water purification systems
reverse osmosis systems
Failing to purify your water is a mistake that has the potential to make you uncomfortable at the very least, and at its worst can be fatal.
Giardia lamblia, commonly referred to as Giardia, is a fairly common protozoan (single-celled organism) in the US, particularly in well-traveled areas. Those who have had it can attest that it is an experience they would not care to repeat. G. lamblia lives in the intestines of infected hosts (which can be both animal and human) and is passed through feces. One can become infected by ingesting said feces, which can be accomplished by drinking unpurified infected water, or coming in contact with the parasite in any other way. Consider that you can get it simply by swallowing a mouthful of lake water while swimming!
Symptoms of giardiasis, which include diarrhea, gas, floating and greasy poo, and an upset, crampy stomach, do not begin to occur for 1-2 weeks. Once they begin, they can last for 2-6 weeks in a healthy adult. That is one long bout of diarrhea.
Cryptosporidium, a protozoan similar to Giardia, also enters water through fecal matter. It causes symptoms similar to those of Giardia.
Before you come to the problem of purifying your water, you will need to find it. When planning your route, it is vital that you ensure frequent access to water sources. Add an extra quarter mile onto your trip to ensure that you pass by that lake. Yes, it’s that important. Of course, you should carry water with you. But the fact of the matter is, as humans we require approximately 4 quarts of water per day, and up to a quart per hour when exerted on a hot day. Unless you are planning to cart along gallons upon gallons of water, you will need to obtain your own drinkable water on any extended trip. Read more.
water purification systems
reverse osmosis systems
