C on a weight of 750gr per liter, Water is one of the heavier elements that we must take the mountain, but also one of the most vital. On day trips we have taken water from home (1.5 to 3 liters of water per person). But during an output of 3 days, each person can drink 6 liters while walking or climbing, plus additional 5 liters for the camp (cooking, washing ..). This is too much to carry. Hopefully we can get water from naturally occurring sources. Although, unfortunately, most of these sources are contaminated. If you drink contaminated water not Get sick at the time, but a few days will see a gastrointestinal disease ... To heal health is best to assume that all water is contaminated nature and must be treated before drinking.
The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes 80% of diseases in contaminated drinking water travel.
water Pathogens
is unwise to rely on water from a spring, which is more pristine appearance. In water there are three major groups of pathogens that must be protected:
- Parasites: most common parasites are protozoa, amoebas and worms. These organisms are really easy to delete by filters. The Giardia and Cryptosporidium have the most need to worry about a mountaineer. The diseases they cause (giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, respectively) slow onset of 2 to 20 days and its symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, headache, flatulence ...
- Bacteria smaller than protozoa are more difficult to filter. In many in developing countries, water may be the route of spread of bacterial diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. These can eliminated by appropriate filters and chemicals.
- Virus: not usually found in the waters of developed countries, however, are quite common in tropical waters and transmit diseases such as polio or hepatitis A. They are so small that can not be removed by filters, so that chemical treatment is necessary.
natural water sources
In nature we find water in many sources, such as a river or stream, lake, collecting rainwater, melting snow or ice ... No matter where we get it, we must always very clean and purify us to believe that is
safe drinking water: purification techniques
Before we purify drinkable water and sediment monitoring has not. Turbid water or excessive sediment can clog filters, and numerous bacteria that adhere to them. It should therefore be allowed to stand in a container a few hours before treating. Another option (faster) is filter through a coffee filter and then proceeds to make it safe.
The main methods to purify water are: mechanical filters
They have the advantage of being instantaneous, pump water and drink. In addition, while other methods kill pathogens in the water leaving the filters eliminate them completely. The disadvantages are that need regular maintenance, are expensive (100 €) and occupy enough space in your backpack. Also if it breaks you run out of water!
work very well against protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium , but are not effective against viruses. Chemical treatments
-Iodine
Used very frequently during the twentieth century Iodine remains fairly now common, although today most efficient treatments available. It is very effective against bacteria and viruses. Effective against Giardia , but requires time for action. This time can be a maximum of 30 minutes for water from a glacial stream. Water can yodarse with hidroperyoduro of tetraglicina tablets or crystals of iodine (iodine-saturated aqueous solution). Advantages
, lightweight and compact. Can be combined with filtering to protect against all pathogens. Cheap. Disadvantages can not be used as a method of purification, puesno is effective against Cryptosporidium Cyclospora or . Very slow process, especially in cold water.
iodine leaves a strange taste to water, but can be overcome with vitamin C.
Pregnant women or people with thyroid problems should not be used.
-Chloro
Chlorine is one of the most effective disinfectants. It is very effective against bacteria but has no success against the virus. It is recommended to filter the water before chlorine and after application of chlorine must be thoroughly mixed and let stand 30 minutes.
-purification tablets and drops
There are pills and selling ready- market used to treat drinking water. Use water purification tablets is probably the most practical and effective method to treat drinking water. These compounds should be applied in precise amounts and subject to the necessary rest before consuming the water.
Aquamira is a system dioxide-based chemical that destroys pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, without affecting the taste of water. Chlorine dioxide is mixed with phosphoric acid 5 minutes before using, and releasing oxygen is what produces the sanitizing effect. There must be a waiting period of 15 to 30 minutes before the treated water is ready for use.
There are other similar brands Aquamira in Spain is very common to find Katadyn in stores.
Even if you use mechanical filters should always take these pills as a backup, if the filter is damaged. Can also be used in combination with a water filter very suspicious: first, we filter the water and then add the chemical treatment to remove the bodies which they have slipped through the filter.
Price: 15 € -20 €
Boiling
Very effective against all pathogens. Neutral aftertaste water. Just take it to a boil and keep it between 5 and 10 minutes.
Advantages: This is the most effective. When you are cooking soups, tea, pasta ... is convenient because, as you have to boil the water just enough to let it boil a few minutes before brewing.
Disadvantages: in other situations is slow requires fuel with consequent weight gain on long trips, making it impractical.
