Since I was 14, I used to ride my bike and cycle for miles to camp in the Atlantic Forest, alone or with some friends.

That was the start of my journey, beginning in one of the richest Brazilian biomes that exists: the Atlantic Forest.

The Atlantic Forest is a biome rich in biodiversity on the planet, covering up to 12% of the entire Brazilian territory and home to 17 states in total. My father was like a missionary who worked with the indigenous population of the Xokleng tribe, which gave me the opportunity to live with them and learn more about our ancestors.

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Later, as an adult, shortly after leaving the army, I started working as a team member in some survival courses taught by army non-commissioned officers, learning from military jungle experts how to teach survival courses. This experience planted in my heart the desire to visit the imposing Amazon Rainforest, which I later did. The Atlantic Forest is quite humid and it rains all year round. Summer is very hot, with temperatures around 40°C, and winter can be very cold, with temperatures reaching 0°C.

In 2012, I started the Costa Bushcraft and Survival project, a school focused on survival training in the Atlantic Forest and the Brazilian Amazon.

The term "bushcraft", is becoming increasingly known around the world and requires a solid knowledge base. In order to go beyond my military survival training, which often depends on logistics, I began to research all the biomes in the country and seek more knowledge from our ancestors, elders and indigenous ethnic groups.

In Brazil, we have 6 biomes including as the Pampa, the Cerrado, the Atlantic Forest, the Amazon Rainforest, the Caatinga and the Pantanal. During this process, I stayed in the homes of riverside dwellers, local residents, settlers and indigenous people, each in their own biome, to learn more about how they lived and thrived with the resources that nature offered them.

And that is bushcraft! - Adapting to life in the natural world and thriving with the resources available, respecting nature and connecting with it through some practices, such as learning about medicinal plants, some natural foods, creating some shelters, learning about some primitive methods of fire, among others.

During this period, I had some problems because I drank the water that the locals drank and, because I was not used to that environment, I ended up having diarrhea at the beginning of the journey, because I used it without the correct treatment, often due to the rush of activities and I ended up procrastinating in this regard.

It was then that I discovered what is now a lifesaver and should be for all outdoor enthusiasts: the SAYWER filter! When I discovered this great piece of equipment, I put it in my backpack and it has been with me for years, but I have never had another one. Thanks to the reliable material, the water bottles I would otherwise buy are no longer needed, which is good for savings and sustainability.

After using the filter, I learned about the social projects the company carries out by donating over 90% of the profits to bring drinking water to the world!

Water, in survival, is one of the most essential "foods", mainly because we are considered walking "water bags", as we have on average 70% water. Following the rule of "3", we can go 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water!

In survival situations in the wild, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring access to drinking water.

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Rivers, streams and natural springs may seem safe, but they are often contaminated by microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa and sediments that can cause serious illnesses. It is in this context that the SAWYER filter stands out as an essential tool for bushcraft practitioners, hikers, adventurers and professionals in the field.

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I am proud to use this water filter because it is an environmentally friendly product, I produce less waste, and I'm supporting projects knowing that more people in the world will be able to live life healthy and hydrated with clean water!