Water is important for all times, which is why we must always all have a water filter available. When it involves getting water on the transfer there are a number of choices out there to us. While boiling continues to be the gold commonplace for rendering water secure to drink it’s, nonetheless, not at all times sensible. What we want is a filter that’s easy, light-weight, and foolproof. On the floor the LifeStraw appears to suit that description properly.
Having personally carried round a LifeStraw in my haversack equipment for years I can say that it matches a fairly particular function in my survival preps. This is a job that may turn out to be fairly clear as you learn by this LifeStraw water filter overview.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency…
- Award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry instrument for mountain climbing, tenting, journey, and…
- Filters as much as 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water with out iodine, chlorine, or different…
Last replace on 2021-01-20 at 21:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Review
The LifeStraw is about as simple because it will get for water filtration. Simply stick the vast finish into the water supply and suck clean contemporary water by the opposite finish. The LifeStraw is shipped sealed in a bag to maintain it secure and sanitary which is nice for maintaining as part of a longer-term stockpile. It additionally has a lanyard included in case you wish to put on it round your neck.
Appearance
The LifeStraw is a 9 inch lengthy tube with a large finish (the dirty finish) and the other finish having a small orifice wherein to drink from. Both ends have included caps that are hooked up to the straw to be able to keep away from having them misplaced. Visual directions are printed on the facet of the straw as a reminder to prime the LifeStraw earlier than use.
How Does LifeStraw Work
LifeStraw makes use of a hole fibre membrane to filter the contaminates from the water supply. Dirty water is sucked up by the pores within the hole fibres, and because the pores are 0.02 microns in diameter nothing bigger could make it by. The clean water finally ends up on one facet of the membrane with the dirty water trapped on the opposite.
What it Removes
LifeStraw’s 0.02 micron pores are capable of filter out 99.9999% of micro organism and 99.9% of protozoa in addition to 99% of micro plastics. It will nonetheless, not filter chemical compounds, heavy metals, or viruses. The filter will clean about 1000 gallons of water relying on how dirty the water is.
Simple
Aside from needing to recollect to prime the filter, that is such a easy filter system that it could be best to present to a toddler as part of an emergency kit. It additionally permits for a teen to get water from any supply with out having to gather it in a container or need to function a pump or squeeze fashion system. With one or two apply runs any youngster would have the operation of the LifeStraw down pat and if a toddler can do it then any grownup should not have any downside.
LifeStraw Water Filter Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and small 9″ x 1″ and solely 2 ounces
- 0.02 micron filtered
- Filters 99.9999% of micro organism and 99.9% of protozoa.
- Filters 99% of microplastics
- Good for 1000 gallons
- No expiration date
Cons
- Filter should be primed earlier than use
- Can not filter right into a container
- Does not filter viruses, heavy metals, or chemical compounds
What Customers Have to Say
Most clients who’ve bought a LifeStraw appear typically proud of their selection. The essential complaints look like that the filter clogs or that the stream price is simply too low. It appears that a lot of the complaints could also be as a result of person error or failure to know what this filter was supposed for.
Several destructive critiques appears to point that after testing the LifeStraw at dwelling earlier than heading out into the bush the filter did not function within the area. i’ve not had this concern personally and I might recommend that so long as the filter is correctly backflushed and dried it ought to function as designed.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency…
- Award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry instrument for mountain climbing, tenting, journey, and…
- Filters as much as 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water with out iodine, chlorine, or different…
Last replace on 2021-01-20 at 21:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Personal Experience with the LifeStraw Water Filter
My LifeStraw lives in my haversack equipment and its solely job is to be a last-ditch emergency backup. I’ve luckily solely used it just a few occasions and by no means in a real ‘survival’ scenario and located it to be simple to make use of and appeared to work fairly properly. I observed a plastic style within the water which I discovered to be disagreeable however it disappeared after just a few makes use of. The stream price at all times gave the impression to be greater than enough to get my fill of water whereas on the transfer.
One concern i’ve with straw filters like that is that it’s virtually not possible to precisely gauge what is the cost water I’ve been consuming. Not a giant deal I similar to to know what number of liters of H2O I’ve bought downrange. One workaround I’ve discovered is that after a water bottle is empty you may merely fill it with dirty water and drink out of it with the LifeStraw.
