Can you drink the first collection of rainwater from the collection tubes on a life raft?

Answer 1

Assuming here that you are on an ocean or ocean island. If you are on a lake, there is no reason, drink directly from the lake of course.

If on the ocean, first drops of rain I would run my hand over the collection plate to break up any salt crust so that what rain you had would wash it off. As soon as it is wet, you do this. I have had survival courses on the ocean and small ocean islands, and you very quickly will know that water is worth more than its weight in gold. You do not waste it at all, but first salt exposure is bad. After a rain storm, you want to fold up the collector and protect it.

What is seldom stated, is that if you fold up the collection surface, and it is wet, and store it, you have a great chance of fungus and mold to start development, along with some bacteria. That can be very bad for health. So after collection, dry the surface in the sun (ultraviolet rays will help sterilize it some) and fold it up and store it as dry as possible.