Sourcing, Filtering, and Disinfecting Water from the Wild
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- If you use water filters, you should really check out the Grayl Geopress as a quick and easy option for sourcing water on the go. If you don't use filters, I show you how I use fire and a single-walled stainless steel bottle to boil the water to thermally disinfect it and make it safe to drink.
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I know I already posted a comment but I'd like your opinion and thoughts on the article in the link
slate.com/technology/2018/02/filtering-stream-water-or-fresh-water-is-medically-unnecessary.html
I have read this article. My personal opinion of it as an outdoorsman and a Biology major is that it’s mostly nonsense, meant to be controversial to get more folks to read it and see all the advertisements in it. It uses a fallacy to informal logic called “Argument from ignorance” to lead people to believe that something is false because they don’t believe it has been proven true. Kind of that “absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence” sort of thing. It also goes on to state that “Because the outdoor recreation community is far whiter, wealthier, and better educated than the U.S. population at large, it’s an interesting case study in how misinformation propagates through privileged communities.” Those are ridiculous implications to make. To the articles credit, it is true that these pathogens are not present in all water. It admits that it is obviously present in some water. What I think it leaves out is that there is no way to tell whether or not it is or isn’t, so that’s why we filter to be safe.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret you know, I said your last sentence at least twice while reading this and thought better educated etc had nothing to do with knowing whether a water source was safe. That's why I brought it to your attention. I had to see if I was right. Thank you.
Turning opening down stream is something I hadn't considered before. Good info..
Getting survival lessons from a Ranger/Green Beret....for free.....absolutely amazing stuff.
Love the channel and the knowledge being passed on, appreciate it loads.
Also a big big thank you for your service - from your brothers across the pond in the UK.
Also, if you don't have a filter dig a hole next the stream and let the hole fill up with water. The water seeping into the hole will be filtered by ground around the hole, this is a good trick for most applications. And if you're not sure, boil the water if you have the means to do so.
Excellent video. I had never considered turning the bottle opening down stream. Thanks for educating me.
Recovering from Giardia right now. I wasn't drinking any dirty water, but I did some swimming. Glad I found your video for future backpacking trips. Taking notes.
I like the bottle toggle idea!!
Always good info. One think I've found that keeps the filtering rate faster for longer and lengthens the operating life of the Grayl is prefiltering with a doubled bandana when collecting.
I'm sitting here thinking how I always gather water with the bottle pointed the wrong direction. Thank you for that tip!
Brilliant clove hitch trick. Thanks!
It's the simple things, huh? You and instructors like you are why I watch these videos; for the sh*t I don't think of myself. There's a reason you do this and people PAY to go to your classes. Keep up the good work, sir (thumbs up emoji here lol)
Thanks! I appreciate that. I try and assume nothing and figure somewhere somebody doesn’t know what I’m showing yet
Man Josh, excellent video! I knew none of these methods. Never heard facing your container downstream nor ever seen the toggle method of removing the container from the fire. Also didnt consider the importance of having your fire all the way around the container while boiling. Brilliant sir. Thank you!
Good stuff man! Gotta get me one of those Grayl filters. Liked the technique for the bottle toggle too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I learned two good tips, the toggle and opening down stream.
I'm just going to start giving you a thumbs up before I finish watching the video. Thanks a lot great information keep it coming.
...the toggle.... brilliant...
I saw the fire and thought "hey, I know that fire structure ! You can raise up the tender to let in air if you want... Wait, is that the exact one?" 😁. It is amazing to me how many obvious things I don't know until they are pointed out. It makes perfect sense to point the opening away from the flow... But until you said it it never would have crossed my mind.
Solid video. Value added content. Bottle toggle great call
Common sense and great straight up education. Thanx.
The Grayl water purification system rocks! Good video and info...
Love the toggle never heard of or seen that before.
I am just learning all of the knots. Now that I know the basic knots like the Clove Hitch, I need to know how to use them. Thank you for teaching me one application of what to use this one on! :)
Good stuff. Short and to the point.
Always love your videos. Keep it up!
Good instruction! Keep it simple.
Thank you, Josh!
