Multi-use items!

[Rick]

Socks =

bandages (cut in strips)
Compress (cut length wise and fold into square)
char clothe (cotton socks)
Prevent sunburn on neck and ears (cut length wise and stuff one end under hat)
Expedient TP (Hey, it happens.)
Water Filter (cover the opening of your water container with the sock and use it to strain out debris as you fill up the water container)

[crashdive123]

Socks also =

pot holders
expedient weapon (flail)
hanging food out of reach of wild game or the kids
berry/wild edible carry basket
mittens

[Rick]

This is a new low, Crash. You're copying off yourself!:D

[crashdive123]

I just saw that.....man, getting old sucks sometimes At least I'm consistent.

[Rick]

I thought the same thing when I read it. It would have been a whole lot worse if you had repeated yourself but put completely different items up. Then we'd know you were senile, too. Maybe you've been sucking those pest chems in the truck while no one's watching. Hmmmmmm :D

[crashdive123]

There was a story I read awhile back where some kids were "huffing" pesticeds to get high......until they got hold of Vikane Gas.

[Rick]

"I was like huffing some Vikane, man, and I looked up and this giant spider was, like, right over my head."

"Bummer, dude. Was it like a real spider?"

"No, man. I was like death, you know?"

"You mean I'm......?"

"Totally. We both are."

"Well that sucks."

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/naturalworld/bughouse/graphics/Giant-animatronic-spider.jpg

[crashdive123]

If spiders were that big......I would quickly find another line of work.:eek::eek::eek:

[Teacher]

I am thinking dinner for the whole family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crashdive123]

.....and then some.

[Rick]

Sort of like chips with the dip on the inside.....Yuch!

[bulrush]

Excuse me while I go vomit about something else.
*hurl*

[Rick]

Whad I say? Whad I say?

[LostOutrider]

What about hand sanitizer? Instead of vaseline-soaked cotton balls, I keep a 1.5 oz bottle of Germ-X (62% Ethyl Alcohol) in my kit. (Since I hump it in, space and weight are at a premium.)

Uses:

1. Clean hands prior to eating/prepping food and after you drop deuce off the trail (general health)

2. Antiseptic treatment for cuts 'n scrapes (first aid)

3. Field expedient sterilization for knife/razor blade or stitching needle (first aid - if you don't have heat or fire)

4. Fire starter - even on damp tinder (the alcohol suspension burns slow and dries out the tinder before igniting it. Careful, burns with a clear flame. Don't go checking it with your finger to see if it is lit.)

[Gray Wolf]

Nice tip LostOutrider.

[maximilian]

Suggested item to cover, surprised nobody has read Douglas Adams here; Towel.

Pretty much everything socks, bandanas. and gauze can do, a towel can.
Hat
Sun shade/micro tarp
clothes patch if you've got sewing kit
Attitude adjuster for children (*pop*)
Filter for floaties and grit in water
loincloth (with belt/rope etc.)
Sack/hobo bag
Fish gripper
Field expedient cloth glove

[Beo]

And reusable TP :D if ya wash it out.

[crashdive123]

Whew! I was just worried what you were gonna say Beo, when you say that list and he had loincloth and sack listed next to each other.

[Beo]

Maybe its a sac cloth or loincloth for your sac:D

[SARKY]

Snare wire: 1: use in place of 550 cord when building a shelter.
2: tie up your muffler after you broke it loose 4 wheeling.
3: use to make drying rack for jerky.

[HaroldB]

Are you ready? Walking Staff!:cool:

I put a Cold-Steel Bushman on my walking staff (it's legal here in WA State). Then covered that end with findged leather, to look "native" ;)

[sgtdraino]

A bit redundant since I already mentioned it elsewhere, but Tea Tree Oil definitely seems to belong in this thread. Uses:

1. Moisturizer
2. Antiseptic
3. Antifungal
4. Insect Repellent
5. Shaving Oil
6. Burn Treatment
7. Bite Treatment
8. Acne Treatment
9. Fuel Source
10. Lubricating Oil
11. Mouth Wash

[PipeBundle]

Did anyone mention the lid or bottom a coffee can? Sorry I didn't read through all the stuff.

Uses:
Knife
Scraping tool
Frying/cooking surface
Spatula/cooking tool
Punch a bunch of holes in it and you have a cheese grater

I dunno....whatever else you have use for a round sharp piece of metal.

[BuckyBadger]

Snake

You can eat all of it except the head if it's venomous, you can use its venom to tip arrows (it works with the right snake), you can use its skin for cordage or anything you might use a strip of leather for, you can hold water in the skin, and in the Mexico episode of Man vs Wild, Bear Grylls had to pee into a snakeskin and drink from it.

[crashdive123]

Don't drink pee!

[nell67]

Snake

You can eat all of it except the head if it's venomous, you can use its venom to tip arrows (it works with the right snake), you can use its skin for cordage or anything you might use a strip of leather for, you can hold water in the skin, and in the Mexico episode of Man vs Wild, Bear Grylls had to pee into a snakeskin and drink from it.
Bear is just sick that way,personally,I think he just enjoys drinking pee,and is trying to recruit more people into his sick way of thinking.....

[old soldier]

Bear is just sick that way,personally,I think he just enjoys drinking pee,and is trying to recruit more people into his sick way of thinking.....

this was on the news back in Aug or Sept, Bear spent many nights in a motel when he said he was sleeping in the out back, his camera crew ratted him out, he does know what he's doing most of the time but sometimes you can see that it's staged when he walks thru deep grass without looking, there are copperheads and timber rattlers around here and none on my land but i still keep my eyes open when in tall grass and brush in case no one told the snake that he's trespassing.

[Badawg]

Dental floss works very well for stitches. I sewed my hand with it in Mexico after figuring out I couln't get fishing line through the needle... Bonus... It's sterile.

Another thing I carry is 100lbs. test braided Dacron fishing line. Very light and small and a myriad of uses so you can save the 550 for where it's really needed.

Also, Binder clips are great as tarp clamps, rope stops, or for fixing torn clothing. you can pull the 'handle' off, straighten it and use it for a poker/awl/hook as it's some tough wire. I have been known to put them on the edge of a pot to use as a handle too.

[Rick]

Bonus... It's sterile

Well, that just conjured up all kinds of curiosity on my part. Sterile huh? I just happen to have an un-opened six pack of Crest dental floss. No where does the word "sterile" appear. I'd sure like to see your source on that.

