I think there are basically two situations here: First priority is SURVIVAL. If you need water to LIVE, then obviously you will use the method which is most suited to your environment. That is, if you are at sea, unable or unwilling to get ashore, you will either have an osmotic pump, or you will have the means to trap rain water, which of course presupposes you are in a climate where you can expect rain. You will have planned ahead. We don't get much rain in this part of the world. If you are ashore you have a variety of methods at your disposal; finding friendly humans, finding a stream or, digging a seep, trapping rainwater, using your osmotic pump, using plant life, [ bulbous tubers etc ] , or the still as outlined by Hal. I seem to recall John Dowd used a similar still on his South American expedition, and there is a photo of his still in his book on long distance touring. Obviously all this means you are dressed for the occasion. That is, you have looked ahead, prepared and practised with the appropriate kit. For example there is not much point trying to rely on a still when you are unable or unwilling to either carry the appropriate amount of fuel, or cannot expect to find fuel [ firewood ] ashore. I cannot ever envisage myself in a situation where I have enough stove fuel to run a still, so a wood fire is the go. Which means you carry the appropriate foul weather fire lighting kit. And so it goes. The second scenario is NON EMERGENCY hydration. A critical issue of course, because hydration quickly becomes dehydration. We all know that by the time your body is saying " I am thirsty" you are already mildly dehydrated. I belong to the school which says 'you cannot drink enough water'. My water consumption is easily one litre an hour under moderate exercise conditions. I carry lots of water because I paddle in the ocean in temperate to sub tropical conditions. And over the years, this old dog has worked out that, psychologically, a reliable water supply, is half the mind game battle. And that is why I carry a manual osmosis pump as backup. cheers, peter rattenbury, Oz *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 10/1/01 5:58:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ratten_at_uow.edu.au writes: > > Huw, we have similar problems in Oz. I have a PuR 35, which you will see > from the web site already posted, is a larger manual version than the O6 > model. I traded off the larger weight and bulk of the 35 for ease of > operation. Peter, I've seen the specs for water output for both the 06 & 35, and I've heard several say that they'd rather die of thirst than again try to provide water for themselves with the 06 because it is more energy-consumptive than the specs would lead you to believe. Have you used the 35 for long trips where you have provided all your drinking and cooking water needs? Is it doable on a sustained basis? How would you characterize the amount of work needed to provide 1.5 gallons per day? Thanks for your input. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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