UOAA Discussion Board

Hi y'all!
I'm not a frequent poster, but I am an irrigator because of you guys!, I was timid but so glad I gave it a try! My family loves to travel, and so far I have had no qualms about irrigating while traveling-- mainly US hotels and cruise ships. We will be adventuring to playa del Carmen in Mexico (to an all inclusive ) in the summer, and I never even thought about the whole "if it's safe to drink, it's safe to irrigate with" situation....eek. I know the water is well filtered now in these types of places, so technically safe, right? Has anyone been in this situation, and how have you handled it?? Do you know any ostomy or irrigation related Spanish phrases LOL??? Any and all tips much appreciated!!!

I have thought about this also since I started irrigating. Next time I do a trip like that, I will likely get a product like this (http://www.steripen.com/Aqua). Fill my water bag up, use that to filter some of it, then gator. If not that, an overall water bottle like this (http://www.thegrayl.com/), then fill bag with that filtered water.

Hi MommyMoose,

I've been to several places in Mexico including Playa del Carmen. My rule is: always use bottled water, no matter how much you hear about filtered water etc. Preferably a brand name water bottle and check the cap to make sure it hasn't been opened and re-filled! A large 2 litre jug should be more than enough water per irrigation and a good investment. Filtered water and water sources in higher-end hotels are probably safe but I wouldn't take the chance. Just not worth it.

Stay safe and have fun! I'm jealous! I looooove that part of Mexico, the beaches are awesome.

How did you heat it if you use bottled water?? I was reading about the UV sanitizer lights, which I figured would be easier to run warm water, stir with the light in a pitcher I'd bring, and then pour in my bag.....I can't go a week with gating!!!!

I guess you could fill the sink with warm water, and put the bottles in there to soak and absorb the temperature.

If its not warm water, my stoma will pucker up and be useless. I prefer the UV method also (first link I posted above), could use that right in the IV bag itself to sterilize the water the best I can.

I agree, I can't handle cold water either!! Hmmm....with all the Mexican food, maybe I won't even NEED to irrigate LOL! OK, not taking THAT chance!! But I am thinking the sanitizer pen might be the way to go.....I can even use on our drinking water if we need!!!

You could let the bottle sit in the sun if you have a spot that's suitable, or, as Darick suggests put it in a basin of hot water to warm it up. Another idea would be to keep the bottle by your side for a while as you read or sunbathe or whathaveyou so your body temp warms it.

I saw one of those survival shows, and the host (Bear Grilis, I think) said you could do an enema with non-potable water. He said it's a way to stay hydrated.

I have no plans to try this out, but it makes me think that maybe it's the stomach that needs protecting, not the colon.
And of course, it could be just plain wrong. It WAS on TV.

I've often wondered about this too. Here is my plan, should I ever venture to Mexico...

I would bring these for treating my irrigation water: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... 0000442237

And for heating water, I would bring this: http://www.wayfair.com/Coleman-Camp-Han ... id=CLM2126

I actually have a camp shower, and left out in the sun for a little while, the water really gets pretty warm. Used one in Colorado while elk hunting. Outside temperature never got above 70 degrees, left the bag on the hood of the truck for about 30-40 minutes, and had a nice warm shower out in the mountains!

Hope you have a fun trip!

David

hi!! i forgot to check back in with what worked!! So, i used a sawyer squeeze filter at first, until learned that the hotel gave free bottled water as much as i wanted. I used the coffee pot to heat up one, which made it really hot, then added another cold one to get it just right. I took a hanger to hang my bag up on the shower, and had a "just in case" 3M removable hook, which i didn't need this time. I was very careful with what i ate, and did suffer a little more than the rest of my family. I found with all my swimming, i had a little more irritation under my wafer as a result of so much wetness and high salinity. otherwise, i survived, but i still wouldn't have used tap water to irrigate with. i also got my sawyer at Dick's and will keep for camping and other vacations for the same reason!!

This thread is old but anyway... I also always use bottled water (and check the lid carefully, especially in poor countries where a bottle of water costs a lot). And I only use still water, once a had to take bubbled water and it didn't work at all! nothing came out! don't know why.
For heating the water I bring an immersion heater which is small and effective (http://www.elektricitet.nu/doppvarmare-300w-p-550.html) and of course you may also need to bring an electricity adapter.

Put your bottled water on aluminum foil and put it in the sun. The foil will reflect enough sunlight to heat the water. Unless there is a Hurricane the sun always shines in Mexico.