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On the topic of Wilderness H2O
Posted by Brian Richardson on Jan 07 2005
Now I know we are getting a bit of the subject of chillin' meat in the creek... but this all should be looked at as well.
<handle> Biologist –
Entertain realizing that I am not necessarily responding to what you said at all in terms of contradictory appoligy… so no worries and all the input is up for grabs so to speak and no need. Points of view and scientific perspectives all in all good things here... so accepted but none needed.
…Since it is very fresh (ahead of the curve) science/outdoor medicine based and the incentive of me posting - this is not misleading in the least.
Off the old school cap and go new school ask why, evidence-based practices and analysis on wilderness waters and you will find these survey acquisitions… from drinking water assessments in wilderness lakes and streams, surveys from State health departments, giardiasis from consumptions of wilderness waters including acquisition rates for Giardia lamblia in backcountry travelers… and the influence of hygiene on gastrointestinal illnesses among wilderness backpackers… in other words - you will find basis for my posting such an atypical perspective.
Now all your 1,2,3,4 points – “inaccurate, misleading, and potentially dangerous” or suggesting that it is some newspaper BS.
In fact it is very accurate with supportive innovative conclusions, and importantly most up-to date (not back when you were running around taking (in larger overall measure) a microcosm amount of study data --- I know – had to do the same stuff in the early ‘90s to. lol.
Misleading… hmmm where did I say previously – just go ahead Drink and do nothing. Nothing deceptive or confusing, save you have individually read something into the former.
Potentially dangerous… All I said that a lot of wilderness water is safer than all the old kismet saying, and that hygiene is playing a more significant role in the big picture of things we do to keep from getting sick outdoors.
Newspaper talk? – NO way – maybe you should join the Wilderness Medical Society, go to progressive scientific and medical conferences, and receive publications on backcountry-based findings. I would not shaggy dog story something like this.
I did communicate - paying attention to water source, environment, and water treatment methods are still a good idea… I practice this all the time as prevention with the preeminent equipment available. So again nothing misleading or dangerous unless- One does not believe in prevention - and I’m not in that camp.
Leads to another point -
I am pleased you noticed and recognized assessment in the Alcohol based cleaners --- BUT Your saying… “While I’m on the topic, using antibacterial soap is a particularly bad idea because it allows natural selection to favor antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Then we’re left with a bunch of resistant bacteria that survive and reproduce more frequently than nonresistant strains.” That is an obtuse statement (if somebody misinterpreted you.) While I know the trend you are pointing toward - that is like saying Hmmm? Guess the really resistant ones can’t be dealt with, we could make resistance greater by morphing the not so resistant… so bag fighting and killing off the ones we do have a handle on by the very use of antibacterial soaps or antibiotic drugs…. Gimme a break guy! Here is a good source read: Boulware DR . Influence of hygiene on gastrointestinal illness among wilderness backpackers. J Travel Med. 2004
As far as the Markers and Technology… I qualified this statement – not quantified and did not say all… of course certain Markers are detectable if and when the right practices, principles, equipment, timeline, size of the project, and expenditure are part of the equation. You of all should know these contributing factors while collecting samples and do show a grasp for that perspective in your post.
I agree - Treatments of the proper sort are effective nevertheless we also continue to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments. Many of us on this forum will agree we’ve gotten sick w/ giardia or some other condition. Some of us are exceedingly careful in preparing, educating, and making every preventative use of filters (you name it technologies)…etc. And just once or twice in a great while still get ill during our wilderness trip or just after. While on occasion some will consistently drink from wilderness water and be just fine without end…
New studies are always in effect to develop that just-what-the-doctor- ordered line on the supportive evidence wished for in supporting common practices and teachings. I will say that wilderness waterways have complex ecosystems, and that colonization of all the critters both big and microscopic is universal. The wilderness setting is also always undergoing some kind of change.
With the 7 liters consumption for infestation (I did not just throw that # out there… Welch, Thomas Risk of giardiasis from consumption, 2000)… this was to relate that by drinking a sip it is not that likely for infestation even w/in higher concentrations. Old ‘80s-90s school of thought suggested otherwise… This is why the whole stomach digestive track may expel all before you getting sick and never giving one the feelings or symptoms of infestation that possibly will have to be treated. It is perchance all random probability vs. drink it and certain likelihood. The volume level from a singe known source having the markers example more corresponds to significance of opportunity.
Clearing things up – I still go about the boiling, filtering, virustat, whatever EPA protocols need be met in a preventative cautionary behavior. I believe this to be safer than not.
My first post was more to say – Hey! Lets all take a look at some interesting and up-to-the-minute findings that are making a strong case toward showing that many of our wilderness waterways are better quality in terms of human consumption than people have been told for the last 20 years. The other point is that we often go into the field and discontinue or downplay the importance of good hygiene.
That’s all folks –
Brian Richardson
http://www.northernrim.com
Previous: Water problems as I see them Michael Strahan Jan 07 2005
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