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adequate heat source and a vessel in which water can be heated.
There is no need to boil for any particular length of time; as
long as water reaches a full boil, no matter the altitude, you can
be confident all bacteria, protozoa, viruses and parasites are
dead. Boiling is time- and labor-intensive compared to other
methods, but it’s reliable. If you’re carrying your fuel with you, it
can also be space- and weight-intensive.
Filtration allows quick access to water, and most filters
don’t affect taste. Many filters make use of small hoses and a
pump so water can be obtained from even the smallest pools,
springs or puddles. Some are unable to remove viruses; this
depends on pore size. Some filters with pores that aren’t
small enough to remove viruses use chemicals to kill them.
Small personal water filters may be too time-consuming to
use for larger groups; multiple filters might be needed.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is widely used to disinfect
municipal water supplies, and as of about 10 years ago,
lightweight, hand-held devices are available for personal water
disinfection. The SteriPEN was the first of these to hit the
market and is still the most well known. The device is turned
on, dipped into the water and stirred for about a minute. It uses
a lamp to emit UV radiation, which destroys the DNA of any
microbes present, rendering them harmless to humans. UV
disinfection doesn’t affect taste, and there is no danger from
overexposing the water to the radiation — longer contact times
increase the margin of safety. Cost is similar to that of filters.
Poison Ivy
Avoid contact with poison ivy (and other Toxicodendron
species such as poison oak and poison sumac) by familiarizing
yourself with these plants and learning where and when you’re
likely to encounter them in your area. Their appearance can
vary significantly by region and season. Poison ivy leaves, for
example, are generally green but may have tinges of red and
often change color in the fall. The leaves are typically almond-
shaped, but one of the three in each cluster may be mitten-
shaped. Edges are often serrated but to varying degrees. A
Google image search is a fine place to start, but not every
image you find on the Internet will be correctly labeled.
The nasty ingredient in Toxicodendron species is urushiol
(
uh-ROO-she-all), an oil contained in all the plants’ tissues.
Allergic reactions to urushiol are common but vary in
severity. If you come in contact with Toxicodendron
leaves, remove the oil from your skin as soon as you are
able; dish soap works well (it is designed to remove oils),
but any available soap should help. Lather and rinse
repeatedly. Soaps and other commercial products specifically
designed to remove urushiol are available. It’s important to
consider that the oil persists on gear and clothing virtually
indefinitely. A washing machine or a thorough scrub with
soap and water will generally remove urushiol.
Symptoms include itching, rash, blisters, weeping sores and
more itching. The fluid that may ooze from the wounds will
not spread the reaction, but any urushiol that persists on skin
or clothing will. Treat the condition with an antihistamine
such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Topical creams may
bring temporary relief of itching, but even those containing
a topical antihistamine or
steroid won’t likely affect
the duration or severity of
symptoms very much. For
serious cases, see a doctor,
who will likely prescribe an
oral steroid.
Blisters
Prevent friction blisters
before they occur by
addressing hot spots — the precursors of blisters. Cover hot
spots with moleskin (a commercially available product used
for blister care) or medical tape to reduce friction. Use scissors
Left: “Leaves of three, let them be.” Learn to recognize poison ivy (and
other Toxicodendron species), and keep your distance.
Below: Ideally, blisters should not be perforated, but it’s better to do so in a
controlled environment than to let it happen in your fin or boot.
Opposite, top: Seabather’s eruption results from contact with larval forms of
jellyfish or other cnidarians (stinging organisms).
Opposite, bottom: Methods for disinfecting drinking water include boiling,
iodine tablets, UV irradiation and filtration.
STEPHEN FRINK
OLIVER CHILDS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM