How long should you wait before drinking water after purifying it with iodine tablets?

When using iodine tablets to purify water, it is important to allow sufficient time for the iodine to effectively disinfect the water. The recommended wait time before drinking the water after adding the iodine tablets is typically around 30 minutes. This duration ensures that the iodine has enough time to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, making the water safe for consumption. Inadequate waiting times could result in the persistence of pathogens, which would defeat the purpose of purification.

While there are shorter or longer possibilities suggested, 30 minutes strikes the right balance to ensure safety while considering practical needs for accessing drinking water during situations like outdoor activities or emergencies. This is why this particular time frame is commonly accepted and recommended in survival and first-aid training contexts.