Thanks for the demonstration and tips. Have a nice day
I have the same system. Durable and simple to use.
Second time around, just as good as the first time. If you weren't demonstrating disinfection, you could transfer from the Grayl to the stainless too.
Absolutely could and would!
Love this channel, thank you!
Great tips Josh.
Nate
Thanks for another great video. You are a natural born instructor.
I mean, he was ODA... teaching people was pretty much his job, hah!
This is true.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret DOL!
I felt like I was cheating the first time I used my Grayl. But the water you get from it is amazing. Especially on a hot day from a cold stream. Not only physically refreshing but mentally uplifting too.
I have a Grayl. I've used it quite a bit. I'm not pushing up daisy's yet so it must work good 😄
Great info in this video. Thanks for posting.
Awesome content as always!
Another great informative video
Great video, thank you for sharing your information. I am intrigued by your choice of footwear.
Moccasins any time I can
Grayl rocks!
Yes it does. Love this thing
Very good. Thank you very much
Wow 😱 was literally just thinking about you and this today lol 😂 😂 thank you 👊💪🤘
Great info!
I am beginning to feel like I know that little pool so well...
great video
well explained
Joshua, thanks for sharing, atb brother
the filtered canteen how many uses can you get before the filter needs replacing? this was great not many people who go camping would think about using water like this for the fear they would get sick, but if they take the right step to purify their water then they won't.
A like and a comment to help the channel.
You walked up stream to make sure nothing was dead and laying in the water. Let's say hypothetically there was and you didn't know it - what would happen? Would you pretty much be guaranteed to get sick or would the Grayl still help keep that from happening?
Thanks for your time and dedication to educating us. I noticed that the last 4 videos seem to have been reloaded. Was there a problem?
These were all scheduled ahead of time. I’ve been in the road teaching in three states the last two weeks. I’m not sure what that looks like on your end. They are shorter videos extracted from the one larger video so if you watched the longer one you have seen most of the last few already. Different formats for different tastes is all
nice video
Why not pour Grayl water into the steel bottle and refill the Grayl, eventually topping off both?
Good video 📹 👍
Why not pour clean water into stainless steel bottle and refill bottle with filtered water. Then you won't have to light fire for second bottle of water? Really informative videos. Thanks.
I was showing different methods for those that don’t have or use a filter. In my latest video on this, I did just use the filter for both
Couldn't you have poured the filter water from the Grayl into your stainless canteen to get a total of 52oz. (32oz + 20oz)?
Yes, absolutely could have. But the video was meant to show more than just the commercial filtration option so rather than limiting it to the Grayl I wanted to show how to thermally disinfect also
How come you didn't just use the filter water in the other bottle and then filter more water in it? Are you saving the filter??
The video isn’t just about the commercial filter so I needed to show another method for people that don’t use filters.
Couldn’t you pour water from the inner container into the stainless container? If so, when the temps are high outside you wouldn’t have to build a fire. Just a thought
Absolutely could. I wanted to also show boiling for folks that don’t have or use filters. Teaching opportunity
The Gray Bearded Green Beret yes, teach when you can. Thanks
i thought for sure the Lady of the Lake was going to raise to you, your own GBGB Excalibur knife. hey, that fire looks awfully familiar(strokes goatee in deep memory search)
That would be cool. Have to have her sign a release to use it on video
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret true dat!
It’s kind of funny to think people have a hard time sourcing water and even moving water. Here in Alaska water is almost more common than land and moving water is all around you non stop.
Since bank line is coated with tar, is it safe to dip it in boiled drinking water?
My only criticism of you video is that you wasted the coffee...........lots to good info in the video thanks for sharing with all of us.
Thanks again, Josh, for yet another in your long series of exceptional videos! No matter how well I think I know the subject matter, I always seem to glean at least one new detail, each time I see you present it, so thank you for that. And with that in mind, I have a question for you about your various fire lays (collectively)...
So often in your (and others’) videos, I see fire lays constructed much closer to what I’d normally think of as flammable materials (grasses, leaves), etc.) that I have to wonder if it’s that I’m just being over-cautious! As a kid, I was always taught that a 4-5’ circle of bare earth was “the only ‘right’ way to prevent accidental forest fires”. Is that overkill?
