The Tippy Tap

     I am always on the lookout for methods of doing things that can be adapted for our use in the case of weather-related catastrophes, national crises, or emergency situations which limit our access to modern conveniences.
     I stumbled across this technology, called "The Tippy Tap", that is being used in third-world countries by relief organizations.  Hygiene, as you can imagine, is a problem in under-developed countries, where disease takes its toll on human life.   The Tippy Tap is a hands-free way to wash your hands that is especially appropriate for areas where there is no running water, which could easily be a scenario in any of the above described circumstances.
     It is operated by a foot lever and reduces the chance for bacteria transmission because the user touches only the soap.  The water source is left uncontaminated.
    It uses only 40 millilitres of water (which is a little over 1/4 cup) to wash your hands.  Additionally, the used “waste” water can go to plants or back into the water table.  The first ‘official’ Tippy Tap was built in the eighties by Dr. Jim Watt in Zimbabwe using a gourd.  Since then, many variations  have come into existence depending on local materials and aesthetics.
     The illustrations below, show you just how easy it would be to set up a Tippy Tap:

   
     I was so impressed with this technology that I just had to pass it along, and I'm sure you engineering geniuses out there can come up with ways to modify it.  But if we are ever faced with a crisis that results in rampant disease and infection, personal hygiene will be at the top of everyone's list of "survival" demands.
     Diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections are responsible for 2.2 million deaths worldwide each year; and mostly in children in developing countries.  But we all know that a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, can disrupt our sophisticated water treatment facilities.  Add the possibilities of terrorist events or other national emergencies, and we will all realize just how much we took for granted the simple task of washing our hands.  The spread of cholera and dysentery would not be out of the question.
     But with this simple design, everyone has access to a bar of soap and unpolluted water, which will go a long way to keeping these life-threatening diseases at bay.  Back to the basics works for me!

2 Samuel 22:21    "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me."