Personal Water Filter Straw for Fast Access to Potable Water from Any Freshwater Sources 50% More Filtration Capacity than LifeStraw Compact Pocket-size and Lightweight with No Chemical or Battery Use

I am an American Red Cross Volunteer with the Disaster Team, I get sent to Tornados, Hurricanes, Flooding, and fires all over the country. This is my personal assurance of clean and safe water anywhere I get deployed....

Thank your for contacting us. You are absolutely right. For proper care, cleaning and rinsing your Gemstar Survival Personal H2O Filter, it is always advisable to only use clean water, especially when using for the 1st time. Never submerge filter into any form of contaminated water. If you experience a slow flow rate at first, this could be due to air pockets built up in the filter, so it’s good to blow through the product first before using.The reason we submerge the filters before use is because they serve like sponges and absorb more water (hence clean more water) when wet and expanded. A second reason is that soaking removes particulate matter that may have settled on the filter that could have come from materials in shipping containers or even just from the air, such as dust.I bought the Gem Star Filter Straw because it filters to 0.02 microns and has a shelf life of 5 years, both substantial improvements over the Life Straw. I also contacted the company with questions after reading of another person's difficulties getting a Life Straw to draw water. You cannot suck water thru a dry filter. It has to already be wet as it turns out. That left me wondering if I could get it wet ahead of time, since I was saving it for emergency use. I also read a Gem Star response to someone else's question and it was clear they know water, the environment, and what they are doing. So the following was their response to me:If you plan to save it for long-term prepping, it’s important to make sure and let filter air dry for 48 hours after use (preferably kept uncapped to dry thoroughly) before storage in its original packaging, in room temperature in a clean and dry place, away from direct sun or any extreme heat sources. This is good precaution to avoid any mildew developing due to wetness. This, then, answers your 2nd question of soaking ahead of time, which should only be done before actual use as it must be completely dried out before placing in your emergency pack.There you have it: simple checks and balances that help maintain, and may even extend, your filter’s shelf life. Hope this is clear and helpful. Let us know if you have other questions or concerns.

Straight into the Bug Out bag for use in an emergency.

I'll update my review and let you know how it works once the zombie apocalypse starts.

Toss it in the backpack and water worries are in the past!

In this photo it shows a sling to support your water filter straw. It did not come with my unit.

This looks great. 5 year shelf life. Terrific.