In a primitive situation, there is no advantage to using the time and resources to make up a saline solution for wound irrigation. Just use water and plenty of it. "Dilution is the cure for pollution!"<br><br><br>Jeffery S. Anderson, M.D.<br><br>

I wouldn't think that it would be much different in taste than water treated using iodine crystals........or most types of water purification tabs. <br><br>I have and use both. In my mini tin kit, I use tabs in the small glass vials with teflon lined caps as suggested by Doug.....and have for a couple of years. I just have a very small, flat Omniseal waterproof wallet that contains some items, and I had thought about using the pad for its possible dual roles, since it is nearly impossible to pack tablets in any manner that would be flat (for a wallet or otherwise) that wouldn't result in their crumbling or going bad.<br><br>

I agree that the saline is not a necessity, but are you saying that any water is okay, if you have the option to treat it? If you don't have any option, certainly, you use what you have, but the man's question was about the advisability and sufficiency of treating, provided he had the means, and whether Potable Aqua would suffice, with an eye to stocking a kit accordingly. Is your advice that treating suspect water is a waste of time and resources? Considering your background, I respect your opinion on the matter.<br><br>

Im not a flight surgeon, but I had to do quick and dirty first aid in the C.G. enough times to understand the rational. In the field, Time is the enemy with injuries. I flushed a recruits eyes with sea water to remove brasso, and a can of coke to flush a puncture wound on a pleasure boat. the goal is to STOP further tissue damage,be it poison, caustic or mechanical agent. A proper facility can handle the minor complications of our expediant measures along with the initial trauma.But only if the patient is aliveand the limb, eye etc. still viable . <br><br>