Water Bladder Refill -The Easy Way, by Jessie Blaine

We are seeing the effects of water shortages all across the Southwest and during a grid-down scenario, an all-encompassing water management plan is going to be important.  We need to consider sourcing, filtering, transporting, storing, and conserving water as various aspects of the water plan.  Each of these needs to be addressed so that the Partisan can focus on other aspects of his duties.  Simply said, developing a water plan now will make sure you are effective tomorrow.

My comprehensive water management plan is still in the works (and it will be shared once it’s complete), but the main goal is to be effective and efficient through simplicity while keeping costs as low as possible.  Duplication, redundancy, and flexibility are the cornerstones.  Also, the plan needs to be simple enough that both the trained and untrained can be successful.

My plan is being developed with the consideration that it will be implemented by a variety of people from all walks of life at all stages of life…with or without my support.  I consider water a critical aspect of my personal continuity plan and it needs to be as robust as possible.

Recently, I came across the Universal Tube Adapter (UTA) and it has the potential to be a game changer.

The Universal Tube Adapter (UTA) is a simple device that lets you fill your hydration bladder through the drinking tube; you can pop-off your bite valve, attach the UTA and flow water backwards

With this capability, that means a hydration bladder can be refilled without being removed from a pack and without having to worry about water spilling all over everything.

Simply attached one side of the UTA to a water source like a 1 liter water bottle, a water hose or even a standard household water spigot.  Then the other side of the UTA pops onto the end of your drinking tube.  That’s it!

This adapter helps to create rapid refill rates and boasts a 2L refill rate of around 60 seconds.

Here are some benefits to using a UTA…

• Simple to use process
• Flexibility on connections
• Quick refill rates
• The UTA expands and pops free when the bladder is full
• Minimizes sand/dirt falling into the bladder while refilling
• Reduces the chance that something falls out of your pack

Overall, I really like this adapter because it is simple, effective, and light weight.  I can’t vouch for its longevity or durability, but it seems like any other gear…if you take care of it, it will take care of you.

The average price is about $20, which seems steep for such a small piece of polypropylene, but the convenience factor makes this a bargain.

Source Tactical Gear

Amazon

Jessie

Jessie Blaine is a former Marine living in refuge somewhere in the Lone Star state.  He is in a perpetual state of learning, which is the second-best state to be in, with the Lone Star state being the first.