I had a problem with my hot water recently, which meant going for a couple of days without showers. I am thinking of getting some kind of low-tech camp shower in case this happens again, and was wondering if there was anything I should know about them.

My recent situation was a fairly specific failure; I had electrical power, gas and water, and could heat water in a kettle. I'd obviously prefer something that would be useful in a more general crisis, so I don't really want something with an electric pump. I've seen camping showers advertised that are basically black bags with a spout, and quite cheap. Whether I'll get a crisis in which water is plentiful enough to shower with, but no electricity, I don't know.

Another possible problem is how to rig it. The camping ones look like they are supposed to be hung from a tree, outside. I don't fancy showering outside during winter. They hold about 20 litres of water, which weighs about 20kg, which is pretty heavy, and I'm not sure how I'd support that at height in my bathroom.

Does anyone have any experience, advice or recommendations?

The Coleman Hot water system might be useful around the house in an emergency and it is not only useful for just showering use.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=2200

I've used the solar camping showers and have found them quite nice when car camping in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming -- however they are useless on a cloudy day. If the sun is out, the 20L actually gets pretty hot (in the summer) and is good for about 2 showers if you conserve water. In the winter or in an area where clouds prevail, I don't know if they would be worth the effort. The versions I used were clear on one side and black plastic on the other.

I used the solar showers extensively in Afghanistan in the winter, it does tend to be sunny there in the winter. It worked well. If I was in a hurry, or it was cloudy, I heated water to put in it. I had to be careful to not make it too hot.

Maybe a simple bellows foot pump would work?

Jeff

Guys, guys!

Tools! Remember all those tool porn catalogs you've got?

Go to the page that shows hand pump sprayers, like for spraying insecticides on plants. Use a new one, fill with warm water, set in the shower, and wet down, soap all over, then rinse.

DO NOT USE ONE THAT HAS HAD INSECTICIDE OR OTHER TOXIC MATERIALS IN IT!

Sue

I have This it works.

Lee

I have this:
Hand pump camping shower

No power or battery required. Works fine.

I just use a large bucket and a sponge.

Unless I'm planning to be in the woods for more than a three day weekend, I generally prefer these to a local stream or lake. While not as relaxing as a hot shower at home, it beats jumping into an ice cold stream and then having to walk back through the sand/mud/whatever to towel off.

During the colder months I simply place the package next to the campfire for a few minutes to warm them up -- reminds me somewhat of the hot towels the flight attendants provide before a meal in First Class.

Jim