![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f35515b8a226e7/66fee3ea934c98415ea6da15_Man-drinking-from-Sawyer-Micro-water-filter-on-top-of-mountain.webp)
We believe in protecting humans from microscopic things that can do great harm.
We believe forests are an invitation, so RSVP.
We believe life as we know it is happier around a campfire.
We believe everyone deserves to be safe.
We believe nature wants to be explored.
We believe helping is not optional.
We believe non-profits deserve some of ours.
We believe babies hate getting bitten by insects as much as adults.
We believe bugs is a noun and a verb, neither one fun in the woods.
We believe the cross thing you make on a mosquito bite with your fingernail is avoidable.
We believe any source of fresh water can become 99.99999% clean.
We believe love and smiles are universal.
We believe hugs feel the same in both developed and undeveloped countries.
And we believe that thanks are in order for anyone who buys our products. You help us aid refugees, disaster zones, and life-saving efforts around the world, perhaps without even knowing it.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f35515b8a226e7/66fee57601278e7b7cfed297_Sawyer-squeeze-water-filtration-pouch-filling-water-in-lake.webp)
Our Roots
From day one, we’ve created our own higher standards for research and testing to develop products that offer the highest level of protection. There’s a lot at stake. We don’t forget that.
An Idea Was Formed
An idea for a new type of company was born, one where he can call his own shots, and make community-driven marketable products. Company President Kurt was in partnership with NFL Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers on selling view Finders but ultimately saw more potential with the Sawyer Extractor Pump Kit.
![Vintage Sawyer Extractor Ad with Gale Sayers](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61a6437731e6de95d481b5d6_Sawyer%20-%20Gale%20Sayers.webp)
Established the Sawyer Extractor in the US
The Extractor Pump Kit was shown to Roger Fortier and the wheels where set in motion. SV marketing (Sports View Marketing) was shut down and Gayle Sayers got on board with the Extractor Pump Kit.
![Vintage Extractor Ad 1984](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3551110a22d24_Vintage%20Extractor%20Ad%201984.webp)
First Aid Kits Added
While attending a conference in 1984 at the University of Arizona, John Sullivan and Doc Forgey were leading the way in First Aid Kit discussions when wilderness medicine was determining what various protocols would be for specific real world scenarios. Sawyer was able to help build higher standard First Aid Kits that used the same boxes as the Extractor Pump Kit.
![Remote Emergency First Aid Kit](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3551b52a22be6_rk6l%20(1).webp)
Sunscreen and Repellents Added (MAXI-DEET and DEET+ formulas)
Sawyer won the sunscreen bid for the US Military during Desert Storm.
![Vintage packaged Sawyer products laid out on table](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f35574e5a22d23_Vintage%20Sawyer%20Ad%20with%20Extractor%20First%20Aid%20Kit%20and%20Itch%20Balm%20(1)-1.webp)
Permethrin Added
The founders of Coulston who originally developed Permethrin Fabric Treatment for military uniforms perfected an odorless after drying consumer grade formula. Sawyer went on to acquire Coulston. Permethrin insect repellent becomes widely available in consumer markets.
![Bottle of insect repellent for clothing](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355d631a22c5d_SP648f.gif)
Controlled Release Added
The still popular Controlled Release Time Release Lotion comes on the market and briefly wears the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
![Sawyer controlled release deet formula bottle](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355202ca22c19_controlled_release4.webp)
Horn of Africa Study
Tulane University proved that using permethrin treated bed sheets reduced malaria by 70-80%. A study on permethrin treated shawls in Horn of Africa was also conducted.
![Samburu family stands together in Kenya Africa](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/618406a4b2533488f4ef852b_Samburu-family%2C-Ngilai%2C-Kenya-(Source--S.-Sosler)-Horn-of-Africa-Study.webp)
Sawyer Begins Exploring Water Filtration Category
After being introduced to some water filtration technology through Passport Health, we begin to work with Innova which was not only the closest company to us but also had the most advanced fibers on the market at this time
![White and green Sawyer water bottle and box](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355e45fa22c08_SP3301B.webp)
Introduction of 0.1 Micron Filter and 0.02 Micron Purifier
Sawyer's proprietary Hollow Fiber Membrane filters and purifiers enter the market.
![Packaged biological micro filter](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355841ea22d7f_PXL_20210727_180823917.MP.webp)
Picaridin Spray Added
The active ingredient Picaridin is added to our topical lineup. Temporarily sold under the "Fisherman's Formula" name due to it's gear safe nature. However the formula was very well received by an even wider audience so we later dropped the "Fisherman's Formula" name.
