We tend to take water for granted. It's readily available at the turn of a faucet. What happens when the power goes out or you need to leave your home? You'll get thirsty fast if you don't have a plan. These essential items could save your life!

As a retired Navy SEAL, here are the 7 must-haves for emergency water I recommend for your family:

The Water Gear That Does Double Duty:

Home Emergency or Evacuation

Collect, filter, sanitize, make it taste good... That's it! These 7 items are the very basics that'll keep your family hydrated in any emergency. They're cheap, simple to use, and easy to store in a tote. You can keep it in your car, garage, or basement in case the power goes out. Grab and go if you need to evacuate for any reason. Great for weekend getaways too!

Here's the Amazon link to all the emergency water gear: https://amzn.to/3Xb2uMJ

Power Out? Impending Storm? Family Hike?

These 7 items are essential to your water emergency preparedness:

1) Coleman Water Carrier, 5-Gallon:

The average adult requires 1/2 gallon of water per day.... and that's just drinking water! Snag a couple of these so no one in your family goes thirsty.

• • Folds flat for compact storage and transport (hook and rope included)
  • Heavy-duty polyethylene carrier resists dents and cracks
  • On/off spigot removes easily for quick refilling
  • Opening large enough for ice cubes

Since they collapse for easy storage, you can stash them till you need them. If you're forced to leave your home, fill them up before you go.

2) Sawyer Products SP128 Mini Water Filtration System:

Light... Dependable... Simple to use... You'll start to see a trend. Impress all your friends with this little gem.

• • Rated up to 100,000 gallons
  • Weighs just 2 ounces
  • Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli)
  • Removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium)
  • Also removes 100% of microplastics!

Fill, squeeze, drink... and Go!

3) Coffee Filters:

Not just for brewing coffee! Use these to filter out larger debris when collecting water. I've seen some disgusting puddles you wouldn't want to drink from, but with a little effort and some coffee filter filtering, I was drinking in no time. (Don't forget the Purification Tablets)

4) Potable Aqua Water Purification, Water Treatment Tablets:

If you're going to be drinking from a ditch, best to make sure you won't get sick. These are simple... Throw a couple in your drinking container and wait 35 minutes.  

• • Effective against Giardia Lamblia when used as directed
  • Makes questionable water bacteriologically suitable to drink

These aren't necessary if you're using the Sawyer Mini, but it's good to have a backup plan.

5) Nuun Sport: Electrolyte Drink Tablets: 

Electrolytes.... Fruity Flavor.... what's not to love? Mix with water to keep you powering through whatever life throws at you.

• • Improves hydration
  • Gluten-free
  • No artificial flavoring or sweeteners
  • Keto-friendly

Hides the sometimes offputting taste of Purification Tablets

6) Platypus Platy 2-Liter Flexible Water Bottle:

The backcountry standard in simple, ultralight water management. They weigh almost nothing and take up very little space.

• Can be easily used in conjunction with water filters.
• Accepts any threaded Platypus caps or drink tube.
• Taste-free, as well as BPA-free, BPS-free, and phthalate-free.

Beats reusing old water bottles!

7) Nalgene BPA Free Tritan Wide Mouth Water Bottle: 

Another water bottle??? Yes. This does the majority of the heavy lifting. Its wide mouth accommodates ice cubes, flavor tablets, and brewing tea. Somewhat known fact: You can boil water directly in the bottle over an open flame...It won't melt till all the water evaporates... Science!

• • BPA/BPS Free

  • Dishwasher Safe

  • Fits Filtration Devices

  • Leak-Proof Guarantee

  • Made In the USA

When the temp drops below freezing, carry the bottles upside down to prevent the mouth from clogging with ice. Ice will form at the top of the water in fridged temps... trick that sneaky ice and flip your bottle!

On The Move? Don't Forget The H2O

You shouldn't worry about where to get you're next drink... Throw this stuff in a tote and you're all set for around $100 bucks.

Let this rad comic be your guide... Check it out!

Water is probably the most boring topic when it comes to emergency preparedness. That makes it the easiest to overlook. A small amount of forethought goes a long way when the sink in your home fails you. Do yourself a favor and leave some mental bandwidth for other important things.

You'll be glad you did!

Hope this helps get your mind moving in the right direction.

As always, don’t get caught without a plan. 

Written by: Anders Hayes |  Retired Navy SEAL | Goat Herder (part-time)

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