
Product set-up
LifeStraw® Family uses ultrafiltration
hollow fiber technology
This is a highly eicient
method of purification that
requires no chemicals.
Water is forced through
narrow fibers under low
pressure. Clean water exits
through tiny pores in the
walls of the hollow fibers,
but bacteria, viruses,
protozoa, and other
contaminants are trapped
inside the hollow fibers
and are flushed out by
backwashing.
NOTE: Water from the red dirty water
valve should never be consumed.
3

Daily cleaning
Note: Water expelled during backwashing is contaminated and
should not come into contact with drinking vessels or cutlery.
Step 1: Ensure there is water in the
dirty water bag. Close BOTH the blue
clean water valve the red dirty water
valve (horizontal).
Step 2: Squeeze the red bulb and
release until it fills up with water –
repeat three (3) times.
Step 3: Open the red dirty water valve
(vertical) and dispose the dirty water
away from where it could come into
contact with drinking vessels, cutlery,
or other human contact.
Step 4: Clean dirt o of prefilter using
a so cloth – do not use soap.
5

4
Daily use
Step 1: Fill dirty water reservoir with cleanest water available
– fold top to close seal and clip around a sturdy tree branch.
Step 2: Connect the hose to the dirty water bag and allow
a few minutes for clean water to start flowing from the blue
clean water outlet. Ensure that the red dirty water valve is in
closed position (horizontal) and the blue clean water valve
is in open position (vertical).
blue valve
open
red valve
closed
Helpful Hint: If water is not flowing or the flow rate
is slow then close the blue clean water valve, open
the red dirty water valve for three (3) seconds and
squeeze the red backwash bulb once.

Warning: biological hazard
There are hazards associated with backcountry travel
and the use of water purifiers. Drinking untreated
water may expose you to harmful microorganisms
and increase your risk of gastrointestinal illness. Using
this purifier improperly increases your risk of exposure
to harmful microorganisms and increases your risk
of gastrointestinal illness. Reduce your chances
of becoming sick by following the warnings and
instructions in this manual and educating yourself on
backcountry water safety.
Never use LifeStraw® Mission to purify seawater or
chemically contaminated water, such as from mining
tailing ponds or near agricultural operations. LifeStraw®
Mission does not purify water containing chemicals,
radioactive materials, or particles smaller than 0.02
microns.
Read, understand, and follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual before using this purifier.
Failure to follow warnings and instructions may result
in gastrointestinal illness.
7

6
Preparation for long term storage
Maintaining proper functioning and preventing
the growth of bacteria in the LifeStraw® Mission
during storage is easy to do with a simple
disinfection procedure.
1. Rinse the dirty water bag with clean water.
2. Fill the dirty water bag with a solution of two
(2) drops of household bleach to one (1) liter of
warm water.
3. Close the blue clean water valve and open
the red dirty water valve – let the water flow
through the red dirty water valve into the sink
until the unit is empty.
4. Air dry the dirty water bag and place entire
unit in storage.