How To Use A Wheel Filter скачать в хорошем качестве

How To Use A Wheel Filter

Thanks to Gauz Y. for this video and description. We encourage everyone to read the info below! 0:00 - [Required supplies & first steps] 2:43 - [Back-loading technique] 6:16 - [Wrap-up] Filters are crucial for harm reduction. Empowering our communities with WFs and the know-how to use them makes a big impact! Studies show that WF can remove microbes like bacteria & mold, virtually eliminating the risk of non-viral infections & disease (when combined with best practices for safe injection). IV drug mixtures, esp when made from pills, contain millions of insoluble particles that accumulate in the body over time. They can cause blockages in the circulatory system, serious lung diseases, & even tissue death. Most filters offered by most syringe service programs (known as "cottons") help slow the progression of such issues: research shows that some cottons can remove most insoluble particles larger than 50μm. (50μm ≈ smallest particle visible to the naked eye) Unfortunately, cottons can't remove all of the particles that cause those complications. Cottons also can’t filter out microbes like bacteria, fungi, & mold. For example, the bacteria that usually cause infected abscesses are 100x smaller than 50μm. Microbes are a primary cause of abscesses, cellulitis, sepsis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, necrosis (tissue death), amputations, and more for People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Our interactions with PWID, along with extensive research across the world, indicate that these issues are relatively common. The good news is that these complications are preventable, & that many of the barriers to widespread WF use can be overcome! The bad news is that the barriers are high: higher costs compared to cottons; low accessibility; low funding; a lack of time to teach/learn; longer prep time (esp while learning); and the fact that most PWID in the US either don't know about WF or the advantages of using them. ◈ TIPS ◈ Pre-Filtering ▸WF tend to clog unless the mix is pre-filtered, even if the mix already appears clear ▸Moistening cottons first can reduce particles that get through ▸Avoid cig filters: even fresh ones contain glues & other soluble additives Pills ▸Pill coatings can be especially dangerous to IV. Fold the pill in a fresh alcohol wipe, gently rub it off, & let it dry ▸Other methods work too: just avoid using saliva or heat! (see FAQ for more on heating) ▸For hard to dissolve pills, first add a few drops of water & stir to form a paste. Slowly add more while stirring until big particles dissolve & the liquid is thin enough to draw up. ▸Saline water can help prevent "gelling" in some pills. Priming ▸WF can be moistened by adding 1-2 drops of sterile water into the inlet (bigger hole) before filtering ▸This isn't always necessary, depending on membrane type. i.e. PES & PVDF types don't need to be primed. But it can still help things filter more easily & reduce clogging! ◈ FAQ ◈ Q: Why not add heat? A: Active ingredients tend to be VERY soluble in small amounts of room-temp water. Heat makes more fillers dissolve. Heat can also melt waxy filler, which can "trap" the drug in an insoluble coating. Melted wax can pass through or clog WF, then harden when it cools down in the body. WF membranes can filter out microbes that heat would sometimes kill off. Q: Where can I buy Wheel Filters (WF), and what kind? A: The WF we generally recommend are both "PES 0.22μm" filters. PES is a membrane type that lets water & dissolved drugs pass through. You can find more info on different types on the site linked at the end of this FAQ. Here are the large filters from the video: https://www.amazon.com/Syringe-Hydrof... And the small filters that we now use: https://amazon.com/Syringe-Polyethers... Q: The mix is clear. Does that mean it's weaker? A: Most drugs (including those found in pills) are 100% clear when dissolved in water. Many dyes are insoluble in water; so WF can even remove coloring. Any particles/cloudiness in a mix is due to fillers, binders, and/or cuts. Q: Can I reuse the wheel filter? A: WF are single-use only. Microbes like to grow in moist environments. Re-use is not recommended; but rinsing a filter with sterile water after each use can reduce risks. If there's no resistance when filtering, the membrane is broken & no longer works. Q: My pills contain "xyz", is that okay? A: It's a good idea to look up all the ingredients to check if they're soluble in water & safe for injection. If it's not water-soluble, it should be removable with a WF. ◈ More info can be found here: https://bluelight.org/xf/threads/micr...