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We hope you were able to find the information you were looking for while browsing our site. We understand that our products are somewhat unique and use industry-leading technology which can lead to a variety of questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any additional questions @SawyerProducts on Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.
Q: ViewCan I backwash a BeFree Filter the same way Sawyer Filters are backwashed?
No. Sawyer Hollow Fibers are much stronger than those used by Katadyn so backwashing a BeFree with a Sawyer backwashing plunger will more than likely damage the fibers.
Q: ViewHow do I prevent my pouch from bursting?
Sawyer filters have very strong fibers (see Fiber Strength Study) and are capable of handling up to 40 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) of pressure. When clean, Sawyer Filters only need 1 to 2 PSI of pressure to flow freely. As the fibers collect particulates, the pressure to move water through will increase as the particulates create barriers to water flow.
Sawyer pouches are designed to handle up to 7 PSI of pressure before bursting. This in most cases allows for a large amount of water to be used before filter cleaning is necessary. Therefore the pouches will not burst so long as the filters are reasonably clean. However most people are capable of generating much more than 7 PSI of pressure and so if the filter is not clean, the pouches are more likely to burst when squeezing too hard. The more particulates in the water the sooner a filter will clog and need to be cleaned.
Sawyer’s new light weight soft pouches offer the same bursting strength of 7 PSI as the heavier legacy pouches. The new light weight pouches are just as strong as the thicker legacy pouches but are easier to squeeze because the softer material offers less resistance. With a lower pouch resistance the 7 PSI burst limit is reached more easily.
To protect your pouch – maintain a clean filter and be aware of pressure build up against a dirty filter.
Q: ViewAre there any long term storage instructions for the Select filter or purifier?
You can store the bottle with either the Micro Squeeze filter or included white cap screwed on top of the bottle. The proprietary ingredients in the foam will make sure that your foam does not grow bacteria or develop an odor. Please do not compress these systems for long term storage. Store your bottles fully expanded to ensure that you do not inadvertently shorten their life.
If you want to dry out your bottle for packing weight reasons (it can save approximately one ounce), store in a dry room with the lid removed and the moisture will eventually evaporate out. Be aware that after you dry the bottle out, your first bottle will produce much less water than normal since our foam is hydrophilic (meaning it attracts water) and will want to hold onto some no matter how hard you squeeze. Repeat steps for first use when you want to use your filter again.
Q: ViewHow do I store this Select filter when not in use?
The foam inside the bottle is meant to be stored fully expanded to achieve the advertised lifespan of the system. To do this simply unscrew the Micro Squeeze filter and let air back into the bottle after you are done filtering water. The foam will naturally compress in size over the life of the system but if the foam is stored compressed for long periods of time, the foam can be permanently deformed. Long term compression can shorten the life of the foam filter/purifier. We recommend storing your Select system filled with water. When possible, use distilled or non-chlorinated water. Storing the bottle full will help prevent mold from growing on the walls of the bottle while it is not in use.
Q: ViewIs Picaridin safe for pregnant women and children?
Yes. Picaridin is a fantastic topical insect repellent for the whole family and considered to be the repellent of first choice by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Advisory Committee on Tropical Medicine and Travel for travelers six months to 12 years of age.
Learn more about Picaridin in this pdf.
Q: ViewWhat is Permethrin?
Permethrin is a synthetic version of the Chrysanthemum flower’s natural insect repellent pyrethrin. The naturally occurring version breaks down rather quickly in sunlight but Sawyer’s pharmaceutical grade, synthetic Permethrin can last 6 weeks or 6 washings on clothing and other fabrics, making it a fantastic odorless barrier of protection from mosquitoes and ticks.
Q: ViewIs Picaridin just as effective as DEET?
Picaridin is perfect balance of efficacy, safety and user-friendliness. It repels a wide variety of pests including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges. It is the longest lasting repellent with up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against a variety of flies, chiggers and gnats. It’s non-greasy, has a pleasant low odor and won’t damage plastics of synthetic coatings. All these factors combined makes Picaridin the optimal topical repellent for the entire family.
Check out the data for yourself: Picaridin Research
Q: ViewWhat is the shelf life of your insect repellent?
Our repellents don’t have an expiration date printed on them because they have a shelf life of 10 years when stored properly.
Q: ViewWhat SPF do I need? How much do I need for a trip?
If properly applied (1 1/4 ounces per full body coverage) you seldom need more than an SPF 15. See the paragraph below for when you may need more. However, most people put on only half of the recommended FDA standard. A SPF 15 applied at half rate is effectively a SPF 7, better than nothing but still not a true sunscreen. If you can discipline yourself to put on a generous amount, then after it has fully absorbed into the skin, you will benefit by having less chemicals in the skin which allows your skin to breathe easier. If you just can’t bring yourself to lather it on then jump to a SPF 30 which, when half applied, still leaves you with an effective protection of a SPF 15. If you’re sensitive to oxybensone or benzephenone then stick with the SPF 15 which generally does not include that sunscreen.
In planning a trip, use the 1 1/4 ounces per person per day figure as a guideline. If you’re building a tan, or reducing your skin exposure via clothing, then reduce your anticipated need accordingly. Keep in mind that a soaked cotton shirt yields protection equivalent to only a SPF of 4 to 8 only and therefore you may need to wear a sunscreen below the shirt if exposed to water or sweat.
Q: ViewWhat is the shelf life of your sunscreen?
Our Stay Put sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date printed on it because it is good for 5+ years when stored properly in a cool, dry location.
Q: ViewCan I wear a repellent with a sunscreen?
You can definitely use sunscreen and insect repellent together. We recommend applying the sunscreen first. The trick to a comfortable and effective application of sunscreen is to put it on at least 10 minutes before sun exposure. This will allow ample time for the sunscreen to fully absorb into the skin before your body gets warm out and about in the sun.
Once the sunscreen has dried, you can apply the insect repellent. Sprays are often most convenient but a nice comfortable topical insect repellent lotion will typically last longer and also be more resilient to swimming and other active use. Our SPF 30 is a very breathable and long lasting formula that pairs better with insect repellent than most other sunscreens on the market.
Q: ViewDo sunscreens affect athletic performance?
They can, in two ways. Residual sunscreen on the skin can affect your grip and it can reduce your ability to sweat, which is your body’s mechanism to transfer heat created by your exertion. By not losing adequate heat, your internal body temperature rises, which depletes your energy levels and causes many organs to focus on heat management functions rather than normal support functions. The newer sunscreen formulations work below the skin and allow the skin to breathe and sweat much more efficiently, thereby leaving you with more energy to perform your athletic activity.
Q: ViewIf I am allergic to bees, can I carry The Extractor® pump in as a substitute for my Epipen®?
No. If you are known to be allergic, you should always carry an Epipen® pen. Though the Extractor pump is designed to achieve rapid relief from the pain or itching that comes from a bite; it is not medication.
Q: ViewIf I get bit by a venomous snake and quickly use the Extractor Pump, I’m good…Right?
The pump has been used successfully for over 30 years as a supplement to medical treatments of snake bite and for bee sting venom, targeting initial removal in the field. The victim should ALWAYS be taken to the closest hospital or urgent care facility for further examination and medical treatment.
Q: ViewIs there a truly effective solution to treat a venomous bite in the field?
The Extractor® pump is the only medically approved device for treating snakebites. When used quickly after a bite, later treatment results may be significantly improved. Some doctors even recommend carrying and applying two pumps, one for each fang bite site.
