Issues with drinking the water when travelling

[Rosed]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

The comments below have been split off into a separate discussion. Several comments regarding the thread resurrection have been removed after the split.

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I had a very bad bout of Tut's revenge in Egypt while diving at Sharm el Sheikh. At least i/3 of our group came down w/it and it lasted DAYS! Even being careful about the water etc. I could not verify that the boat crew who also prepared our meals were not also the cause. (Washing vegetables etc. in the local water.) I would suggest not even rinsing your toothbrush in local tap water. For my next trip I will be investing in a Steripen. Read reviews at REI.com and type in Steripen. It has mostly rave reviews! I will use this to treat the local tap water etc. and it will become part of my travel kit. Good luck!

 

[judydivescoz]

This thread is over 2 years old. Why would you revive it bringing up something that happened in Egypt???

 

[cruiser]

I had a very bad bout of Tut's revenge in Egypt while diving at Sharm el Sheikh. At least i/3 of our group came down w/it and it lasted DAYS! Even being careful about the water etc. I could not verify that the boat crew who also prepared our meals were not also the cause. (Washing vegetables etc. in the local water.) I would suggest not even rinsing your toothbrush in local tap water. For my next trip I will be investing in a Steripen. Read reviews at REI.com and type in Steripen. It has mostly rave reviews! I will use this to treat the local tap water etc. and it will become part of my travel kit. Good luck!

Rosed--Is Egypt's water generally suspect? I wouldn't drink water in Mexico but is this standard fare for traveling to Egypt?

 

[DandyDon]

This thread is over 2 years old. Why would you revive it bringing up something that happened in Egypt???

S/he is new and lost again...

Rosed--Is Egypt's water generally suspect? I wouldn't drink water in Mexico but is this standard fare for traveling to Egypt?

Water, food, servers, cooks, etc. or so I have read. When you leave the US, you leave the US - and that part of the world is infamous. Take Water Purifier Portable Water Purification System - SteriPEN and meds for food poisoning. You can get better answers on that geographic forum tho.

 

[cruiser]

Water, food, servers, cooks, etc. or so I have read. When you leave the US, you leave the US - and that part of the world is infamous. Take Water Purifier Portable Water Purification System - SteriPEN and meds for food poisoning. You can get better answers on that geographic forum tho.

Good to know

 

[Rosed]

Yes. Egypt's water is awful. Do not drink any tap water period. I only posted this info so people will know they have alternatives to iodine pills etc. The Steripen kills the DNA in suspect water and from what I read takes 45-90 seconds to purify 16-32 oz. using UV.

 

[Aigtbootbp]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!
But what the hell, here is my two cents.
We just bought a Steripen, I did a lot of research and it does seem like a hell of a product. Just remember to get the proper type of batteries (read the manual) and use it only clear water (once again, read the manual).

 

[ggunn]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!
But what the hell, here is my two cents.
We just bought a Steripen, I did a lot of research and it does seem like a hell of a product. Just remember to get the proper type of batteries (read the manual) and use it only clear water (once again, read the manual).

I don't see a need for it on Cozumel. Bottled/purified water is ubiquitous and the ice is all made from it. I am perhaps over cautious - brushing teeth with bottled water, careful not to get water in my mouth in the shower, etc. - but I have never felt the need to purify water for myself there.

 

[DandyDon]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!
But what the hell, here is my two cents.
We just bought a Steripen, I did a lot of research and it does seem like a hell of a product. Just remember to get the proper type of batteries (read the manual) and use it only clear water (once again, read the manual).

There is a powder product that can be mixed with 5 gallons of water to remove all bad stuff, even cloudy water, by pouring thur a T-shirt. I tried to find some of camping & hiking, but it all went to Haiti. http://www.purpurifierofwater.com/preparation.html

I don't see a need for it on Cozumel. Bottled/purified water is ubiquitous and the ice is all made from it. I am perhaps over cautious - brushing teeth with bottled water, careful not to get water in my mouth in the shower, etc. - but I have never felt the need to purify water for myself there.

Yeah, I just take a 5 gallon jug to the room there since I like make my own coffee, soak dentures, etc.

 

[BTravlin]

Yes. Egypt's water is awful. Do not drink any tap water period. I only posted this info so people will know they have alternatives to iodine pills etc. The Steripen kills the DNA in suspect water and from what I read takes 45-90 seconds to purify 16-32 oz. using UV.

I have the Steripen and use it on backpacking trips in the wilderness. Works very well and plan on using it again here in a little over 2 weeks on a trip to the Smoky Mountains. Have never taken it to Coz though as it is unnecessary. Everybody serves bottled water and ice is all made from purified water.

If you think you will use it in wilderness locations make sure you get the pre-filter option with the special top for the 32 oz Nalgene water bottle as that makes it even easier.

Hydro-Photon SteriPEN Water Bottle Pre-Filter , 69479 | Filtration & Purification | Water Filtration | GEAR | items from Campmor.