[skyscrapers]

Halligan Tool


(for those of you who don't know what it is... it's like a crowbar except modified for firemen and emergency personnel.)

[Rick]

And do you put a Halligan Tool in your pack or just tote it like a rifle?

[crashdive123]

For those not familiar with the Halligan Tool ---- from Wiki ---- A Halligan bar (also called a Halligan tool) is a special tool commonly used in the fire and rescue service. It was designed by and named after Hugh Halligan, a First Deputy Fire Chief in the New York City Fire Department, in 1948, based upon the well known Kelly tool.[1] The Halligan is a multipurpose tool for prying, twisting, punching, or striking. It consists of a claw (or fork), a blade (wedge or adze), and a tapered pick, which is especially useful in quickly forcing open many types of locked doors. Either the adze end or fork end of the tool can be used to break through the latch of a swinging door by forcing the tool between the door and door jamb and prying the two apart, striking it with another Halligan, a Denver tool or a flat-head axe. Using a K-tool and the adze end, a lock cylinder can easily be pulled. There are many other uses of the Halligan tool, including vehicle extrication and opening of walls.

Now, don't be a Hooligan - head on over to the introduction section and tell us about yourself. Thanks.

[Pal334]

At a minimum pocket knife and duct tape. I swear you can fix anything with it :)

[GreatWhiteHunter]

superglue!!!

[Badawg]

Well, that just conjured up all kinds of curiosity on my part. Sterile huh? I just happen to have an un-opened six pack of Crest dental floss. No where does the word "sterile" appear. I'd sure like to see your source on that.

Some is, some isn't I have Kimberly-Clark that is sterile and says so on the box. J&J used to be, but don't know right now. Nowadays I have a suture kit I bought in Tijuana Mexico, so I hope I never have to sew myself back up with floss...

[minuteman]

a simple multitool has multilple applications, though not exactly sure if that's what your looking for. Another one is the .22 caliber bullet. It's easy to pull the lead tip off and utilize the gun powder to start a fire with a flint striker. My personal favorite i would have to say is 7 strand paracord. It has so many applications that you would only be limited by your own imagination.

[Sarge47]

My personal favorite i would have to say is 7 strand paracord. It has so many applications that you would only be limited by your own imagination.
Have you read this whole Sticky?:confused: We've covered 550 cord to death!:cool:

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

Most any item has multiple uses governed only by ones imagination and needs

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

Heres one for ya , a discarded can which we all know are everywhere these days:
reflector for signal and fire, cooking vessel, candle lantern, water cup, fishing lure, makeshift blade, etc

[Stairman]

Another use for dental floss/thread is a wind checker tied to your gun barrel or bow when hunting.

[Brazito]

Having worked in the industry in the past: http://www.dadant.com/
I learned long ago of the medicinal properties of honey:http://www.drgrotte.com/honey-medicine.shtml

[Brazito]

You can fix anything with duct tape and a hammer.

Except for a crystal wine glass.

[Brazito]

Brass wire (copper wire, stainless steel)

fire starter (two small strips inserted into the bulb socket of a mini mag light. Not LED version)

Would you expand on this please? What will it burn?

[Gray Wolf]

Would you expand on this please? What will it burn?

It will burn your house down if you have some tinder, some dried branches, some bigger dried branches and some logs. Or just some tinder and gasoline... :D

[Stairman]

Would you expand on this please? What will it burn?

Itll burn steel wool so fast you better be ready with another tinder type or poof,its gone

[TDG]

- Any type of string or wire (dental floss, parachute cord, cords on my backpack).
- piece of hard plastic (for traps, fishing hooks, preparing food if it's sharpened)

That's stuff I find useful and I can't think of any more stuff this fast :p

[endurance]

Whew! Took me two days to read the entire list but it was a fine introduction to you folks. Definitely some good humor along with some great ideas, from garbage bags for thread to potassium permanganate for signaling on snow (yes, I read the warning section, I just found it fascinating, that's all).

Two things that came to mind for me were suggestions from friends of mine that do adventure racing.

Regarding surgical tubing, a 6-10' section can be used to tie the sternum strap of a slower teammate to the pack of a faster teammate to increase the overall speed. Since it's elastic in nature, it doesn't jerk and lengthens the stride of the second runner or rider (can be used on the bike as well, although directly between the bikes not the riders) enough to bring their speed up significantly without adding to their fatigue. I've tried it on the bike once and it worked brilliantly when a friend's derailleur broke and we couldn't bodge together his chain well enough to ride out under his own power. Didn't work on the steep climbs (we feared it would snap) but worked well on the flats and mild stuff.

Regarding space blankets, cutting them up if you have to keep moving so they cover your arms, legs and torso when you're underdressed is a great way to keep warm on the fly. tuck the top and bottom into your waste and socks or shirt sleeve and close the rest up with duct tape or electrical tape. You could probably do the same thing with trash bags or sheets of plastic (visqueen).

[SnipAR-10]

Ok. Here's a couple:

Bicycle innertube:
Canteen (remove valve. beach cruiser tubes good for this, rinse out the powder first)
Cut across to make "ranger bands" (rubber bands, but thicker, any width)
Cut into strips to make lashings/wrappings for tools, knives, spears, walking sticks etc.
Flotation device
sling or slingshot band (not great for slingshot band but would be allright for a Hawaiian type spear band)
sling for broken arm/wrist support
Cut a length and stretch over tool handles or pistols for a cheap grip enhancer.(works great on pistols where you want a better grip, but without bulk)

Folding E-tool (shovel)
dig/scrape/light prying
root cutting (your results may vary)
Light machete type cutting (haven't tried it myself but it's supposed to work)
weapon (ever see the russian manual of arms for a shovel?)
"ranger seat" Short explanation: unfold shovel into the 90degree locked position. Place "D" flat of handle on ground while having back of spade against the rear/middle of your thigh. Useful when. er.. Pooping. Requires a bit of balancing. Can be done with the pointed end of the spade facing in, or out. (Pointing inward isn't too bad, just requires a slight lean towards one side. Pointing out allows more stability, but the handle can become...hmm... "soiled" if you're not careful. Also, an edge-sharpened one is NOT recommended for this use.) Try the sitting technique with pants-up and you'll get the idea.

[Gray Wolf]

SnipAR-10, I think you need to read this whole thread (pages 1 to 15), plus another thread here on multi use items, so you don't wind up posting that's been posted before. Just for your own knowledge.

[Sam]

Would you expand on this please? What will it burn?

