Of all the elements needed to survive, water is at the top of the list. While there is plenty of water that can be found, it will need to be purified before you can drink it. Understanding how to purify water for survival is crucial for keeping you and your family alive.
Fortunately, there are several ways available on how to purify water in the wild or in the aftermath of a disaster. What follows are the best ways to purify water for survival.
Table of Contents
Ways to Purify Water When You are in a Survival Situation
Boiling
Arguably the simplest method to purify water, boiling consists of raising the temperature of water until it reaches the boiling point. When water is boiled, it burns away all the virus, germs, and organic components that might cause harm.
All you need is a source of heat and a metal container to hold the water, such as a teapot. Be sure the water has boiled for a few minutes before taking it away from the heat source.
Chlorination
Chlorine is quite effective at removing microorganisms along with parasites. You can purchase tablets made from chlorine that are dropped into heated water. You may also use a few drops of bleach that are mixed with water which has already been strained or filtered.
If you have a thyroid condition, you may want to avoid this method. Check with your doctor before drinking water that has been purified through chlorination.
Iodine
Using iodine works the same way as chlorination. You put a few drops of iodine into the water which has previously been filtered or strained to remove larger particles. Once the drops are placed, let the water stand for about 20 minutes before you drink.
The taste of iodine mixed with water may not be pleasing to some people. If you have some type of powdered drink mix, it is recommended that you add it to the water before drinking to remove the iodine taste.
Reverse Osmosis
One of the lesser known, but still best ways to purify water for survival, reverse osmosis is used to purify saltwater. In addition, it can also remove viruses, lead, bacteria, and many other contaminants.
To use reverse osmosis, you will need three canisters, two carbon filters, and a membrane. The first carbon filter is used to get rid of the larger contaminants. Then, the water is forced through the second membrane using pressure. And the last step is to pass the water through the second carbon filter which removes all remaining contaminants.
You will need the filters, containers, and membranes, but the result is how to purify water for survival that can be used anywhere, including the ocean.
LifeStraw
The LifeStraw is a personal water filtration device that is portable, lightweight, and can be carried in your bug out bag. It filters out dirt, parasites, and even bacteria! You can literally drink water from any river, lake, or pond. It is the perfect water purifier in a survival or disaster situation where you need water and don’t have the means to get clean, drinking water.
Sunlight
I know I already mentioned five ways to purify water, but if nothing else is available, you can harness the power of the sun. If you have a clear, glass container, you can pour in the contaminated water and let it sit exposed to sunlight for at least five hours. The heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun will destroy many of the organisms that are present.
After five hours, shake the bottle of water vigorously before drinking.
These are the five best ways to purify water for survival. By employing one or more of these methods, you can understand how to purify water in the wild or after a disaster and survive.
