[Philmont]: Safe Drinking Water was Polar Pure

Here is what the 2004 BSA Fieldbook (pages 122-125) says about Safe Drinking
Water.

Boiling
Advantages
1/ 100 percenst effective.
2/ Simple to do.
Disadvantages
1/ Requries a stove and fuel or a campfire, as well as a pot.
2/ Takes time.

Chemical Treatment (such as Polar Pure)
Advantages
1/ Effective against viruses and bacteria.
2/ Simple to use.
3/ Inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient to pack.
4/ A good backup to carry in case you can't boil or filter water.
Disadvantages
1/ Not always effective against all protozoa. (FYI: Protozoa are
single-celled organisms found in nearly every kind of habitat, but most are
found in aquatic habitats. Giardia is one protozoa.)
2/ Requires a waiting period before water can be considered safe to drink.
3/ Can leave a chemical taste in the water.
4/ Can lose potency over time.

Filtering
Advantages
1/ Effective against protozoa and bacteria. Filters equipped to add chemical
treatment might also kill some viruses.
2/ Filters come in a range of capacities and designs to fit the needs of
groups according to their size and the duration of their journeys.
Disadvantages
1/ Filters can be expensive.
2/ Filtering elements must be cleaned or replaced frequently.
3/ Pump mechanisms of filters might malfunction.

David K. Palmer
Scoutmaster - Olympia (Wash.) Troop 266
2003 Crew 726-O Trek #24
Every Scout Absolutely Matters

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Received on Sun May 23 15:31:06 2004