The usual method is to use 000 or finer steel wool as it will burn nicely.
-Sam

[tennecedar]

These micro hand drills are great. I get mine from the welding supply shop to repair torch tips. The little drill has taken the place of my awl. From leather work to making antler buttons it works wonderfully. I've recently added one to my first aid kit. I smashed my thumb and got a painful blue spot under the nail. I sanitized the smallest included bit and carefully drilled thru my nail. The resulting relief in pressure was amazing. Afterwords i resealed the nail with a drop of super glue. I'm not advising anyone to do this themselves. I am simply telling you what I did. The drill comes with 6 bits from 1/16" and down. It's about the size of an ink pen and weighs as much. I pay around $8 each locally.

[Schleprok]

Okay, maybe I missed this one....

Superglue. We used to call it the knife fighters friend. Works great for sealing cuts, even fairly deep ones. Still have the 3 inch scar on my arm for proof. Actually the scar isn't as obvious as ones that I had stitched.

Duct tape. This was called the gunfighters friend. Great cover for bullet wound. But, still need medical assistance....

How about if you're shot through the lung with no exit wound. Hard to breath. Cellophane from a cigarette pack, or any plastic to cover the wound. Keeps air from being sucked through the hole and makes breathing easier. Again, seek medical assistance....

Lastly, just keep your eyes open. If it looks interesting and the price is right, pick it up. I was in CVS pharmacy and for .99 I picked up one of those compartmentalized 7 day pill holder. Didn't know what for, until I got home. This thing has squared bins and each holds 4 rounds of .32acp. Perfect way to carry 28 spare rounds in my butt pack when hiking.

[mountain mama]

ok i think i mentioned this before, but tallow candles (they're edible too)

[Rick]

Maybe in your world. Tallow....yuck!

[mountain mama]

if you get hungry enough or have nuthin' but rabbit....

also, it can be used as frying grease

[Rick]

Okay. I'll go with the grease. I'll plop the rabbit in the grease.:rolleyes:

[SnipAR-10]

SnipAR-10, I think you need to read this whole thread (pages 1 to 15), plus another thread here on multi use items, so you don't wind up posting that's been posted before. Just for your own knowledge.

With real life obligations, I am usually not able to spend the time needed to read some threads in their entirety. Mostly turns out to be small bits here and there. Even so, I figured the info I posted might be useful to someone somewhere.

OH. Tennecedar, That drill piece looks pretty useful to me also. Another technique to relive the pressure from underneath a fingernail is to use a paperclip, or other thin piece of wire. Heat it almost to red hot, and it will burn a nice clean hole through the fingernail without any pressure from drilling. Done this a few times to myself in the past, and oh boy does that pressure release make a difference for comfort.

[Ole WV Coot]

You can add another use for a knife. I have always put the point on the black or blood spot and spun the blade in a 1/2 arc. Always have a knife and it is easier to control. Could have a multi-use thread or book on uses for a knife.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

i use bandans for cordage, filters,bandages,nets,wringing oil from nuts,and to carry food

[Rick]

Uh, probably not. Like you said. That's a lot of stuff.

[sgtdraino]

Has anybody mentioned "pencil?"

Write with it, keep the shavings as you sharpen it, and it gradually turns into fire-starting material. The painted surface helps keep the pencil wood dry.

[Ken]

Multi-use condom. Introducing the rain hat use:

[doren]

Home Depot paint bucket. A friend had the idea and uses them for storage. So we brainstormed the following uses.

chair
food storage
water collection
flotation device (he says it's water proof)
signaling device (it's Home Depot orange)
animal trap

Seems like there was a couple more, but I can't remember at the moment.

[Rick]

Is this the one?

http://teksandwich.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/bucket11.jpg

[doren]

Yep, that's the one.

[Trouble]

A bike has a lot of uses. You could dismantle it and use the tires for signaling for some help by burning them, the spokes could be tied on a stick to create a spear, the little elastic bands can be used as emergency rope, and a lot of other things.

[crashdive123]

.....or you could ride it to safety.....just saying.

[Trouble]

Yeah, but what if you're stranded? Like, the tires are flat or the chain spontaneously combusted? :p

[Rick]

Then quickly use the spontaneous combusted chain to set the flat tires on fire for a signal fire. Viola! Rescued.

[crashdive123]

Well, there's always that.

[Sarge47]

A bike has a lot of uses. You could dismantle it and use the tires for signaling for some help by burning them, the spokes could be tied on a stick to create a spear, the little elastic bands can be used as emergency rope, and a lot of other things. Just like Les Stroud did on Survivorman.:innocent:

[2dumb2kwit]

I just looked through all 17 pages of this thread/sticky, and didn't see where anyone has admitted that ductape can be used as a babysitter!:innocent:

[Rick]

Does a pretty good job of restraining moderators, too.

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/duct-tape-man.jpg

[Rick]

I just couldn't let this one pass. No wise cracks!! (chuckle. I slay myself)

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_oct2006/DuctTape.jpg

[2dumb2kwit]

Hahaha....good one!


BTW, is that anyone that we know?:blushing:

[crashdive123]

I'll bet it hurts when it gets pulled off.

[Rick]

Vell, Meester Crash. Alexi iz pullink the tape off very very slowly unless you would now like to tell us of this submarine of yours, yes?

[crashdive123]

I ain't saying nuttin. Besides, it's cheaper than a waxing.

[davewolf164]

not to go off subject, but dont forget a flashlite lens.Good for signaling and starting a fire.

[Ken]

You'll do a helluva' lot better with these:

http://safezonellc.com/starflash.html

http://www.safezonellc.com/firestarters.html

[Excalibur]

my two siberian huskies. Beasts of Burden, Guards, Warmth, Morale, and loud signaling devices

[Ken]

Does a pretty good job of restraining moderators, too.

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/duct-tape-man.jpg

*opening up a new window and ordering 10 cases*

[tonester]

i dont know if someone has mentioned this already, but the screen on your cell phone can be used as a last resort reflector for signaling.

[sgtdraino]

i dont know if someone has mentioned this already, but the screen on your cell phone can be used as a last resort reflector for signaling.

Very true. My cell phone screen has an indicator which tells me how good my signaling is. When I have good signaling, I can call for help! :D

[HanoverDan]

I havehad my walking staff for a couple of years and it has grown.
On top is a simple compas
under the 550 cord is two hollow parts and in them is a lighter and a small sharp knife. Under the edge of the 550 is a very good whistle. Added weight is about 5 ounces or less. I have one for each of my 7 grandkids basically the same only shorter and taller. yu can figure out what to use the items for.
Respect
Daniel

[wooly]

Thought to add one that will carry nicely to your packs or backs.