![Green insect repellent bottle](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f35568baa22d4c_SP544-bottle_old%20(1).webp)
Low Cost Gravity System Created
![Sawyer Point ONE bucket filtration](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/618407bc4c678f8edea7f62d_SP180f.gif)
Pilot programs of sustainable impact projects (beta Sawyer INTL)
July - Water With Blessings formed and installed the first Sawyer Filters.
![Woman surround by group of children](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/6184085108d8fb9043e965f3_Sister-Larainne-Lauter-Feature-Haiti.webp)
The Fiji Project Begins
Sawyer Partners with GCW with bucket filters
![Family of three from the give clean water project](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355f846a22d25_Give%20Clean%20Water%20First%20Family%201.webp)
GIS Tracking is Introduced in Ongoing Fiji Projects
Give Clean Water starts tracking household data outcomes with filters - GCW started using basic GIS now, and upgraded to full-blown GIS in 2012.
Ultra 30 Formula Added
![Ultra 30 insect repellent in box](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3556406a22c4c_SP533-hr.gif)
First big International Filter Implementation in response to earthquake in Haiti (120,000+ filters)
Once other NGOs saw what the filters were doing in Haiti, they were impressed and now interested
Introduction of Squeeze Filter
![Man drinking directly from squeeze filter](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3550ffaa22d3b_SP132-action-hr.webp)
Squeeze Filter won Editor's Choice from Backpacker Magazine
![Squeeze water filter with editors' choice backpacker stamp](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3557805a22d26_SP131_amy_BEC12.webp)
Introduction of Sawyer MINI
![Packaged Sp128 filter in box](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f35561cda22d6e_SP128%20Side_web.webp)
Picaridin Lotion Added (March)
We knew that Picaridin was a good active but all the 5-15% formulas up until now were not effective.
![Sp564 filter in packaged box](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61840a7254a6c747d1189a50_SP564%20packaged%20side.webp)
Begins Partnership with The Last Well to bring border to border clean water to all of Liberia
Begins a partnership with The Last Well to bring border to border clean water to all of Liberia. The Liberia project had already started but they were struggling with "the last mile" installations. That is when they realized that the tracking dynamic was vital to the success of these rural installations and prove that these filters were not going to get people sick.
![Village kids lined up holding buckets](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355fc4aa22d27_The%20Last%20Well%20Bong%20County.webp)
Introduction of Select Series of Foam Filters and Purifiers (as well as Micro Squeeze)
![Woman squeezing Sawyer filter by water](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355a9c9a22db2__MG_9828(1)-SP4120.webp)
Puerto Rico Hit by Two Hurricanes, 200,000+ filters
![Man holding comparison dirty and clean water from two gallon filter bag](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355420da237fe_American%20Red%20Cross%20Sawyer%20Two%20Gallon%20Bladder%20Sawyer%20Fitler%20Puerto%20Rico.jpg)
Began Marshall Islands Project
Clean water project for all of the outer Marshall Islands in every household on the way to border-to-border clean water by 2022.
![Woman inserting water from syringe into Sawyer filter](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3553d5da22da1_Marshall-Islands-2.webp)
Tap Filter Launched
We were excited to offer this to the domestic audience but we are even more excited to see the impact these systems can make internationally.
![Sawyer filter connected to outside faucet filtering water into bucket](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f3550496a22d90_DSC02881_Uphill-Adventures_SP134.webp)
Liberia Completed - Border to Border clean water (137,000 filters)
![Last Liberia family with filter](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/61549f9352f355d2eba22dc3_Last%20Liberia%20Family%20w%20Filter.webp)
Kibera Slums Program Launches
The next major project starts, bringing clean water to one of the world's largest slums with the Tap Filter.
![A Kibera Resident Holding a Cup of Filtered Water Next to a Cup of Unfiltered Water](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/656f460b83c4625f7d3c9671_bucket-cup-44-Kibera.jpg)
Marshall Islands Completed
Meet the incredible women behind KIO - the all-volunteer group that led the collaborative charge between community and government to help bring a sustainable clean water access to the Marshall Islands.
![Charity KIO Celebrating Border to Border Clean Water Access in the Marshall Islands](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61549f9352f3558157a226ea/656f469b0d39c247c7890f77_Marshall-Islands-KIO.jpg)