We all know that the body is 72% water, yet the
average person walks around dehydrated
much of the time. At the very least, the body is being supplied with less than
optimal levels of hydration.
Without water, there is no survival! Water is the
first resource distributed in disaster situations. Katrina, Joplin, Haiti,
water was in short supply and a resource that people will fight for.
*Book recommendation: Your Body's Many Cries For Water
No need to go into all the health conditions
associated with dehydration, you can Google it, this is a whole class unto
itself!
There are several methods and levels for water
storage. For a 72hr & Base Camp level, we will focus on personal and small
scale water storage.
Portable
vs Stationary...
Portable water storage has the advantage simply due to
the fact it is portable. Faced with a situation where you must pack and go,
such as a wildfire, being able to take your water is essential!
Stationary water has the ability to store larger
quantities of water in a convenient and accessible manner. This year, a West
Virginia town has experienced a chemical leak in its water supply that left
residents unable to drink, cook, or even bathe in their tap water.
As with many things, a Multi-discipline approach is
best.
**Our disclaimer... We believe that living spring
water, is the absolute best option for your health. Our bottled water
recommendation is for survival purposes.**
For
personal water storage in prepackaged bottle form, we recommend Crystal Geyser.
Most bottled water companies get less than optimal grades. We chose Crystal
Geyser based on non BPA in the plastic bottle, square shape is easier to stack,
and a 1 gallon size with easy carry handle.
Another
option for storage is the Carboy method.
Water can be used daily and refilled for a constant
fresh supply. Although requiring more room for storage, many people like the
everyday use option. Not all plastic carboys are the same. Better Bottle is non
BPA and leach resistant. Carboys are also made in glass, but the added weight
makes them more difficult to handle.
The
55 Gallon Water storage container can be stored in cool dark
In
addition to the BPA-free 55 gallon drum, the Shelf Reliance Water Storage
System includes extra tools to help you put your water supply to good use: The
high-quality water pump is the ideal accessory for accessing and transferring
water. With 60 PSI at the point of contact, you'll find it to be an
indispensable tool for all sorts of emergency and household situations. The
pump also comes with a special adapter and is adjustable for use on all water
storage containers between 5 gallons up to 55 gallons. The pump can also be
used to draw water from other natural water sources like lakes, rivers and
streams. Included are two (2) advanced filters which attach to the Water Pump
and each yield up to 100 gallons of fresh, clean, drinkable water enough to
fill up the barrel nearly 4 times! Our exclusive filters are the most lab and
field-tested of their kind in the world using EPA protocols and tested to
NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 by Broward Testing laboratory. These filters remove
up to 99.99% of bacteria and other contaminants that can build up over time in
stored water. Using these filters allows you to store water for an extended
period without having to use chemicals to treat before drinking.
Water Bricks
are another method for storage that is both long term and portable. This system
is not the most cost effective, but may be preferable to some, so we have
included it for this purpose. They are easily stacked for space saving storage.
From their Amazon page:
·
Portable: at 3.5 gallons / 13 liters,
small enough to carry, fit in a refrigerator, and under beds
·
Stackable: cross stack and interlock
up to 4 feet; insert a standard ¾ inch PVC for added height
·
Durable: industrial food grade container;
Ultra Violet additive will extend the life up to 15 years
·
Safe Dry Storage: BPA free and FDA
approved; store water, food, ammo or anything you want dry
How much water is needed? The following is from the CDC
website...
In an emergency,
having a supply of clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene is a top
priority. If a natural or man-made disaster strikes your community, you might
temporarily lose access to clean water. Take steps now to store emergency water
supplies, and learn other useful tips for accessing water in an emergency to
reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family.
In an emergency,
drink at least 2 quarts of water a day, 3 to 4 quarts a day if you are in a hot
climate, pregnant, sick, or a child. If supplies run low, don't ration water.
Drink the amount you need today and look for more tomorrow. Don't risk
dehydration.
Water Storage
·
Store at least 1 gallon of
water per person per day for a minimum 3-day supply. This means a family of
4 needs 12 gallons.
·
Be sure to account for pets; dogs and cats typically need 1 gallon
each per day.
·
Store water in a cool, dark place in your home, office, or car.
·
Replace water every six months and be sure to check expiration
dates on store-bought water.
·
If you use your
own containers for storing water, make sure to sanitize them first. To sanitize:
o Wash containers with dishwashing soap and rinse with water.
o Sanitize by swishing a solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid household chlorine
bleach to a quart of water on all interior surfaces of the container.
o Rinse thoroughly with clean water before use.
Avoid re-using
containers that have ever held a toxic substance, containers that can break,
like glass, containers without a tight seal, or plastic milk bottles or cartons
that can be difficult to clean and can break down over time. Use of food-grade
water storage containers, such as those found at surplus or camping supply
stores, is recommended if you prepare stored water yourself.
Making Water Safe in an Emergency
If you run out of
safe drinking water in an emergency, there are steps you can take to make
contaminated water safe to use. REMEMBER: untreated water can make you very
sick. It may contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and germs that cause
diseases like dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis. Never drink flood water.
For ways to make
water safe for drinking or cooking, visit CDC's Healthy Water website. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/safe_water/personal.html#make_safe
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