Backtag holder

-offers an extra virtually waterproof pocket with few mods
-giant safety pin for larger tarp or fabric repair
- Identification/map holder
- meat skewer for open fire cooking
- inconspicuouse last resort weapon
- good eye guide for hand lines
- quick release for a pull up rope clip

Geeze I'm almost intimidated to post this after so much has been covered here alredy.

[TacticalIntelligence]

Great list of uncommon uses for those items guys! Now how about some combinations of the items listed? Here's some examples:

1. condom and a long tube sock make a more resilient water container than a condom alone.
2. duct tape in combination with paracord will make a great sling (duct tape used for the rock holder).
3. Knife, Paracord, and walking stick make a field-expedient spear
4. etc... (I think you get the point)

Any thoughts?

[Survival Guy 10]

OK, we all agree that Duct tape has a lot more uses than we could possibly list here without running Chris out of bandwidth.:rolleyes: Let's move on to Bandanas, one of my favorites as these 1st 3 are something you usually keep around the house.:D

duct tape is like the force it has a light lide and a dark side and we belive it holds the whole universe together-Adam Savage (mythbusters guy)

[Nath1985]

I saw a handy little keychain multitool online somewhere for about £10, Looked like a good buy. Should really get one to replace my bottle opener keyring as i think it had one in it as well!

Could fit easily onto the outside of your BOB pack as a spare...

[Rick]

I thought I'd let everyone know that if you have a Coleman propane lantern the Bernzomatic propane cylinders will fit them. It might be a bit intuitive but you might not think about them if something happens. The threads are the same.

[hybrid]

one of the most useful things on a bike is making a slingshot from the tyres and the front forks. island kids I used to know would put ball sinkers thru street signs at 15m with those things.

condoms, you can braid em for bands. Wont last forever but hey... if they did most of us wouldn't be here, right? :d

It tastes awful but you can also use inner tubes as water storage, and wear it over your shoulder. Wrap with cloth or grass to insulate from solar heat unless you want ah ot shower later that day. The cables from brakes etc make fine snares and fishing trace, spokes you can weave and fold with pliers into a passable grill. The tyres on wide tracked rides like mountain bikes can be made into tolerable sandals.

Cellphones... actually pretty interesting things. The steel case models you can pop the front panel and with a little snapping and rubbing on a stone make a passable fishhook from the edge of the faceplate around the screen. The battery pack often has a holographic decal which when fixed to a sliver of metal or bamboo makes a good spinning lure. You can recharge the packs off anything with a similar voltage and ampage and even with no service, it's still a useful light. Battery cells make a moderately loud pop when you put them in a fire, maybe useful for scaring animals away from camp for the night. Or maybe not :D

Also the recharge cord can be used for snares, cordage, the copper can be stripped and used for other things and the little pins if they have holes in em can be used as lures, or weights.

bank cards hold a decent edge for prepping veggies etc, and can be heat moulded into other shapes.

a lightweight flashlight or torch even when out of batteries and without a bulb can still be used for storing prepared foods, anything you want to keep fairly dry and the clicking button can beu sed for communication between hunters working together so prey is not spooked by human voices.

[hybrid]

Just going with the "things in my pockets" thing... house keys (okay, anyone on this site has more gear on their keyring than most people have in their toolbox, mine has a small razor sharp folder and a magnifying lens and I take things easy, hah) can make dart or arrow heads with some grinding, older barrel style keys can make very good awls and reamers with some touch ups and if you have a carkey where the light flashes when you press it, even without the car you can signal quite a distance on a dark night or use it in pitch black to get SOME kind of light ...albeit it a one inch circle of it at a two inch distance, but better than rug burn anyway. Three heavyish keys and some cord makes you a lightweight bola for small prey. The keyring can be heated, sliced with downward blow with a stone or timber into a (preferably not your only) knifeblade across its diameter and then heated-bent into fishhooks or birdhooks.

Often found in bags, gloveboxes etc are personal care things like deodorant or cologne, soaps and tissue. tissue is so obvious I'm not going into it :D Soaps, obvious hygeine, also good bait for freshwater crays and rodents. Make enough of a lather and throw it into a small pond and it will deprive fishies of a lot of oxygen making them easier to spear or scoop. You can turn some soaps into very crude candles, and can be used to lubricate gear.

The cologne, if the aerosol kind obviously it's flammable, somewhat antiseptic (if painful), the can itself is for toolmaking and the base can be polished to a parabolic reflector. If the roll on kind, those balls float pretty well. And the stuff inside is usually rich in aluminium compounds identical to those used in "stopsticks" for shaving cuts, as well as "stop itch' products for insect bites. You can also spray a TINY bit of solvent based sprays onto tinder or a candle wick and just the spark from a dead Bic will ignite it... many, many lights in a can with an old lighter on hand.

Tampons are notoriously popular with moonshiners for final polishing and filtering... combined with charcoal, aeriation etc they could form part of a crude water treatment system. Plain cotton, for preference.

Remember to that you can pull just about any fabric apart into individual strands for stitching wounds, braiding, making snares, fishing lines, bird nets etc.

Oh, and eyelets on boots and bags are handy for sizing natural cordage as you make it, if you want a very consistent product. If you have to discard boots, keep the soles and as much lace as you can and make sandals.

Anything plastic you have can also be melted (unless its thermoset, of course) and used for repairs, plugging holes, a fast n dirty adhesive.

pens, pencils, obvious sharp implements. Avoid using your only blade as a spearhead, fire hardened timber points have served hundreds of cultures perfectly well for millenia and they didn't have to kick emselves in the bum when they lost/snapped/chipped their only blade.

Clothing (especially among sensible outdoor and hardworking types) usually has some areas where you can remove the lining and leave the exterior (preferably at end of winter!). use this to make a carrybag, a water screen, slit and stretch like security mesh for a crude net and pockets can be saved from worn out clothes for pouches or mittens.

