i got a few quartions regarding to potassium permangate ( KMnO4, cindy's cristals or whatever ).<br>were do you buy a small quatity of that stuff ( don't wanna buy one of those HUGE packs from some gardening/fish shops ) ( for a psk ) ? and if you repack it, what type of container should you use ( its very oxdizing ) ? <br>and the most importent quation is:<br>Is worth buying it / putting it in a psk ? i mean it usefull as <br>-antiseptic <br>-waterpurifciation<br>-snowmarker<br>-artifisial flint ( mixed with sugar )<br>-chemical fire ( mixed with glycerin )<br><br>but it is also <br>-lethal in large quatity ( swallowed )<br>-can cause burns on the skin wenn it is repeatedly used as an antiseptic ( or exidental spill on the skin of an large quantity )<br>-can cause instand blindness wenn in contact with your eye's<br>-hard to dose. i mean, how do you get 2-3 crystals ( dose for waterpurfication ) out of a vial ? with out poring some in your hand first ( causes irtation, possible burns, etc. ) even using tweezers to get only 2-3 crystals is like impossible.<br>-very hard to optain<br><br>so is it worth the risk ?<br>

I got mine from penrith survival equipment. They sell the items individually on request. My pp is store in a small plastic test tube with a plastic lid on it. I have actually been able to use it although it is dificult. I have laso had it come into contact with my skin for a short period of time and never burnt my self.<br>Hope this helps

NO! <br><br>There is no current medical indication for the use of potassium permangenate in modern medicine. IMO there are no uses for the chemical for which something more suitable cannot be substituted with less risk of injury.<br><br>Just an opinion.

Very strange that you said no. When I got a skin infection from a local swimming pool my doctor asked me to take baths in the solution of potassium permangate and water. It killed all the skin problems. I had some discoloration of the skin (aka it became yellow) but it passed after few days of regular showers. I remember using it also as a mild disinfectant and water purifier but only in super extreme cases. Plus this chemical got regular use in aquariums for fungus treatment.<br><br>Matt

PCK2,<br><br>There is a fairly large volume of potassium permanganate discussion in old threads on this site. <br><br>I tend to be in agreement with BeachDoc on the medical use, of KMnO4, and do not believe it is a very good choice for water purification. These reasons along with the fact that it is a very strong oxidizer that may cause damage to eyes and other tissues if improperly handled make it an item that must be fully understood and evaluated before you carry it in your PSK.<br><br>I do carry it in my primary PSK, but have a fair understanding of its limitations and risks. You can read my reasons in my old post on KMnO4 <br><br>I am now thinking that if I did not have any KMnO4 in my kit I would not try too hard to acquire it. The fire making reaction is fun, and impressive but it is really my absolute last choice for firemaking. I figure if I had my PSK there is no way that the only item left to support firemaking would be KMnO4.<br><br>I currently store my KMnO4 in a small polyethylene screw top vial that is water proof. I can dose small amounts of it using a sailmakers needle to dip into the vial. The sailmakers needle is triangular and the flat side works as a spatula. You should be able to whittle a small flat dry stick to use also.

I would have to agree with beachdoc as well. The risk is there if you are not careful. And I am careful what I injest.<br><br>Its too easy to buy water purification tablets.<br><br>Ted Fisher EMT I/D

Actually we do use KMnO4 for quite a few skin conditions and infections from weepy eczema to fungal infections in the feet / groin etc. It is a useful drug but needs to be used in the right concentration (i.e. what your medical service provider directs you to do).<br><br>

thanks for the replies<br>i think im gonna take Schwert's advise "if I did not have any KMnO4 in my kit I would not try too hard to acquire it" .....

Not a compound in current use in the USA. It is capable of causing impressive burns when crystals are in contact with skin that is not dry. I reamember seeing that in the 70's in the Army when it was used for a foot soak.<br>Don't see that there is an advantage in using it when there are other suitable and safer alternatives.