LifeStraw Family 1.0 Water Purifier - opinions

[Unchained]

@MrNoodly- not all of us are mobile yet, and in my area it isn't always possible to just drive away. When the blackout hit in 2011, there was no warning and the freeways became parking lots pretty quickly.

@sternwake- awhile back I was camping with a friend up in the Rockies, and we camped near a beautiful, crystal clear lake. We talked about whether to bother filtering the water, but decided to do it.
The next morning, as we hiked up the trail, I looked down at the lake and spotted some feminine hygiene products (used) and toilet paper in the water.

People can do what they want, but for the small amount of space a filter takes up, I'll keep one with me.

 

[caseyc]

I agree that the product takes a very small amount of space. The filter is both very compact and weighs only ounces. It would be different if the product took up a lot of space and weighed pounds. Given a choice, especially a choice that I can easily make, I would rather be over-prepared than under-prepared. The under-prepared will be at the mercy of the over-prepared for help or handouts, or worse, having to rely on the government or Red Cross for assistance. God forbid that I should eeeeever have to rely on the Red Cross for anything. Plus being over-prepared means I would be in the position to help out those I care for. If I have extras of necessary items, that would mean I can help my family and friends with their needs in case of a dire emergency. However, if I'm under-prepared, that would mean I'd be primarily concerned about my own health and welfare and could not afford to hand out much of anything to anyone else. Just think about that for one moment, and I would venture to guess that anyone would have to agree with that bit of .02 cent logic.

 

[Pikachu711]

I've seen some version of that filter straw at a few stores in town that sell camping gear. That's a nice item to carry if you want to avoid water borne pathogens that could make you sick if you are drinking water that may not the purest to drink. I'm very tempted to buy one of those. Since the quality of water varies to some degree throughout the country it makes sense to be sure the water you're drinking is safe to drink.

 

[MrNoodly]

When the blackout hit in 2011, there was no warning and the freeways became parking lots pretty quickly.

A day without electricity is not a water emergency. In my house-dwelling past I've been in region-wide power outages for up to six days. No problem regarding water.

 

[Unchained]

My point was that just driving away isn't always possible in an emergency.

 

[Thoreau]

Any type of tool or insurance or safeguard--and a water filter is all three--will be seen by some as necessary to secure and maintain, and by others as an unnecessary luxury, even an odd encumbrance.

Some carry weapons, others say, "I've been walking the mean streets for 47 years, and I've never been attacked."

Some have life insurance. Others say, "My brother-in-law has spent $30,000 on his life insurance over the past 35 years, and he's still alive, but working hard to be able to pay for things like life insurance, while I just live healthy and laugh at him...and don't worry about such things."

Some carry tools in their vans or RVs. Others say, "I've been on the road for more years than you've been alive, and any time I've needed a tool I've easily borrowed it from a stranger who stopped to help...or else I just waited for AAA or a mechanic to take care of it. Who needs to clutter up my space, or affect my gas use, with heavy wrenches?"

It seems to me that there's no absolute right and wrong on these issues. There are always arguments for, on the one hand, preparedness and independence, and, on the other hand, for simplicity and traveling light.

The way I try to make such decisions is to weigh (literally and figuratively) the upsides and downsides of carrying/having a particular thing.

I take into account its possible benefits, balanced against:

a) Money cost (initial and ongoing)
b) Space
c) Weight
d) Maintenance requirements
e) Need to protect it/Worry about it being stolen
f) Misc.

In the case of a pocket-sized water filter that can be bought for $20-$30, my own decision is to keep several.

I have several kinds, but I recently found the Sawyer mini water filtration system, which costs about $20, and filters down to 0.1 microns (even the Katadyn Pocket pump filter was 0.2 microns), and can last up to 100,000 gallons. And it's tiny.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FBGCLSC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But I think much of what we carry and don't carry with us, or even own, is a matter not of logic, but of personal comfort and personal preference (to which we of course add logic afterwards): We're all cautious and prepared when it comes to some things, or some areas of life, and remarkably un-cautious and unprepared when it comes to other things.

Or so it seems to me.

 

[caseyc]

Well said Thoreau. Thanks for the link for the Sawyer product, I've added it to my Amazon cart! Is this your first post? If so, welcome to the forum! -Casey

Any type of tool or insurance or safeguard--and a water filter is all three--will be seen by some as necessary to secure and maintain, and by others as an unnecessary luxury, even an odd encumbrance.

 

[Thoreau]

Hi CaseyC,

Yes, the Sawyer filter seems like a good deal: Inexpensive, filtering out smaller particles than even far more expensive competitors, and with a very long life, too. (Reviews say that it can also be screwed on to many bottles, including a 2-liter soda bottle...that would be used as a handy water collection bottle.) By the way, the slightly larger size Sawyer is advertised as filtering up to ten times the amount of the mini-filter.

The former comment was my first post to these re-designed forums. I had relatively few comments on the old forums, under a previous screen name which was haphazardly chosen. Once the new forums were in place, and they required re-registering, I didn't bother transferring over anything...but instead simply chose the name of a writer and philosopher whose ideas I find resonant.

 

[Reducto]

I wound up ordering this Sawyer filter, haven't received it yet:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SO934W/

I'm trying to get to a point where I rarely need to drive back into town and water was becoming the bottleneck - I'm hoping this will keep my 7 gallon tank full. You just fill up the 2 liter bag, hang it up, and let clean water drip into your container. It seems similar to the lifestraw in the OP.

 

[akrvbob]

Reducto, that looks like a great product. I think the gravity filters are the way to go! I have a MSR and it is a great filter, but the pumping gets old!

I'd been thinking about the Platypus gravity system, but one of the reviews compared them and said the Sawyer plugged less. Sawyer has a good reputation for quality products at great prices.

I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback about it!
Bob

 

[Willy]

The gravity feed system kinda exemplifies the KISS principle and is more attractive to the lazy boys (ME ME ME!) out there. I've had the pump style ones (a Katadyne and MSR) and found them to be a PITA. ..Willy.

 

[offroad]

The LifeStraw Family 1.0 is equipped with special features and specifications that enable water filtration and purification on the go. thanks

Have a life straw myself. Never used it but it is available when I need it.

 

[caseyc]

My Life Straw is also brand new in the package. I'm hoping I never have to see the day where I must use it in a life or death situation, haha!

 

[Mac J]

My Life Straw is also brand new in the package. I'm hoping I never have to see the day where I must use it in a life or death situation, haha!

Does anyone know if these Life Straws have a shelf life?