As far as cleansing and upkeep I blow air again trough the straw after each use and make use of my very own method for clearing the water and gunk out of it. i’ve discovered that if you happen to blow air again by the filter after which suck air by the filter adopted by blowing air by once more. This alternating of sucking and blowing appears to filter out extra water and particles than simply blowing again by. I additionally like to present the filter a superb shake as properly. When again dwelling I be sure to dry the filter out actually good earlier than storing in again in my haversack.
Also, be sure to take a look at Sawyer Mini Water Filter review, because it’s a detailed competitor to the LifeStraw.
FAQs About the LifeStraw Filter
How is the LifeStraw Used?
Using the LifeStraw could be very easy. First the filter should be ‘primed’ by uncapping and submerging the underside finish into the water supply for no less than 20 seconds. After the filter is primed the person will uncap the highest finish and sip forcefully about 5 occasions drawing water although the membranes and getting the water flowing. After consuming it’s good apply to blow air again by the filter clearing some contaminants and stopping the filter from clogging.
Always cap each ends when not in use to keep up the cleanliness of the LifeStraw.
What is the Shelf Life of a LifeStraw?
The LifeStraw has no expiration date and if cared for and saved both unopened or at all times dry there isn’t a cause {that a} LifeStraw wouldn’t final a lifetime. It is nonetheless solely rated to filter about 1000 gallons however this quantity can be lowered if particularly filthy water is being filtered.
LifeStraw is cheap sufficient that it may very well be thought-about a disposable merchandise what place you could have it in your equipment unopened and use it when wanted and simply throw it away after you get dwelling.
How To Clean a LifeStraw?
Aside from again flushing by blowing air again by the filter there’s not likely any good approach to clean the LifeStraw. I at all times wish to shake any water out of the top of the filter after blowing air again by. The neatest thing to do is to cap each ends when not in use and make completely certain that no cross-contamination happens between the 2 ends of the straw.
How do you Prime a LifeStraw?
To prime a LifeStraw, take away the cap on the top of the straw that’s put into the water supply. Allow the top of the straw to sit down within the water for a minute. Now, uncap the opposite finish and start making attracts by the mouthpiece. It could take just a few makes an attempt earlier than water is pulled by the filter and to the mouthpiece.
How do you Backflush a LifeStraw?
To again backflush a LifeStraw, merely blow by the mouthpiece a number of occasions till a lot of the water has come out of the filter’s finish.
What does a LifeStraw Not Filter?
A LifeStraw’s filter is sized at 0.2 microns which is able to take away virtually all micro organism and protozoa. If a contaminate doesn’t fall inside these parameters, then it almost definitely doesn’t filter it out.
Does a LifeStraw Filter Salt Water?
Unfortunately, a LifeStraw will do nothing to stop salt from passing by the filter.
Can You Drink Sea Water Through a LifeStraw?
The filter in a LifeStraw is not going to take away salt from water. Therefore, the straw can’t be used to drink seawater.
Can You Drink Toilet Water Through a LifeStraw?
In houses that preserve a cleansing schedule, bathroom water just isn’t as dirty as we predict. Bacteria present in fecal matter that could be current in a bathroom must be caught within the filter.
However, there’s the potential of viruses being present in bathroom water to not point out any residue leftover from cleansing provides. When attainable, it’s best to keep away from consuming bathroom water or achieve this at your individual threat.
Is LifeStraw made in China?
LifeStraws are manufactured by Vestergaard Frandsen which relies in Switzerland.
What is Better than a LifeStraw?
A filter that makes use of reverse osmosis has smaller pores than .2 microns and thus can filter out extra contaminants than a LifeStraw.
Verdict
There is little that’s unsuitable with the LifeStraw, as a substitute there are a number of “inconveniences”. The indisputable fact that the filter should be primed and that the one approach to get the clean water is to suck by the filter aren’t a flaws as a result of that’s it’s supposed design.
I carry mine in my haversack equipment which is an efficient spot for a straw filter just like the LifeStraw. This filter is finest suited to both occasional use or as a final resort and that I imagine is a good choice for kids. In my opinion the LifeStraw is nice for bug out luggage, day packs searching kits and another equipment what place you might not need or want to hold your main water filter system however nonetheless foresee the chance of needing one.