The Lifestraw is a convenient portable water filtration device that I often use during hiking and camping trips. They say it will filter 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites and reduce turbidity down to 0.2 microns. I always used it in freshwater sources that appeared to be fairly clean. In this test, I show what happens when using the Lifestraw in a very turbid stagnant muddy puddle. Would you drink this water?
Follow me on Facebook.com/chadzuber
Follow me on Instagram @zuberchad
Lifestraws are not the most user-friendly filtration device. If you’re really stuck drinking from a muddy puddle you’re probably going to want two bottles, a scrap of fabric as a pre-filter so you don’t clog your actual filter, and a more ergonomic filter (i.e. a sawyer squeeze if on the go, or a gravity bag system if in place). Scoop the mud water with one bottle, pre-filter into the other bottle, then use your filter.
Lifestraws are not the most user-friendly filtration device. If you’re really stuck drinking from a muddy puddle you’re probably going to want two bottles, a scrap of fabric as a pre-filter so you don’t clog your actual filter, and a more ergonomic filter (i.e. a sawyer squeeze if on the go, or a gravity bag system if in place). Scoop the mud water with one bottle, pre-filter into the other bottle, then use your filter.