How to Backpack With Water Purifiers

Backpacking is a fun way to experience the outdoors and learn to cope with the elements. It is physically challenging and requires you to carry everything you need on your back. Unfiltered water can make you sick with giardia and ruin your trip with cramping, diarrhea and severe dehydration. There are several methods of water purification that will ensure you are drinking clean water. The most effective and easiest to use are the Aquamira clorine dioxide drops or a filtered hand pump.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Water Filter

Things You’ll Need:

Water filter
Aquamira Drops

Step 1

Place the tube with attached float in the water source. Place the free tube in a water container.

Step 2

Use the hand pump until the container is full. Remove both tubes and pump until excess water has exited the pump.

Step 3

Pack the pump in the top of your pack for easy access. Surround it with soft objects to prevent breaking.

Aquamira Drops

Step 1

Place seven drops Aquamira in mixing cap.

Step 2

Add seven drops of activator in mixing cap and let stand for five minutes.

Step 3

Add the contents of mixing cap to one quart of water. Shake and let stand for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Pack Aquamira drops near the top of your pack for quick access.

Tips & Warnings

Water can be sterilized through boiling, however, it uses precious fuel that should be saved for cooking food.

Drinking dirty water is dangerous and can make you very sick. Choose the cleanest water source available and purify all of your water, including cooking water and the water used to brush your teeth.

Resources

Backpacking Checklist

Article Written By Zach Lazzari

Zach Lazzari is an outdoor writing specialist. He has experience in website writing as well as standard newspaper writing. He wrote an outdoor column for the Silver World in Lake City, Colo., and articles for Colorado-mountain-adventure.com. Lazzari is currently completing his bachelor's degree online through Arizona State University and lives in southwest Montana.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...