What do you guys know about portable type/hand pump water filters? They supposedly filter out bacteria and such. Who has them in their SHTF pack? Who uses them camping? Any experience with one? Brand? Suggestions for which one to buy? What to look for in picking one out?

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Yes, MSR Mini Works.  Stock up on iodine tablets too.

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The Survival Forum…

It's not just for tin foil anymore.

DUH! Sometimes (all the time) I forget about the specific discussion forums around here.
Thanks

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: popular topic in Survival Forum +1 The Survival Forum… It's not just for tin foil anymore.

After looking at the post count

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: popular topic in Survival Forum +1 The Survival Forum… It's not just for tin foil anymore.

Hey, we resemble that comment!  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: popular topic in Survival Forum +1 The Survival Forum… It's not just for tin foil anymore.

I have never thought that.

What sucks is that with all the preparations I have, a hurricane could render them useless. Good thing I don't live on the coast.

Just remember, a FILTER is not a PURIFIER.

<---- Tin-foil wearer.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: popular topic in Survival Forum +1 The Survival Forum… It's not just for tin foil anymore. I have never thought that. What sucks is that with all the preparations I have, a hurricane could render them useless. Good thing I don't live on the coast.

what about twisters??

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: popular topic in Survival Forum +1 The Survival Forum… It's not just for tin foil anymore. I have never thought that. What sucks is that with all the preparations I have, a hurricane could render them useless. Good thing I don't live on the coast. what about twisters??

Don't make me dig a storm shelter........

Damn, now you done it. How much does a storm shelter cost?

They all work, from that Culligan Straw filter up.  

I have used a friends Sweetwater and I have another type.

Katadyn is great, even the filter type.

Just try to find the cleanest water, little sediment, to prevent clogging, and don't use them on salt water

I have two Katadyn Hiker filters, with spare filter elements.  Total outlay for this was only around  $135 +/-.

Also keep various brands of water purification tablets around.  Wal-Mart normally carries the stuff in their camping section.

Drinkable water is a much more immediate concern than food is...

Quoted: I have two Katadyn Hiker filters, with spare filter elements.  Total outlay for this was only around  $135 +/-. Also keep various brands of water purification tablets around.  Wal-Mart normally carries the stuff in their camping section. Drinkable water is a much more immediate concern than food is...

Yeah, I have the same setup (although only one Hiker, with a few spare filters).  You can go without food for 2+ weeks but you cannot go without water for more than a few days!

I have used the Hiker in camping situations.  I like the Hiker because the filter is fairly compact and the output valve fits directly into a Nalgene bottle, so no spillage.  The Hiker is NOT a purifier so do like GySgtD said and buy some purification tablets.  You can also buy purifiers but I have never used one.  The Hiker has always worked well for me.

At home, I also rotate a few 5 gallon containers of spring water.  They're very cheap and easily available at supermarkets.  They will store in cool dark places for over a year but to keep them fresh, just use one every so often and replace it with a new one.  

FYI, modern water filters DO purify... Most don't filter viruses but that's only a problem if you are filtering next to a cattle farm or slaughter house. They work..

For total SHTF filtering in a portable filter, the First Need will do it all and the Katadyn Pocket will last longer than irradiated cockroaches.

Dave