12th Ed. Stumbles on Water Purification

[TAHAWK]

Sure. We were all tougher in the olden days. Drank the water. Boated without PFD's. No waistbelts on our packs. Unpadded shoulder straps. Drove all night to get to the mountains in those 1960's cars and "wagons." And so?

 

No, I don't think we have devolved, but the "bugs" could be evolving. That's right! They are.

 

The steady and dramatic increase in people in the backcountry means more mammals to spread the parasites giardia and cryptosporidium.

 

Can we agree that we have an obligation to see to the safety of our Scouts, even on weekends when they will likely be home before the violent diarrhea and cramping hits? As noted, if it hits on a wilderness trek of several days duration, you could have real trouble -- the entire crew unable to care for themselves in even the most simple ways and out of cellphone range. Not in the "First World" anymore if that happens.

 

"There is no reliable treatment for cryptosporidium enteritis."

 

"Because many animals carry Cryptosporidium, it is common in both soil and untreated water. Lakes, rivers and streams can become contaminated by runoff which contains waste from infected animals Wildlife can also contaminate water. Research shows that Cryptosporidium can be found in 97% of surface water in the U.S. The amount of the parasite in water sources varies widely. Groundwater can, but is much less likely to, contain Cryptosporidium." American Waterworks Assoc.

 

Experience and happiness with the SteriPen varies. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=13247

 

"Chlorine and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water. They are somewhat effective in protecting against exposure to Giardia, but may not be effective in controlling more resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium. Chlorine is generally more effective than iodine in controlling Giardia, and both disinfectants work much better in warm water." USEPA

 

"Don't rely on chlorine or iodine water purification tablets they're not always effective against giardia parasites. Iodine disinfection, for example, must be carried out for at least eight hours." Mayo Clinic

 

So far as I can determine, the consensus of the authorities is that sodium hypochlorite and iodine products alone are risky to very ineffective to make water safe to drink.

 

The consensus of authorities is that boiling or commercial filtration followed by water treatment chemicals per manufacturer's directions is safe. Simple solution, no? (American Red Cross seems overboard in wanting boil + bleach, but they care.)

 

How KlearWater claims 30 mins max is astounding when the major manufacturer of C. dioxide products, AquaMira, labels their product with exposure times up to four hours.

 

What should not surprise is that Scouting Magazine got it right in early 2001: http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0101/d-outs.html

Just another example of the lack of communication within National Council. Official Scouting publications often contradict, sometimes within the same publication.

 

Other links upon request