Thanks, in advance!
That is probably the safest bet for folks and it makes it black and white and easy to remember. I won’t say it’s overkill without having more information on it. It depends on your environment. In a very dry area with a lot of wind, I will clear an 8-10ft diameter circle because there is a good chance of it getting out of control. In many areas I am filming in, it is an extremely wet environment, the leaves and the dirt underneath are typically very wet and I am less worried about it. For a quick demo fire I will scratch out a small circle since I’m going to let it go out or put it out rather quickly afterwards. For a sustainable fire I intend to have going all night, I will take the time to clear more since the heat will be drying the nearby leaf litter as the fire burns and that could catch. Most of the fires I make in Ohio and the Adirondacks are on wetter ground with wet first floor all around me.
Thanks again, as always! I’m in eastern MA, and grew up south of the Adirondacks, so the terrain is probably pretty similar to what you’re accustomed to.
👍
Would you consider carrying 64 oz on you in that Carrier, or do you believe that is a bit excessive?
In the desert I would. Eastern woodlands with as many water sources as we have, I wouldn’t bother. The exception to that is in the summer I may add a second 32-ounce
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thank you very much for your response. Keep up the good work .
Maybe I missed a video where you discuss those Life Straws. What do you think of those?
I have several and there isn't anything particularly wrong with them, but for the same price I can get a Sawyer Mini. When comparing the two, Sawyer filters to a smaller micron level, filters more total water, and has many different options for using. The Sawyer beats the LifeStraw in my book.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thank you GBGB!
Is there a source for a molle compatible pouch for the Grayl?
I had always heard filtration for particulates and purification for bacteria and viruses. Are filters capable of extracting bacteria and viruses? No need for a two step process?
Great video and channel!
It's not quite that simple, so bear with me here. As far as basic categorical processes: filtration removes particulates, disinfection kills germs but they remain in the water inactive/inert, purification removes them from the water.
There are many methods of achieving all three. Generally speaking, filtration doesn't make it safe to drink, while disinfection and purification do. Where it gets confusing is commercial "filters" actually do make it safe to drink. Usually this is by mechanical filtration (at a micron level smaller than the bug it's filtering out) and/or adsorption from activated carbon.
Filtration in the sense that we are typically doing in the field (with a bandana or other improvised method) without using a commercial filter is doing nothing but removing particulates (so you could think of it as stage one in a two-stage process). Disinfection is typically what we are doing in the field(again, absent a commerce filter with the ability to mechanically stop bugs from passing through it). That can be done chemically with tablets, iodine, chlorine, etc. or by thermally disinfecting (boiling). The germs are still in there, just dead. That could be thought of as step two. It should also be mentioned since your question sort of asked if a two step process was necessary: the improvised filtration step is not necessary, it only removes particulates and makes it a bit more palatable. You can disinfect it alone and it's good to go.
Purification in the field would be difficult to do absent distillation techniques, so it is typically not something I am doing (with the exception of the Grayl addressed below).
Each commercial filter seems to be capable of removing different things and are rated to certain micron levels, so it's too variable to say which one does what without researching each one. Some do remove bacteria and viruses. some even do chemicals and metals. The Grayl Geopress is my favorite option. It actually "removes" viruses, bacteria and protozoa; and "filters" particulates (of course), chemicals, and heavy metals. It is marketed as a purifier and not a filter, and I can't say I disagree with that marketing.
The Gray Bearded Green Beret Great explanation and in line with what I thought, but with the explanation of what commercial “purifiers/filters” can now do pending one’s own research. Thanks again!
Keep the great content coming at whatever pace suits you. Content in videos is King, not volume of videos. You’re doing a great job!
Maybe a dumb ? But do you not need to worry with outside of grayl container or hand getting wet then turning lid open? Or what about cap on the stainless container is it contaimenated transporting water to camp so once boiled cant recap ??
Nice tattoo POW-MIA 👍❤️🇺🇸✝️
Need to see the tips of your fingers for these knots....