[beehlebf]

hot glue sticks are a great thing to have use a flame as a glue gun and u can have an easy to carry glue to fix any broken or torn gear i.e. water bladder torn tent or whatever

[survivalpro#4]

[QUOTE=mbarnatl;12733]- zip lock bags
- 550 cord
- snare wire
- aluminum foil
- surgical tubing
- dental floss
- sewing needles
- safety pins
- flexible cable ties
- sewing thread
dont need dental floss you use the inside strings for the 550 cord

[Sarge47]

[quote=mbarnatl;12733]- zip lock bags
- 550 cord
- snare wire
- aluminum foil
- surgical tubing
- dental floss
- sewing needles
- safety pins
- flexible cable ties
- sewing thread
dont need dental floss you use the inside strings for the 550 cord
How about an intro? :cool2:

[RichJ]

I thought I'd let everyone know that if you have a Coleman propane lantern the Bernzomatic propane cylinders will fit them. It might be a bit intuitive but you might not think about them if something happens. The threads are the same.

On the same note, the green Coleman camping cylinders will also fit a Benzomatic trigger-start torch. I keep one in my camping box for when everything is wet from a hard rain. Works like a champ.

[pollkmartine]

- Match Box
- Torch
- Water bottle
- Trash bags.
- Duct tape.
- Walking staff(s).
- Zip lock bags
- Snare wire
- Aluminum foil
- Surgical tubing
- Dental floss
- Sewing needles
- Safety pins
- Flexible cable ties
- Sewing thread
- Food
- Gun

[crashdive123]

Hey there polkmartine - I suspect that this suggestion will go unheeded, but I'll try anyway. How about telling us a bit about yourself in the Introduction section. It's a long way from Mumbai, so I provided a link to make it easier. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[Rick]

And a glance through the threads would help. All of those things are listed.

[crashdive123]

Oh I suspect that the next activity will be adding a signature that wants to sell us something that we can't live without. Either that, or they forgot on the first go around. See what happens when you outsource all of your spamming to India. There are plenty of folks out of work here that could spam just as easily.

[Rick]

So rude. No intro. Doesn't read the threads. And spam. I'll do better, I promise.

[RichJ]

I may have posted this one in another thread, but it's a good one.

Take an MRE pouch and cut off the very top with scissors (for a clean cut).
Fold the top over about an inch or so and slide a plastic clip on it to create a really good waterproof bag/pouch.

I use the plastic clips that come on clear report covers. Office Depot sells pack of a heavy duty ones that are perfect. The clip is strong and won't come off easily. Anything you want to keep dry like a wallet, cell phone, GPS ect. fits inside and it's totally waterproof. It will even float with something like a GPS inside if you don't squeeze out the air!

[TangoFoxtrot]

35mm cans? I'm curious on their purpose.

[Rick]

There are several suggestions in this thread.

[xj2000]

Brightly colored duct tape can be used to wrap around branches or trees to mark trails.

EDIT: whoa.:laugh: I didn't notice there were 18 pages to this thread.

[madiesonsmith]

Impressive stuff here. The information and the aspect were just wonderful. I think that your viewpoint is deep, it’s just well thought out and truly incredible to see someone who knows how to put these thoughts so well. Good job!

[Rick]

Oh, yea, yea, sure. We're deep like that. By the way, the next time you decide to put up your picture it probably shouldn't have that StockPhoto watermark on it. What a chump. Good catch, Sarge.

[BENESSE]

:lol: :clap: :wavey:

[hunter63]

Why nor just lock this down and start over???????

[lovlivnlaf]

My trusty Leatherman.....nuff said!

[Ratman]

I was hoping for more on "snare wire" but next is aluminum foil.:cool:
Okay, snare wire can be used to hold a trot line of hooks.
tie plastic bag to branch to catch water.
cut wood expedient chainsaw.
cordage if ya don't have anything else.
tie items to a back pack.
attach to battery contacts for a spark to make fire.

[nilespathfinder]

also to use snare wire to help set splints and hold bandages when moving out to get help, as i did to my brother when we were in the woods and he broke his leg, i tied the 50' of wire in two sections at knee and ankle after covering it with sticks and duct tape and a make shift crutch to help him hobble out to get help. thank god for snare wire and duct tape fellas..... helps with tool making and tree resin, shelter building, equipment repair as a backpack, boot laces, lashing together a smoking rack, lashing a fish trap, wilderness jewelry, helps make a tripod string for lower a plastic bottle to the fire so you can boil water{ hard as hell but can be done in a pinch}, a make shift bolo which works great, also helps make perimiter signaling traps, just a few more things i know of for uses of snare wire

[Rick]

I thought for sure you were going to say you used it to drag him out of the woods.

[nilespathfinder]

lol, rick sometimes i could drag him out buy his feet like a freshly gutted deer.

[tj922]

Ok, here's the deal, we list anything that has more than one use and, next we list different uses and ideas for said items. Here's what I've got so far.

1.) Trash bags.
2.) Duct tape.
3.) Bandana(s).
4.) 35mm film cans.
5.) Walking staff(s).

Anything I've left off?:confused:

550 Para Cord 110 feet, and a canteen cup. A good survival knife with Fish hooks, line, and sewing kit. Some picture wire for snares, is always helpfull.

[Rick]

What would you use the fish hooks for as a multi-use item?

[crashdive123]

Hanging shower curtains?

[Rick]

Well, there you go. Pinning your eyelids open on guard duty. Pinning a wound together (you, not me. That would hurt something fierce).

[hunter63]

I guess.... after giving this some thought, fish hooks "could" be used as a needle for sewing or digging out a sliver....but I am really at a loss to see any other use for a fish hook, than intended......Intrested to hear any other uses from tj922.

As there seems to be a lot of redundancy on this thread, and I seriously doubt that anyone new reads all 19 pages.....But still a LOT of good ideas....
How about locking this thread, and starting over???

[Sparky93]

With a bigger hook you could trap small game with it in a survival situation.

[MiddleWolf]

Just watched the Mythbusters fly their duct tape airplane successfully. And don't forget to replace all the laces on your boots with 550 cord in your favorite color.

[intothenew]

........and I seriously doubt that anyone new reads all 19 pages.....

Well, not to prove you wrong, I just did. And now I am mad at myself, I didn't harvest notes as I went through. Was there ever a synopsis list made?

[hunter63]

Well, not to prove you wrong, I just did. And now I am mad at myself, I didn't harvest notes as I went through. Was there ever a synopsis list made?

Congratulations....good first step...it was a test.
For your next assignment, we expect a master reference list, by category for the betterment of mankind in general......
Carry on......

LOL,jst kidding, but really congrats.

[Rick]

You, sir, are a man with time on your hands.

[intothenew]

I just don't watch much TV.

[Terra Extremusaum]

Heavier duct tape is not always better. Thiner tape often adheres better to things like textiles and tarps. The thinner tapes stretch and shrink with the underlying material.

