how will you carry your water

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on February 14, 2012 at 21:53

Hey guys,

Just joined your Group and picked up on your discussion about "How will you carry your water?"  I had some 2-gallon plastic containers to store water in my garage, and after 3 or 4 years they all started leaking.  I think they split, but I don't know why.  Now I'm wondering what would be a better storage container.

Along the same line, I started looking at hydration paks and other portable water storage.  After looking online and at local stores, I found a 2-liter hydration pak reservoir with attached drinking tube and valve for $24.99.  This is a reservoir without its carry bag, so it will be easy to carry in my survival backpack.  My backpack also has 2 water bottle pockets for 16-oz bottles, which total a little over 1 liter.  I also bought 3 filter straws that were on sale online at JHL Supply (now www.campingsurvival.com).

Thanks for the informative discussion.  I'm glad I picked up on it.

Permalink Reply by Ron James on February 14, 2012 at 23:54

If the 2 gal containers are the type you buy water in, like the 1 gal jugs of drinking water at walmart, milk etc, they are degradable and will eventually break down and leak. I don't suggest anyone store water in they type containers for over a few months past exp date. Also the plastic seeps into the water.

Buy hard plastic containers for storage, even soda bottles are great for a short time.

Don't forget to stock some coffee filters to strain water before running it thru your water filters, they will last longer before becoming unusable. And if your water filters do become unusable as time passes, the coffee filters are great for removing stuff so you can drink the water as it is, or before boiling.

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on February 15, 2012 at 0:08

Thanks Ron.  They were the large foldable plastic containers.  Do you know where I can find a commercially-made plastic container made especially for long term water storage?

Ron James said:

If the 2 gal containers are the type you buy water in, like the 1 gal jugs of drinking water at walmart, milk etc, they are degradable and will eventually break down and leak. I don't suggest anyone store water in they type containers for over a few months past exp date. Also the plastic seeps into the water.

Buy hard plastic containers for storage, even soda bottles are great for a short time.

Don't forget to stock some coffee filters to strain water before running it thru your water filters, they will last longer before becoming unusable. And if your water filters do become unusable as time passes, the coffee filters are great for removing stuff so you can drink the water as it is, or before boiling.

Permalink Reply by Ron James on February 15, 2012 at 0:55

http://www.relianceproducts.com/products/hydration/79.html These were at walmart a couple years ago for like 8-10 dollars and holds 7 gllons.

 If you can find the blue 55 gal drums at some feed/farm stores used, these had vinegar in them and can be found here for like 10-15 dollars.

Also we have a place that bottles hot sauce and, the sauce comes in 275 gal containers that we can generally find for 30-40 dollars. Like these http://www.lexingtoncontainercompany.com/275-Gallon-IBC-Totes.html

Permalink Reply by Ron James on February 15, 2012 at 0:59

Depending on where you are, IBC totes are on ebay for as little as 50-75 dollars if that helps, and if you need a 275 gal container.

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on February 15, 2012 at 4:03

Hey guys,

Thanks for the information on where to find the water containers.  You're what makes iKC great!

Terry

Permalink Reply by Ron"TUNA"Dumeah on February 16, 2012 at 20:17

I do not know if you guys seen my first post on this. http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw I think it is really a good idea.

Thanks for the heads up on the store bought water bottle leaks. I have four or five cases stashed away in the crawl space that I will look at to see if they are leaking.

Terry, I have seen the foldaway storage tanks in the camping Isle at Walmart. I think I have one or two in the camping gear trunk.

Ron, did not think about the coffee filters for the gas. I am going to use your idea.

All great stuff guys. Keep it coming I love all the ideas.  

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on March 22, 2012 at 21:42

The best way to carry water for a group is by the large plastic coolers or even the collapsible vinyl ones that fold up and both kinds usually will hold 5 US gallons or 18.927 litres and will weigh 41.72 lbs (8.345404 per gallon) and therein lies the problem, that's nearly a full load for an adult to carry…You can make up a carrier from some plastic water pipe (capped both ends) twice the width of your shoulders…Friction tie a rope at each end—four, five loops around the pipe before tying it to dangle down…If you can get a hook to tie on it works better as it’s quite versatile that way but just straight tying to the water jug handle and you’re done…You have just built yourself your first “yoke”!

The two+ litre hydration backpacks are excellent in concept and now there are more then the one maker out there be wary of what you're buying...The problem with them is that you have to have a source to refill from (like the above) the other problem with some is that the bladder is right next to the body and therefore heat up quite quickly...We throw a couple of ice packs in the pack next to the bladder when it's filled with beer at the local baseball or football game and if going for a day afield we'll fill it just over ¾ full, throw it in the freezer and the next day fill it to the brim with water and that will keep it cold for most of the day with the ice melting.

The other thing that you can use is the smaller 2 US gallon plastic cans (7.5708 L @ 16.69 lbs) and stick one of those into each pack which even smaller children can carry.

The one thing you have to do is conserve the water...When I was in the Israeli Army in training in the desert we were allowed one (1), uno cup of water to do our morning ablutions with...First I brushed my teeth and spit the rinse water back into the cup...I then dunked my bar of soap to wet it and would run that all over my face then shave rinsing the razor in the cup...Sticking the corner of my towel into the cup I'd then wash my face...Wetting the corner again I then would wash my pits and crotch and then rub the soap on the wet corner and wash my feet...Dip the towel to absorb all the water and then go over everything again then drape the wet towel around your neck.

Cooking say potatos or other vegetables drain the water into another pot and use that for washing the dishes afterwards and the hands beforehand but don't throw it out as you can use it again the next morning to wash you and the dishes with.

To reduce your craving for water while trekking, stick a small stone in your mouth and suck on that but I much prefer hard candy to do the trick so I'll go and buy a two pound package of diabetic, sugar free, hard candies and we'll all keep some with us…We also have some of the sugared ones for when we need a little boost of energy.

You can make your own MAYDAY water pouches and they’re very easy to do…All you need is some Zip-Lock or other sealing type vinyl plastic bags and what’s nice is they can be stuck into places that would go void in your pack…Also, speaking of vinyl, another excellent emergency water carrier is a condom.

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 23, 2012 at 9:00

Shlomo...

Great story and good advice.  Readers might watch out for the sugar free candy as some will cause diarrhea which will exacerbate your bodies need for H2O.  I found this out in Iraq.  I was the head of the 911 Center in Tikrit, teaching the Iraqi Emergency Communications personnel about emergency response, documentation and asset management.

Well about every two to three days I would bring from the military PX some American made cookie or candy and share with the whole office and communications center.  Things like Oreo cookies, Chips Ahoy and Jolly Ranchers.  Well the Iraqi people as a whole are very social and polite.  So each employee would come by and take one or two cookies and return to their work station.  Then one man would come up and take four or five cookies and if a few minutes he would return and eat the rest.

Fate would have it, my Aunt sent me some sugar free candy.  This candy tasted real good.  But I knew if you eat more than three pieces in an hour you would experience lower gastric bowel eruption.  My Iraqi employee must have had a sweet tooth because he really liked this candy.  He went back time and time again and eat about fifteen pieces.  It only took about twenty minutes and he was in the restroom making noises like he was Fat Bastard in the Austin Power's movie.

A few days later I brought Oreo cookies and my friend took only two.  I guess there was a lesson learned.

Thanks Shlomo

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