In nature we find water in many sources, such as a river or stream, lake, collecting rainwater, melting snow or ice ... No matter where we get it, we must always very clean and purify us to believe that is
safe drinking water: purification techniques
Before we purify drinkable water and sediment monitoring has not. Turbid water or excessive sediment can clog filters, and numerous bacteria that adhere to them. It should therefore be allowed to stand in a container a few hours before treating. Another option (faster) is filter through a coffee filter and then proceeds to make it safe.
The main methods to purify water are: mechanical filters
They have the advantage of being instantaneous, pump water and drink. In addition, while other methods kill pathogens in the water leaving the filters eliminate them completely. The disadvantages are that need regular maintenance, are expensive (100 €) and occupy enough space in your backpack. Also if it breaks you run out of water!
work very well against protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium , but are not effective against viruses. Chemical treatments
-Iodine
Used very frequently during the twentieth century Iodine remains fairly now common, although today most efficient treatments available. It is very effective against bacteria and viruses. Effective against Giardia , but requires time for action. This time can be a maximum of 30 minutes for water from a glacial stream. Water can yodarse with hidroperyoduro of tetraglicina tablets or crystals of iodine (iodine-saturated aqueous solution). Advantages
, lightweight and compact. Can be combined with filtering to protect against all pathogens. Cheap. Disadvantages can not be used as a method of purification, puesno is effective against Cryptosporidium Cyclospora or . Very slow process, especially in cold water.
iodine leaves a strange taste to water, but can be overcome with vitamin C.
Pregnant women or people with thyroid problems should not be used.
-Chloro
Chlorine is one of the most effective disinfectants. It is very effective against bacteria but has no success against the virus. It is recommended to filter the water before chlorine and after application of chlorine must be thoroughly mixed and let stand 30 minutes.
-purification tablets and drops
There are pills and selling ready- market used to treat drinking water. Use water purification tablets is probably the most practical and effective method to treat drinking water. These compounds should be applied in precise amounts and subject to the necessary rest before consuming the water.
Aquamira is a system dioxide-based chemical that destroys pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, without affecting the taste of water. Chlorine dioxide is mixed with phosphoric acid 5 minutes before using, and releasing oxygen is what produces the sanitizing effect. There must be a waiting period of 15 to 30 minutes before the treated water is ready for use. There are other similar brands Aquamira in Spain is very common to find Katadyn in stores.
Even if you use mechanical filters should always take these pills as a backup, if the filter is damaged. Can also be used in combination with a water filter very suspicious: first, we filter the water and then add the chemical treatment to remove the bodies which they have slipped through the filter.
Price: 15 € -20 €
Boiling
Very effective against all pathogens. Neutral aftertaste water. Just take it to a boil and keep it between 5 and 10 minutes.
Advantages: This is the most effective. When you are cooking soups, tea, pasta ... is convenient because, as you have to boil the water just enough to let it boil a few minutes before brewing.
Disadvantages: in other situations is slow requires fuel with consequent weight gain on long trips, making it impractical.
ultraviolet light Ultraviolet light disinfects the water quickly and effectively, killing protozoa, bacteria and viruses. So far its use is not widespread, but is expected to gain wide acceptance in the future.
These water filters should be used with water. Dirty water or of a different color should refiltering until clear before being treated with the light filter. Among
cons is the high price (150 €).
purification Pack "Safe water pack SteriPEN water containers
Water can be transported in containers numerous, although not all are equally efficient the mountain. The typical water bottles, boots, bottles, Lexan ... are widespread, but are rather heavy. The best simple option is a reused plastic bottle, it's free and only weighs 40g. the problem is that empty space once occupied (although we can crush).
Another good option is called "Camel-bag" can hold about 2 liters and once empty just take up space and are very light. Conservation
clean water for other
To contribute to the maintenance of nature try to use little or no soap, this includes biodegradable. Before urinating, bathing, washing the dishes or clothes, brush your teeth ... make sure at least 60 meters from the nearest water course and if possible do it on sandy or clay surfaces, which act as natural filters.
This is very important not to contaminate the water, because as we all know water is a cycle, and if contaminated at some point will contaminano wherever it happens.
Just in case ...
If you stay isolated in nature without any means to purify drinking water requirements, the first thing to look for believing that water is drinkable, it is run, or that is not stagnant . It is preferable to water from a stream that flows into a lake and not the lake itself , and even better is the water from the springs that are born among the rocks of the mountain stream water which then form. In conclusion fetching water "upstream."
Links
- Mundotrekking: drinking water in nature
- Barrabes: Water Purification (buy products to purify water)
- Katadyn: making water drinking water Aquamira
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