[noah]

multi use items are

- multi tool

-metal bottle

-vasslene

-socks

-knife

[crashdive123]

An ark..........

[Sarge47]

I started this thread waaaay back on November 23rd, 2007! That was over 4 years ago when the forum was still in it's infancy. It's had almost 70,000 hits and 378 responses at this time. :noway: Cool! :w00t:

[RangerXanatos]

An ark..........
Cruise ship
Really big matchbox
All you can eat buffet for carnivores

Yep. It's multipurpose...

[crashdive123]

Ummmm. It was in response to Noah's first post. I just thought with a screen name like that he was forgetting something.

[loki]

although for years duct tape ruled and aint knockin it a bit, however there's a new kid in town his name is gorilla tape and my fellow outdoorsmen there is not much of a comparison gorilla tape is the new rule in my book checkit out see for yourself/.

I have to second that, I used it for the first time at work last week and this stuff rocks.

[wholsomback]

Super glue=> for wound closure and fixes on broken items

[Rick]

While medical grade super glue works well, it's not something I take to the field with me. That's one of those products that if things go south you're in a real mess. If you puncture the tube or accidentally get some on your pack then touch it you're stuck. And something has to give to get loose. Either your pack or your skin. I keep that stuff at home where I have access to acetone. And trust me, it wouldn't be the first time I've had to use acetone.

[wholsomback]

Thats why you put it in a plastic medicine bottle for protection and from working on a many of commercial fishing vessles for weeks at a time there aren't any doctors around and wound closure is really important to prevent infections.

[BrianP]

Anything twisted to make a suture is a bad idea...the texture makes a breeding ground for bacteria. Try to only use monofilament for stitches, if you really want to suture.

[rednakel]

Vicks Vapo Rub. It feels nice on aching joints and muscles, relieves head cold symptoms, and works just as well as Vaseline on a cotton ball for fire starting.

[andre_lambert]

fish hooks, knife, cotton balls, cordage, magnifying lens...these are a few off the top of my head...fish hooks can be used as needles for clothes and your self as well as fishin'...cotton balls are great for wounds, cleaning weapons, starting fires...cordage can help make shelter, act as tourniquet, help in climbing, crossing rivers...magnifying lens can help you see , start fires, cuaterize wounds...

[andre_lambert]

corn chips, hatchet, fish line, grease,...these are a few more things with multi uses...you can eat corn chips and start fires, hatchet can chop trees for food and shelter and be used as a hammer or heated to cauterize wounds, fish line can catch food and use to suture wounds repair damaged clothes, grease can block sun and cold it can be used for cookin' and to pack wounds and start fires...

[jhnnymwr75]

One hour and a great thread, and the only thing I have to offer are tampons. Good for fire, purifying water (kinda), blowing coals, wounds, arrow fletchings and a water proof seal.

[grokh5499]

Vicks Vapo Rub. It feels nice on aching joints and muscles, relieves head cold symptoms, and works just as well as Vaseline on a cotton ball for fire starting.

Also stops mosquito bites from itching.

[Rick]

I completely missed this thread.

AL - You have got be kidding, right? You would NEVER cauterize a wound. That would give two injuries. A cut and a burn. You would never pack grease in a wound. In fact, you would never pack anything into a wound. There are times when a wound may need to be packed with gauze to prevent an abscess (healing outside but not inside) and to remove exudate (dead cells and fluid) until the wound heals. But let a doctor do the work.

I'm also curious how many wounds you've stitched up with fishing line?

I strongly urge you to take a qualified first aid course.

[Sarge47]

fish line can catch food and use to suture wounds repair damaged clothes...




http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTc1MDAwMDk2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNzQ2NzM2._V1._ SX348_SY450_.jpg






When I get a hold of the guy what did this to me....! :noway:

You can also use leeches and maggots for eating away infection! :w00t:

[Delta 5168]

Very good info Rick! Thanks! I had not thought of many of those. You mentioned permanganate and I have heard of this for a fire starter, antibiotic, water purifier. Where does one buy this? Anybody got a source?

Thanks!Hey, Doc! I Googled Potassium permanganate and found a place called The Chemical Store. I ordered a couple of small vials (appx 1/2 oz) for just a few bucks each. Good service. I carry these with Fleet glycerine ampoules for an alternate fire starter. Caution: Store/carry KMNO4 and glycerine as far separately as possible.

[frdgrss]

God Ilove this stuff

[Rick]

Medical grade maggots can be used for debriding necrotic skin. Leech therapy is used to promote blood flow to damaged tissue or re-attached appendages. Their saliva has an anti coagulant that increases blood flow and prevents clotting. They, too, are medical grade.

Delta - AdventureDoc hasn't logged on in 2 years. I doubt he'll see your post.

[hunter63]

So how do they get to be medical grade.......Med school?

I just try to just cover it and pack out to med attention, so don't carry this stuff.
If you don't know what you are doing you can do a lot more damage than if left alone.

Our old retired Navy Nurse, on duty at our factory when asked for advice......

If you can't see it give them an aspirin.....
If you can, wash it with soap and water, and put a bandaid on it.......
If it won't stop bleeding, apply direct pressure, and call 911
Above all "don't do harm'.

[Kamel]

I found a cigar cutter on the beach the other day. Its light and really sharp. So I think i may throw it in my pack, i guess if i ever lost a knife or something, i could use it to cut ropes, strike my ferrorod. i dont know really. just thought it would be out of the ordinary to have it in my pack and I dont smoke cigars so yah. may aswell

[Rick]

So how do they get to be medical grade.

First, they have to score well on their SATs. Then they have to take the MCAT their junior year in college. They should be involved in community and, finally, keep those grades up! Once they get accepted to a medical school they are on their way to medical grade.

[jhnnymwr75]

Another thing I would add is a Shemagh / keffiyeh but I guess it really just has the same use as a bandana. Just a bigger version.

[jfeatherjohn]

One of the things I don't think I saw mentioned is a hammock. I have used my hammock as a gill net, drug wood back to camp, camoed myself, carried water contsiners back from the creek, plus letting me sleep above ground when conditions warrent. I was quite surprised as these uses kept coming up; itd almost as usefull as my knife!

[jfeatherjohn]

I just bought a blowgun (Cold Steel .625 cal 4'). Bought it just to have fun with it.
It's got a standard walking.stick handle on the mouthpiece end.
I started doing some homework, and it seems very reasonable to believe tuat small game can be taken at 50-60 ft without practicing for competition.

