Water Purification in Bushcraft

Water Purification in Bushcraft

Water collection is something you will need to do at some stage while on a bushcraft week or weekend, Look for a suitable source, a flowing water source is generally more preferable than a static one, but no matter where you take your water from, be aware of sewage and visible contaminants at source.

Provided your source looks clean and is suitable for collection, i.e. easily accessible and risk free, you have various contaminants which you will need to remove before drinking, If ground water is not workable, think of other methods of water collection, such as vapour collection from plants using a plastic bag or a condensation pit. The main hazard from all water comes in 5 main categories:

1. Water Clarity – Floating particles, sediment, debris and decomposing matter.

2. Parasites – Waterborne organisms that rely on other organisms to survive or feed on, such as worms or protozoa, which can carry diseases harmful to humans

3. Bacteria – Single celled organisms which cause disease. Bacteria are generally classified as either helpful or harmful. Bacteria are found everywhere, and appear on every surface and every part of the human body. The helpful bacteria are commonly found in yogurt and cheeses, and are good for digestion. The other types are harmful bacteria, those that you may be more familiar with are:

A) Streptococcus Progenies responsible for skin infections and sore throats etc

B) E-Coli responsible for gastrointestinal diseases

C) Vibro Cholerae responsible for Cholera

D) Enteritis Salmonella responsible for food poisoning

E) Salmonella Typhi responsible for the deadly Typhoid

4. Viruses – Viruses cause disease in organisms that they infect, they are microscopic and are unable to be filtered out of water, and Viruses are measured in Billions of  micrometers (nano) as opposed to protozoa which are measured in thousands of  micrometers. (A micrometer is a millionth [10(-6)] of a meter.)

Viruses are quite often responsible for Diarrhoea transmitted mainly by water. Hepatitis A and Polio are also among the more serious viruses that can be transmitted in faecal water, which is why if you travel to foreign countries that it is very important to know that any salads or vegetables have been washed with pure clean sterile water prior to consumption.

5. Chemical pollutants – Pesticides or heavy metals are often the result of agriculture, chemical pollution or mining. Dead fish and vegetation are clear signs of serious chemical pollution. Chemical pollution is often not as obvious so you need to be careful; the signs are much more subtle. With a little bit of pre-trip research we can judge if we are visiting an area where chemical pollutants may be an issue (for example will you be near mining or sewage, or is there a lot of agriculture nearby which could pollute nearby water sources.

How to Deal with Water Contaminants

It is unusual to have to deal with all 5 types of contaminants, but as a rule you should remove any particles by filtering first then follow up by boiling. Consider using a water purification pump that combines filtration and chemical treatment.

Remember the first basic principles, keep things as clear as possible, the important points you need to remember are as follows:

1.Coarse filtration will remove turbidity

2.Microfiltration will remove the larger pathogenic organisms (protozoa and some bacteria)

3.Boiling will kill all pathogenic organisms (at any level)

4.Certain types of filtration (activated carbon) can remove some chemical pollutants

5.Some chemical treatments (chlorine, iodine) will kill many pathogenic organisms (in particular bacteria and viruses), while other treatments (chlorine dioxide) will deactivate all of them

Therefore we can deduce a combination of filtration and a suitable chemical treatment or boiling will deal with any or all of the specific contaminants. If you understand these fundamental principles, then you can start to make wise, informed and rational decisions in your scenario.

The presence of waterborne pathogens is often associated with the presence of humans and domesticated animals and often a result of bad sanitary practice. (excrement contaminating the water). In many places where there has been little or no human activity and no livestock or pack animals, then the water can be free of pathogenic organisms and safe to drink. But remember we can’t know for sure without testing the water.

If locals drink the water, remember that there immune system is used to the surrounding conditions, Pre-trip research will also help you determine which waterborne pathogens are possible, likely or endemic in the country or area you are travelling. This type of research is very important and can help with determining which inoculations, if any, you require before a trip.

For a reliable Chemical filtration system visit ; http://www.pre-mac.com/PWP_MWP.HTM

Camp Food

Hi all, having recently come back from some very welcome time in the woods; I wanted to share my thoughts on a topic very close to my heart.....FOOD.

