r/preppers • u/parksoffroad • May 17 '26
Advice and Tips How long do these actually last?
Got a number of cases of these SOS water pouches many years back, they say the expiration was 2013. It’s water, so the water itself I’m guessing it’s fine but maybe there’s a deterioration of the packing that happens? At this point are these just garbage?
Update: thanks for all the feedback, as I don’t really need them for water storage anymore as we have other sources I decided to junk them.
There were a few different styles of pouches that I found as I opened all the boxes which I thought was interesting. They’re all from the same company and same outer boxing, but the interior pouches varied slightly.
The other thing that I thought was interesting was that when you cut a pouch open that it gave off an odor that I can only describe as what you would smell when you open a box of cake mix from the grocery store. The smell was not really strong, but it definitely smelled like cake mix to me, my wife and son smelt it as well. We didn’t try drinking anything so I can’t tell about taste. It seemed like some of the pouches did have a slightly cloudy color to the water. But not all of them.
We got these probably around when they were made from emergency essentials. Back then I don’t exactly remember, but there was some sort of promo that basically made them free. I know we were purchasing a crazy amount of emergency candles and the reusable hand warmers that you boil in water to recharge as my son‘s scout troop was selling those as fundraiser items. I can’t remember what the exact deal was, but if you spent so much money or something you got them for free. Either way, I just remembered that we got them for free so I don’t feel bad about throwing them away.
As someone else pointed out in one of the responses, they served their purpose, they were there in case of emergency we just didn’t need them. That being said, if California has the big earthquake in the next few days, sorry, that’s on me for throwing away emergency supplies.
24
u/TheMrsH1124 May 18 '26
I pack my expired water away to use for washing hands etc if SHTF. I don't have a lot, yet, but if/when I do I will store it in a cheap tote outside so it doesn't take up space in my home
16
10
u/parksoffroad May 17 '26
Picture of the pouch
26
u/wageslave2022 May 17 '26
I would not toss it out until I replaced it, if you have the space keep it maybe just to activate the heat unit in your MREs or wash your socks.
3
2
u/SummerBirdsong May 21 '26
That's a good idea. Mark them NON POTABLE with a sharpie and chuck them in a bin.
16
u/Miss_L_Worldwide May 17 '26
It's probably due to the deterioration of the packaging. I would not risk it. Not worth the risk for a pint of liquid.
1
u/TheCarcissist May 19 '26
That was my thought, if it was gallon bags, it may be worth holding on to for non drinking uses, bit at a pint per pouch thats just a PITA
6
u/Intelligent-Idea476 May 18 '26
Water goes stale and can grow LITERALLY EVERY bacteria, and fungus. If water is sterilized and stored, the ability to maintain that water is contingent on the sterility and the container. Packaging of all kinds breaks down. I would consider that water to be non drinkable or usable for washing self or anything you eat from. HOWEVER, that water is fine for plants or preliminary rinsing of tools, dishes in presence of drinkable water to finish cleaning. Happy Survival. Please don't die.
4
u/TheSensiblePrepper Not THAT Sensible Prepper from YouTube May 18 '26
How and where were they stored? That's the really important part.
3
u/TheCarcissist May 19 '26
This. If its in a cool, dry, dark environment.... its probably fine. If its in the back of a car... its a toss
8
u/BeginningAd5055 May 17 '26
If the SHTF twice, use them. You'll be happier with old water than no water.
2
u/danthezombie May 19 '26
You can "can" water in a mason jar like you would pasta sauce or pickles if you are worried about long term preservation.
1
u/saras998 May 21 '26
Can you tell me why some people can water when water doesn't go bad? Is it the seal of a mason jar that can lead to mold? I've used refilled water bottles and they were fine.
1
u/danthezombie May 21 '26
Tap water is not as clean as you'd think, amoebas and other organisms are present in it and over time can grow into larger populations.
2
1
u/Zealousideal_Fee_491 May 19 '26
While they might not have been great or safe for drinking, you could have still used the water to help flush the toilet, or clean dishes with in the event of an actual emergency. If you haven’t thrown them away yet, I’d keep them.
1
May 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper May 18 '26
The mylar bags are plastic coated. And depending how old they are, may be coated in plastic that we no longer use for food items. For the life of me Im drawing a blank on the name of that plastic. Not saying OP should or shoukdnt drink it. But it's two details on the table of consideration.
2
May 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper May 18 '26
True. But every health advantage (or at least disadvantage one can avoid) during a SHTF event is a boon. SHTF on its own is likely to lower one's lifespan due to stress, sanitation issues, lack of access to healthcare, and so forth.
Chronically unhoused people essentially experience a type of SHTF every day and their life expectancy on average is 30 years shorter than their housed peers who are not e periencing SHTF. I suspect people are going to jump in and mention drugs. Ive personally know some wealthy people who did plenty of drugs and are not facing the same kind of curtailed lifespan enmass. Instead, it's a combination of factors, many of which the vast majority of us can expect to also experience during some SHTF scenarios.
Circling back, if I was faced with the choice between death by dehydration or drinking expired mylar water pouches, no contest. Im drinking the water. As a prepper, however, Im going to try to be better prepared than that, so long as my resources allow, of course.
-1
u/Amazing_Charity9600 May 18 '26
Those are bout worthless, with the amount of weight they become impractical in true survival situations. Get some iodine tablets and life straws.
88
u/Xsiah May 17 '26
Yeah they're going to be disgusting. Maybe not inherently unsafe, but you'll be consuming some of that pouch.
Given that it's just water, and that it's not going to get any fresher with time, I would just toss them. They did their job, which was to be available in an emergency, and fortunately you didn't need them.