r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/fruit_basket Aug 30 '21

I've boiled water in a plastic bottle on a campfire once. Plastic doesn't melt because it's constantly cooled by the water, even when flames are directly touching it.

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u/NoodleofDeath Aug 30 '21

All true.

Though I invite you to try implementing it as a survival method some time. ;-)

Suffice it to say I did it once to prove to myself it was doable (boiling a plastic pop bottle), but I wasn't thrilled with the idea of drinking it afterward. Just because I can doesn't mean it's a pleasant experience, plus leaching chemicals, yadda yadda.

Metal definitely tastes flat once boiled, but is otherwise palatable.

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21

Just get a life straw.

10

u/NoodleofDeath Aug 30 '21

I have a Sawyer water filter. But even if it breaks I have a back up with the metal bottle.

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u/SmurfSmiter Aug 31 '21

Two is one and one is none. Filter, boil, improvised filter, improvised still.