Potassium Permanganate Survival Uses And Warnings Potassium permanganate is an inorganic but water soluble compound.

It is also known as Condy's crystals and permanganate of potash. In it's most usable form for survival it is 99% pure and looks like deep purple crystals about half the size of a grain of rice. This chemical has a strong oxidizing property, which is why it is very useful in many applications. As a water purifier use 3-4 crystals per liter of water. It will give a faint pink hue that will kill most bacteria. Let stand for 2 hours before consuming. The purification concentration level is also good for use in home aquaculture and as a vegetable wash. The precise measurements are 2.5mg/liter of water (concentration of 1:10,000). More or less is not always better with this chemical. Less does not do the job. Beyond 5mg only begins increasing the potassium levels of the water. While an essential trace element, potassium can be poisonous. This mixture does not kill viruses as the level necessary to kill viruses (50mg/liter) is also highly toxic when ingested. However, that increased toxicity level does have uses as an external wash to combat skin disorders and fungus. For an entire body bath use 1 gram per 6 gallons of water to use as a soak bath to combat eczema. Stronger concentrations where the mixture begins looking purple can be used as a treatment for dermatitis, fungal infections, athletes foot, skin ulcers, canker sores, and other skin conditions resulting from outside vectors. It also has been used as a general skin disinfectant and vaginal douche. It has strong dye properties that are useful for marking. However this is a downside when used in the above listed uses. It will stain teeth and skin. Therefore using as directed above must be limited to emergency and medical necessity. Care must also be taken to not touch the crystals with bare skin. It is a powerful oxidizer. This has use as an emergency fire starter when you mound a teaspoon and pour over an equal amount of glycerin, auto antifreeze, or brake fluid. This is a self combustive (hypergolic) mixture. Or you could dry mix equal parts finely ground sugar and potassium permanganate and ignite with either a few drops water or flint/steel sparks. Please note that the reaction is not instantaneous. Give it the time to properly react. As an oxidizer it will ruin most metals rapidly and deteriorate anything organic fast. It needs to be stored in plastic containers and away from where it will contact metals, liquids, or other organic material. A small plastic container with a plastic cap and O-ring seal is optimum. A small optimal container is a highly useful addition to a survival kit. Main warnings: Its an aggressive oxidizer. It must be kept in a safe, non-reactive container. Solutions mixed too strong can cause caustic burns! Potassium permanganate will dye just about anything it comes in contact with pink or purple. It is a strong oxidizing substance that should not be exposed unintentionally to a flame. It is a strong oxidizing substance that should not be exposed unintentionally to metals or organics. In its pure form, potassium permanganate is toxic and can cause eye and skin irritations. It should not be inhaled or ingested. Same warning for its fumes after a reaction. It is a known abortifacient. Care must be use around pregnant or potentially pregnant females.