Starting off, food is very individual to all, so please take my observations with a pinch of salt i am not a doctor (if you excuse the pun)

All food mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated was purchased at a Sainsbury’s Supermarket. Prices are correct as per there website 11/09/12. Calorie information is from the brands own websites.

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In its simplest form we need to breakdown any food requirements in to the following:

How much energy will you be using? 

•  Expending high amounts of energy i.e. Hiking with weight  over 10+km/ shelter building etc
•  Expending medium amounts of energy in physical exertion i.e. hikes without weight <7.5km
•  Expending Low amounts of energy i.e staying static in camp and the surrounding area

The average calorie (kcal) intake for a man per day is 2500kcal . Based on this

• High energy activities –  ~4000kcal/day)*
•  Medium energy activities – ~3250kcal/day
•  Low energy activities – 2500kcal/day

* 4000kcal/day for high energy activities derived from the standard British army 24hr ration pack providing ~4000kcal, thinking of daily energy expenditure of a solider in combat and the number of calories that have been calculated to replenish this
 

From this you can then begin to break this down into the daily consumption of:

•  Breakfast
•  Lunch
•  Dinner
•  Snacks

For the purposes of this article I will be focusing on the low energy activities band as this was my routine. I want to run through the food I bought.

Being static in around camp is something we are all familiar with. Either sitting in front of the fire, going for a stroll through the woods or being stuck in a tent due to bad weather etc.

Breakfast:  Quaker Oats – Oats So Simple Pots – Golden Syrup – 213kcal - £1 

I found using this very tasty and hassle free as there is only your spoon to wash up afterwards

http://www.quaker.co.uk/products/oat-so-simple-pots

Simply just add boiling water to the line and follow the instructions on the back. In 4 mins you have a hot and healthy start to your day.

Very filling, slow release energy to begin the day with and to get you to lunch.

If in a bind you can always keep and reuse the container.

Lunch: Uncle Bens Risotto Pouch - Chicken and Mushroom – 453kcal - £2.29

http://www.unclebens.co.uk/our-products/rice/risotto

I found these pouches in the supermarket and thought i would give them a try. Personally, to eat something this quick and tasty in camp was a real morale boost, and gave me that little pick up that was needed in the afternoon.

Just empty the pouch out into your mess tin, add 100ml of water (a long splash of water in my words) add heat. As it starts to bubble up just stir the risotto around so it absorbs the water. When hot, consume.Also to bulk this out for old times sake i also had a Chicken and mushroom King Pot Noodle 513kcal

Dinner: 250g rump steak 312kcal - £3.00,  Heinz Cheese and Tomato Tortellini  - 229kcal - £1.00

For a little bit of luxury I brought along a steak from the supermarket in my cool bag, this was shared between two, and flame grilled over the open fire on the cooking stick method.

The Heinz pasta comes in a durable plastic pouch, and this was emptied into the mess tin and heated until it started to bubble. Stirring occasionally until hot enough to eat. This was a fantastic purchase, again very tasty and quick to make up. There are also other flavours available.

For desert was a sachet of Cadburys Highlights hot chocolate 115kcal - £0.32  and some marshmallows roasted over the open fire. 

A couple of slices of white bread £0.76/ loaf - 86kcal/ slice were consumed with Lunch and dinner to act as filler.

Final Thought

Taking all the above daily consumption into account, this would have put me in the area for my daily 2500 calories and a whole days food for circa £10.

If space is at a premium, then the breakfast oats can be swapped for the individual sachets of instant oats and the Pot Noodle for a pack of Super Noodles.

I hope this shows that you can get quick, tasty, reasonably priced , low volume food for camping at your local supermarket. Go have a look and see what you can find.

I've not gone into snacks as they are very individual and make up very little of the daily meal. My favourite is http://www.naturevalley.co.uk/index.aspx#/Trail_Mix

Below is a picture of our camp set up for our living, dining and kitchen set up. The Tarp is at about 9ft and gave a real sense of security from the elements. You can make out the camp water container in the lower centre of the picture, the cool bag to the left and the Swedish Army stove to the right.

I hope you have found this as interesting as i did trying new camp food. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask.

Hammer