Posted: 10/25/2007 2:03:53 PM EDT
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Do you guys have them? If so from where? Your thoughts on them? I have actually bought a case of bottled water (Aquafina) and simply leave it in the trunk, but was thinking of something I could put in a box/bag/vest and forget about it. I figure four of these in a relatively inactive situation would be enough to get-to/hold-out-for a bigger supply (that day I mean LOL) Think I could vacuum bag my own distilled water? I've gotten pretty creative with my sealer  .Here is a link to what I am talking about (just the first result from googling "water packet"). They're only 4.225 oz though (seems to be the rule of thumb for these things)  www.raytechcatalog.com/product_info/mainstay-emergency-water-packets-case-317.html |
This could be even better, especially at 8.45oz per box. www.preptek.com/Water_Packets-CASE_QUANTITY_Aqua_Blox_3_Pack_Drinking_Water.html |
I have some of those mainstay packets from www.theepicenter.com/ I think.. anyhow, yes they are 4oz which means that 4 = 1 16oz bottle of water.. the portion is based on some kind of survival at sea rationing scheme, however they do have a 5 year shelf life (probably more, realistically). I havent cracked one open to try it - I guess Im presuming its just plain water in there  .I have some in my under-desk bag at work, because they pack down better than bottles, and I wont end up drinking them in a non-emergency situation.  |
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I have one case of the mainstay packets, and a couple cases of Aquablox. My #1 lesson learned - first, figure out shipping. Second, add it to the raw cost. Third, made a decision on where to buy from. Also note that at least one vendor that says "Free Shipping" has a very fine print (i.e. at the time totally unlabelled) "except on water" exception. Walton Feed (linked above) has always been reasonable, and I buy other stuff from them as well. |
These little water bags are something I don't understand. What is so difficult and intrusive about 8 or 10 - 16 ounce bottles stashed away in your truck. Plus the bottles serve other purposes afterwords, and try refilling one of the little boxes or bags then resealing them.
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i think it has to do with the fact that as many plastic water bottles heat up in the car, over time the chemicals in the plastic leak into the water. some of these types of bags (im thinking the foil mayday ones) may prevent this chemical change, or change in taste. i honestly dont know and i could be wrong. having said that, i keep a shitload of the foil ones in my car, and one day, on a road trip, my gf needed water to take some pills. we had no water bottles so she drank one of the packets and it tasted great. it was 4 years old. |
Ah, actual experience with the product, thank you. Yes my reasoning is "set it and forget it" mentality. Glad to hear that the 5yr "lifespan" is basically true The case of bottled water I put in the trunk is usually gone in 2-3wks  I have found that Aquafina and Kirkland water seem to taste the same after many heating/cooling cycles (even under direct sunlight) Zephyrhills tasted like poison after just one cycle, you literally CANNOT drink the first sip, spit it right out. 
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each of them have a 5 year shelf life. im sure theyd last a year or so longer than that, but im not too sure. These are the ones I purchase. I know I know its ebay but I've been ordering these for a while now. It comes with 4 of those lifeboat rations and I toss those in the truck and give them out to my family and friends. The water packets arent those plastic ones, these ones are foil, and in the cold the water is cold, and if you need to heat them up, I'm sure you can throw them on a rock on a sunny day or something. Datrex Ration and Mayday Water |
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I have them. ANd, like anything, they are excellent if you use them properly.... If you use them to stick in your truck and intend to use them as you would a "case of aquafina", you are probably wasting money unless you have serious freezing/heating issues in your ao. I keep a case of aquafina in my car and I change it out frequently during the summer. However, here in the frozen north, keeping water in your vehicle can get tricky so I usually stash a few in the car when I have to remove the bottled water for the season. But, where these packets really shine for me is in my BOB and GHB kits. I put six 4oz bags in a ziplock bag inside of an old MRE outter bag secured in duct-tape. Like we all should, I have multiple ways of collecting, treating and storing water in my kits. And, up here in the frozen north, finding sources of water won't be difficult in an emergency. BUT......what these packets give me is a gauranteed immediate potable water supply that is much more portable than bottles. If I have to be moving fast towards home or bugging out, I know that I have at least 24-36 hrs before I really have to even think about hydration issues. I have gone without water, on several occasions for upto 48hrs. I think (hope) I know myself and my limits fairly well and I have confidence that I can stay pretty well functioning for that amount of time with 24ozs (6x4oz). In my area, twin cities of MN, collecting water will be easy. However, it will slow me down, dictate specific routes and expose me. If the situation means those are bad things, I can keep humping on and use the packets for what they were intended for.....emergency, bare minimum, prevent crippling dehydration water sources that you can toss in a bag and forget about for 5 years. of course....YMMV |
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The nice thing about the AquaBlox and similar products is that they aeseptically packaged, sterile. This is far beyond what any bottled stuff goes through. I too carry them in the cars, and have a few cases around the house. Yes, they can be expensive o nthe face (base+shipping), but sterile water has many uses, not only life sustaining, but first aid as well.... |
it starts to dehydrate so you gotta add h20 to have it worth a damn when you use it past that date  water is water. issue could be container break down.... hell ya could if ya had the stuff..seal h20 in your own mylars
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I tried leaving some of these in the trunk of the car inside a plastic milk crate type box. Within 6 months most were leaking from the bottom corners. I suspect that being jostled around and rubbing did them in. Not as durable as I'd like to see. |
One of the chemicals in the soft plastic water bottles is an estrogen mimicker and is suspected in causing male infertility as well as promoting early female puberty... I don't think the foil ones have such problematic chemicals in them. |
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