h. Rinse Threads. Loosen the canteen cap slightly and turn the canteen
upside-down. This allows the treated water to seep around the neck of the canteen and
rinse the threads. Removing contamination from this area is important since the
threads and neck of the canteen will come into contact with your mouth when you drink
from the canteen.
i.
Tighten Cap. Return the canteen to a neck-up position and tighten the cap.
j. Wait 30 Minutes. Wait 30 minutes more before using the water. This allows
sufficient time for the iodine to disinfect the water.
2-12. DISINFECTING WATER IN A CANTEEN USING CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Although use of iodine tablets is the preferred method of disinfecting water in a
canteen, a calcium hypochlorite ampule from the chlorination kit can be used when
needed. Instructions for this procedure are given below.
a. Fill Canteen. Fill the canteen with the cleanest, clearest water available.
Leave an air space of about one inch below the neck of the canteen.
b. Prepare Solution. Fill a canteen cup half full of water and add the calcium
hypochlorite from one ampule. Stir with a clean mess kit spoon until the powder is
dissolved.
c. Measure Solution.
(1) If the water in the canteen is clear, fill the cap to the canteen half full with
the solution prepared in paragraph b above.
(2) If the water in the canteen is cloudy or very cold, fill the canteen cap to
the top with the solution prepared in paragraph b above.
d. Add Solution. Pour the measured solution in the cap into the canteen and
put the cap back on the canteen.
e. Shake. Shake the canteen to thoroughly mix the solution and the water.
f. Rinse Threads. Loosen the cap slightly and invert the canteen, letting the
treated water rinse the threads around the neck of the canteen.
g. Tighten Cap. Turn the canteen upright and tighten the cap.
h. Wait 30 Minutes. Wait at least 30 minutes before using the water for any
purpose. This allows sufficient time for the disinfection to take place.
MD0535
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