On Thu, 18 Aug 2005, Gordon Williams wrote:

> When I read:
>
> "The last chamber consists of granulated active carbon, which role is to
> take the main part of the bad smell of iodine, and to take the parasites
> that have not been taken by the pre-filter or killed by the iodine. The
> biggest parasites will be taken by the pre-filter, the weakest will be
> killed by the iodine, and the medium range parasites will be picked up by
> the active carbon. "
>
> I didn't give the rest very much credibility.  Activated carbon takes out
> odors and some organics by adsorbtion but does nothing for parasites,
> bacteria, etc.
>
> Sucking through a 15 micron filter must be a lot of fun ...
>
> I wouldn't trust my life with it.

There are those drinking water making machines in lifeboats, no ? One of 
those could be scaled down to the size of a thermos and made portable. 
They use inverse osmosis and salt pills afaik. The inverse osmosis is 
powered by muscle power (handle or crank or pedal).

Example:

http://www.nitro-pak.com/index.php/cPath/40_246?osCsid=bc827d91fa61d81af4b5de58e8d83c64

Not exactly $2/day unless you plan a really long trip (about 2 year long 
at the price of this device - the 06 device).

However as far as I know these will filter most critters from water 
(probably even viruses and most solutes). Followed by an active charcoal 
filter the result should be potable.

Then they have this:

http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_72/products_id/820

Peter
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