One weapon I've employed, the
AdventurerOpti device from
SteriPEN is marketed to kill viruses, bacteria and protozoa such as giardia and
cryptosporidium with ultra-violet light. The handheld product is a
miniaturized version of UV-light technologies used in municipal
water-purification plants around the world.
Traveling in Nepal last month, the
AdventurerOpti was constantly at my side. The product is small, easy to
use and quick: Press the button, dip the lamp into your drink, and wait
90 seconds to purify a liter of liquid.
The AdventurerOpti is a new version of the
SteriPEN product, which has been on the market for a few years. It is
slightly smaller and lighter than other SteriPEN models.
My stomach issues while traveling may have
been from sources foodborne, waterborne or even airborne - it's
impossible to know. I used the SteriPEN 90 percent of the time when
drinking water procured outdoors from lakes and streams as well as in
restaurants where tap water was served.
The $99 product worked as promised as far
as I know. But it is one of those items that you simply have to trust
does what it says it will do. Water looks or tastes no different after
UV purification.
For really dirty water, the SteriPEN will
not work. Water has to be mostly clear for the product's UV light to do
its trick. Murky water from lakes or rivers has to be filtered before
the SteriPEN can be used.
On my travels, I will continue to tote a
SteriPEN along. I will use it in the outdoors for backpacking and
climbing trips as well as when traveling internationally. In the end,
the AdventurerOpti is an insurance policy, an extra step in the fight
against the little bugs that can make the stomach sick.
-Stephen Regenold (
www.gearjunkie.com)
Check out more reviews
here>>>