So, I have a toy, a new walking stick, and something that might help feed me. When it arrives, I am going to practice.

[jfeatherjohn]

A knife with a fire starter, a camp stove that will charge your phone?
(taps microphone)..."Is this off, or is the room empty?"

[hunter63]

LOL, no not empty, but 403 posts to go thru to see if it's been brought up.....didn't get all the way thru....

But hey keep up the good work.

[jfeatherjohn]

I have another one...benzalkromium chloride. When we were kids, we knew it as merthiolate.
This stuff is antibacterial, antifungal AND antiviral.
You can swab this stuff on a herpes blister and it will heal.

[SurvivorMama]

From a field medic perspective I would prefer to thoroughly clean and flush the would, use antibiotics, and use the bag pieces to approximate the wound and tightly secure a bandage (if duct tape is not available to hold he wound edges together). Plastic bag filament is not vicryl nor prolene, after all.

[intothenew]

I assume the last statement means no suture?

To the first statement: I don't carry sterile saline wash unless I'm on the bike. On foot, I consider that too much to carry. Is that the flush? Do I boil, saline, and cool water? I need to carry wash premade, or sterile salts if that is the case. Is there time if that is the case? Am I missing something?

[jfeatherjohn]

I assume the last statement means no suture?

To the first statement: I don't carry sterile saline wash unless I'm on the bike. On foot, I consider that too much to carry. Is that the flush? Do I boil, saline, and cool water? I need to carry wash premade, or sterile salts if that is the case. Is there time if that is the case? Am I missing something?

There is a "medicine" area, here, but staying on topic...
Cephalexin (Keflex) is a good multi-use item; about the only thing it isn't good at are respiratory infections.
Paracord and sewing needles are good, because you can suture with one of those little cords and the needle.
For the record, I would suture only in the direst of circumstances, because I do not believe I can clean the wound adequately, hense I will suture infection into the wound. I carry steristrips.
Which is another multi-use item because they a great at repairing broken shoe laces...if you don't have any Krazy Glue.
etc...

[intothenew]

I would use the paracord for the broken laces, not for sutures.

[jfeatherjohn]

I don't have any boots that don't have paracord laces.
I know that many people do.

[rezmut]

My favorite multi use item-Everclear!

[LarryB]

Super glue=> for wound closure and fixes on broken items

Yup, been there once, works great. I keep my tiny tube in one of those cool little spy capsules as part of my EDC. :)

[Billy1342]

How many uses does a five gallon bucket have in the outdoors?

[hunter63]

How many uses does a five gallon bucket have in the outdoors?
Ok, I'll bite.....How many?

[Ken]

How many uses does a five gallon bucket have in the outdoors?


Ok, I'll bite.....How many?

Well, it depends....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g103X9Z3NO8

[crashdive123]

How many uses does a five gallon bucket have in the outdoors?

Three thousand eight hundred thirty nine.

[Rick]

But even more importantly, how much does a 5 gallon bucket hold?

[BENESSE]

But even more importantly, how much does a 5 gallon bucket hold?

8lbs of $hit?

[hunter63]

8lbs of $hit?

Depends how much sawdust is in with it.......
Holds enough old wheel weights that I can't pick it up without breaking the handle....usually about tailgate height.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/search.php?searchid=596665

[Ken]

Three thousand eight hundred thirty nine.

Can you list them for us? :innocent:

[gunaroo]

I saw superglue mentioned above (oops! just mentioned it for first aid in a new post) but duct tape! I have lots of it in my BOB and at the retreat!

[mistersir]

COTTON BALLS they make for great tinder and if you put a dab of patrolium jelly on it it will burns for an extra 45 seconds

[intothenew]

Not a dab, soak 'em. Fluff before spark, or use dry ball to strike. Nine minutes or better, they'll start drowning wet tinder.

[mistersir]

thanks for the correction

[rita_the_survivor]

rope. Never underestimate rope.

[Rick]

Jute, horse hair, hemp or other natural fibers. Not synthetic rope. You can use the natural stuff for all kinds of things. I'd be hard pressed to use synthetic for anything other than rope. Maybe someone else has some ideas.

[TheNorthernRanger]

Condoms can be used to store water in a pinch and don't take up much room at all. Unlubricated of course.

Edit: Never mind, guess someone beat me to it lol.

[Canoetripper]

Jute, horse hair, hemp or other natural fibers. Not synthetic rope. You can use the natural stuff for all kinds of things. I'd be hard pressed to use synthetic for anything other than rope. Maybe someone else has some ideas.

Synthetic rope be can melted to patch a hole in your canteen

[Catfishfiddler]

I would say my homemade alcohol stove. I didn't insulate it.
It can be:
Cup
Bowl
Reflector/signal mirror
As a side note the alcohol I use for fuel also has many purposes, esp if it's pure grain :drink:



Everything you carry is multi-use. The key is being flexible enough to find other purposes. Thinking outside the box is what makes a survivor (because an unsuccessful survivor is deceased, right?).

Sorry, just realized this has already been pointed out. My browser started me on page 22 instead of page 1....lol.

[hunter63]

Hunter 63 saying Hey and Welcome......the is a intro page at,

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?14-Introductions
I'm sure a lot of items have been brought up and discussed, but personally I don't see a problem with a reminder.....
I don't see a lot of people reading 22 pages...and will never say....It's been brought up.

[Catfishfiddler]

Hunter 63 saying Hey and Welcome......the is a intro page at,


I'm sure a lot of items have been brought up and discussed, but personally I don't see a problem with a reminder.....
I don't see a lot of people reading 22 pages...and will never say....It's been brought up.

Thank you..will slide over there to introduce.

[cptndv23]

trash bags are good for anything. im sure if you stacked and compressed like 100 of them then melted them u could get a crude shank once sharpened. el oh el

[Lamewolf]

Everytime I see a thread like this one I fail to see 2 things listed. Its impossible to leave them at home, but some are better than others. And I'm talking about you brain and your skills - they are the 2 most important tools you have. So make sure you are well trained and well practiced ! Gear can make things easier, but if you do not possess the training and skills to use your gear properly, then its all for naught.

[BENESSE]

Everytime I see a thread like this one I fail to see 2 things listed. Its impossible to leave them at home, but some are better than others. And I'm talking about you brain and your skills - they are the 2 most important tools you have. So make sure you are well trained and well practiced ! Gear can make things easier, but if you do not possess the training and skills to use your gear properly, then its all for naught.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but...if you don't have a brain, hard to work on those skills.

