The LifeStraw brand is the most popular brand of personal filtration straws on the market because of how long they have been around. There are more brands entering the market creating competition for the LifeStraw brand, but information on how they perform is limited compared to the LifeStraw. In an emergency I do not want to take a chance on knowing if a product will do what it is supposed to therefore I prefer the Life Straw over the competition. This however does not make it the best on the market.
What it is
This is a personal straw that can be used in outdoor and emergency situations where you need water. If you have a water source, LifeStraw will make it safe to drink. The straw will filter out most all impurities that can make you sick and can treat up to 1000 gallons of water. It is simple to use in that you drink right from the water source with the straw. The filter is 0.2 microns and will extract all organisms larger than this size from the water you may want to drink from.
This filter is small and lightweight so having it with you during an emergency will not be an issue. It will fit easily in your bug out bag or emergency kits. This makes it easy to have the kids carry their own straw with their other supplies during emergencies.
How it Works
The simple use makes LifeStraw great for use in outdoor and emergency situations because you just soak the LifeStraw in the water for a few minutes and then drink through it like a normal straw. Because it is a filter, expect some resistance and know you will have to work harder than when using a regular drinking straw. Once you are finished drinking with the LifeStraw, you must blow out the excess water so it will be ready to use the next time.
One downside to the LifeStraw and others like it is that you have to get down to the level of the water to drink. This could put you or your family in harms way depending on the source.
One other consideration for this type of filter is how difficult it could be for a small child to use, and if this is a concern then a pump type filter may be the better choice.
Why You Need One
I have gone over the importance of having water during an emergency in other post, and the LifeStraw can be easily stored with your other emergency supplies. This will give you safe drinking water during any emergency or disaster, and be one less thing you have to worry about while keeping your family safe. If you have a water source then you have drinking water. Just remember to get one for every family member to have with their kit.
Why LifeStraw
Is this the best survival filter straw on the market? Probably not because I have seen others that have a filter pore size of 0.1 microns which is smaller than the LifeStraw, but LifeStraw has been around for a while with a company that will back up their product.
I have read reviews on the LifeStraw and as with any product there are negative reviews, but I did read some from military personnel deployed overseas who depend on the LifeStraw while there. If it is good enough for them, then it is great for me. Knowing that this is a product that military members purchase when they know they are being deployed gives me peace of mind that I can trust it will serve me well when I need it most.
Conclusion
There are many water filters designed for emergency use on the market, and one of the simplest designs is the LifeStraw design for personal use. Even if you plan to store water for emergencies you cannot go wrong with getting a Lifestraw for a backup. If you have not made plans for water during emergencies then get you a LifeStraw for each member of your family, and you will have one less thing to worry about. This is the simplest purchase you can take to ensure the survival of your family during an emergency, so get yours here.
If you have used the LifeStraw and found it to work great, or even not work as you expected, I would love your feedback to share with others. Please leave a comment below about your experience, or if you have a question please ask and I will do my best to answer it for you.