Put the lid on the bottle and put it in the water source to let it cool quickly. Tie the bottle off to shore if the water source is deep or rapid to not lose it.
Hey Josh could you maybe try out purinize natural purifying solution? I saw it on amazon and was wondering if you could check it out so all of us can see a probably new kind of way to have some safe drinking water in the wild
That isn’t something I would use or recommend personally, maybe for a home system, but not for the outdoors really. It works by essentially binding to the garbage in the water, so after the 60 minute contact time you then have all that bound garbage in the water that you then have to strain or filter with something clean. Then you have a dirty cloth for the next time so you need a good bit of clean filters. Not to mention it’s $30 for only 30 gallons of clean water plus the cost of whatever filter medium you are using each time. The Grayl Geopress is a better option in my opinion. Similar technology (not exactly the same) that removes the same contaminants and it takes ten seconds per batch instead of an hour and has the filtration and container built in. Once you have the system, the replacement filters are only $25 for about 65 gallons. Hope that helps.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret thanks for responding and giving me some more facts about it. Really appreciate it and I'll definitely check out the Grayl. Thank you also for giving me all your knowledge about the outdoors and wilderness. Thx...AGAIN!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret oh and could you reccomend any other great budget friendly filters?
Rihanna Perez it is a bit dependent on what is in your area, if it’s urban, rural agricultural, etc. I would have to know what you are trying to filter/disinfect/purify out of it.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret well I live in more like a suburban enviroment
Please, write a book. Write several books. Then, the DVD series. Also a class close to Texas would be bitchin. 👍👍👍
I am actually working on some digital media stuff (more cost effective than DVDs)for folks that want more than what is here on YT but can't make it out to classes and a book. Texas class is in December
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret is the class info on Flint&Steel? Many thanks.
Big_Feta6 it’s on selfrelianceoutfitters.com
I am debating weather to get one as I don’t know if they actually work as it claims to remove viruses and that’s a hella big claim and £70 is a lot if i don’t know 100% that it will work and how often do filters need to be changed?
The claim is backed by independent lab testing from the NSF. They're one of the biggest labs to substantiate claims companies and water plants make on their water treatment and safety.
Grayl passes the highest ratings filters of its type can get which is NSF 42 as well as NSF 53. The reason the Grayl only gets 42 and 53 rather than the bigger, more impressive ratings you see on some filters is simply the way it filters. Grayl uses a carbon filter and bases their technology on adsorption rather than hollow fiber membranes. NSF tests tend to focus on hollow fiber membranes and if a filter wants to get NSF P231, the one for microbiological certification, it needs to contain a hollow fiber filter to qualify for the test.
I can't tell you any filter will work 100% of the time but it does carry some guarantees to help out if you're nervous. The filter is guaranteed for 10 years if not used, 3 years if used and then dried properly without reaching the max filtration threshold, and can be frozen and thawed once or twice before being considered unsafe and needing discarded. Each filter will purify 250 liters of water if used on mostly clear water and costs £30 to replace. If you pre-filter your water to get rid of large sediment it lasts longer than trying to filter through mud and sand, basically.
Personally having done a ton of research on the Grayl before buying one I can definitely say I was sketchy too. Overall though they definitely back up their claims, the customer support is awesome, and the things are proven to work. I'll give you a website link to a third party test here where they try out multiple water filters including Grayl and they did find Grayl matched or exceeded the advertising. Best of luck finding a filter or purifier that works for you though and I hope this cleared up anything you needed to know.
www.wideners.com/blog/water-filter-tests-for-survival/
what is that knife hanging? is that a fallkniven?
LT Wright Genesis in the thumbnail if that’s what you mean
Off topic, but what kind of pants or clothes would you recommend for carrying gear& edc?
Any cargo pants would do.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeretreally appreciate it 🙏
There is worms in it but they're alive which is good(:
Nick Kammer : call it soup.
Now protein mixes are too good for you, huh? ;)
I thought about it but he looked shady
Careful with the iodine though. Too much will choke a horse.
There wasn't any iodine use in this video.
Not you. My experience.. Carry on.
Hoppe’s 9 ahhhh, now I understand. Thanks