[Wildthang]

I have a roll of tie wire, like the kind you tie up rebar with, and it is one of the handiest things you can have for quick repairs. It is stronger than duct tape and Ty-Raps, and if you want it stronger you just use a few more wraps. And it is way cheaper than rope when you are tying together a shelter!

[aktrekker]

Since this thread is still going I thought I'd add a couple of things.

Hangers, the wire kind, have many uses.
Making shelter.
Hanging pots.
Holding snares in place.
Making a gig.
Awl.
Knitting needles.
Making a grill or spit (if you burn off the paint).

Also the new style pet food bags, the large plastic ones. They have a string mesh covered by plastic, much stronger than emergency blankets. If the ends are rolled up and clipped they make a completely waterproof bag.
Backpack.
Pillow/mattress.
Emergency rain wear.
Emergency tarp/shelter (using more than 1).
Foraging.
Storing water (several gallons).
Umbrella.
Waterproof cover for a pack.

[MItygrr]

Earlier someone asked about uses for fish hooks, other than fishing. Catching birds, carefully straightened; spear ends for frogs, snare sets for wire (small game), also for needles, as mentioned, but I'd rather use my needle. As for sutures, be sure you clean debris from wounds, but I carry silk thread, 90 proof alcohol in straws, and a suture thread. Have had the need before and Dr. Said I did well with it. Just remember if you need to stitch it, you need to cover it; and most importantly! Get medical attention as soon as possible! The worst thing you can do in that is spend a few bucks to have Dr. Say "good job!"

[Sunset Sam]

Deli meat container -- the kind which is a flat, two-piece, semi-hard plastic box. When closed they are pretty waterproof and light weight.

They are the right size to fit neatly in a backpack. I have several for things like an expanded sewing kit, topo maps holder, first aid items, firestarter/tinder box, small tool box (hex keys, small screwdriver, small crescent wrench), holder for packets of coffee, tea, salt and pepper and other seasonings),etc.

In an emergency, can be used to collect/carry/hold water.

Free, after eating the meat.

[Lil K]

I know this is cheating, but a multi-tool? :D

Mine includes a hammer, saw, shovel, pickaxe, and an axe. It all fits in a nice pouch and you what you do is replace one part for another on the handle. (It uses a pin and bolt system) Very helpful. Sorry I can't remember who it is made by.

[hunter63]

I know this is cheating, but a multi-tool? :D

Mine includes a hammer, saw, shovel, pickaxe, and an axe. It all fits in a nice pouch and you what you do is replace one part for another on the handle. (It uses a pin and bolt system) Very helpful. Sorry I can't remember who it is made by.

So how do you like this tool?....
Have seen them around, but have been afraid to spend any money on something that may or may not be the best tool for the job.

[Sunset Sam]

Attached is a compilation of this thread I have attempted. It is so long, I am attaching it as 2 txt files. Since I am new to the Forum and missed most of the original posts, I added a few suggestions and comments of my own along the way.

9969
9970

[hunter63]

Attached is a compilation of this thread I have attempted. It is so long, I am attaching it as 2 txt files. Since I am new to the Forum and missed most of the original posts, I added a few suggestions and comments of my own along the way.

9969
9970

Aw man...you gonna make us look thru all those files to see what you added?.....Pay back is a bee-ytch...LOL

Anyway, your soap box was a good summery....you might want to post that for the lazy people.

Thanks for posting.

[Rick]

I think you did an outstanding job summarizing the thread. I had to give you some rep for that.

[7whitewolf7]

It won't be as interesting just looking at the list though... :1:
reading all thew posts is half the fun :sleep:

[Lil K]

So how do you like this tool?....
Have seen them around, but have been afraid to spend any money on something that may or may not be the best tool for the job.

Sorry for the late reply.

It is quite nice to be honest, and it is a good size, too. Not too big, not too small and it all fits into 1 pouch. The tool uses a bolt and pin system, with a larger piece to tighten it down the specific tool. It's made by Rothco if you are familiar with the name. I believe it's about $15-20 depending on where you buy it. As for the tool itself, I've heard that Rothco can make some cheap stuff, but this tool has a good rep and is said to be very sturdy and durable over time.

Amazon link if you wanna look: http://www.amazon.com/Military-Style-5-In-1-Multi-Purpose/dp/B000PVV5RG

[hunter63]

Sorry for the late reply.

It is quite nice to be honest, and it is a good size, too. Not too big, not too small and it all fits into 1 pouch. The tool uses a bolt and pin system, with a larger piece to tighten it down the specific tool. It's made by Rothco if you are familiar with the name. I believe it's about $15-20 depending on where you buy it. As for the tool itself, I've heard that Rothco can make some cheap stuff, but this tool has a good rep and is said to be very sturdy and durable over time.

Amazon link if you wanna look: http://www.amazon.com/Military-Style-5-In-1-Multi-Purpose/dp/B000PVV5RG

Thanks for the link.

[welderguy]

Does that multi tool have a hollow handle? I may get one just because of that reason.

[Lil K]

Does that multi tool have a hollow handle? I may get one just because of that reason.

Indeed it does! :)

[hunter63]

Does that multi tool have a hollow handle? I may get one just because of that reason.

That way you can leave contact information in the handle to identify your remains when you RWTTW......LOL
Bazinga........

[Sgt. Duece]

5" vise grip. I have used it for everything from cooking to throttle linkage. It has saved my bacon more times than I can count.

[hayshaker]

good thing to know all this cause you might need these skills one day when it REALLY counts not just on
some weekend camping outing where at days end you go home to that soft bed and warm house.

[Zack]

I don't know if it was already posted or not, but I say a chisel. I keep one to three of them of various sizes in my daypack. That way I can split firewood, take fatwood and such out or off of trees, and many other tasks that may hurt a good quality knife.

[tallgrass]

Canned TUNA in Olive oil. 3 uses.

1. Poke a hole in the top, stick in a string wick and use it as a candle.
2. Eat the Tuna
3. Use the can for other uses

[tallgrass]

5" vise grip. I have used it for everything from cooking to throttle linkage. It has saved my bacon more times than I can count.

Good one. I used vise grips as a hand throttle on my 70 Scout. Used that way for about a year until i traded it in. The car salesman tried to reject it as a trade but i prevailed.

[tallgrass]

Plastic 2 liter bottles to make a Minnow trap.

[tallgrass]

I like those Blue 55 gallon trash bags. Emergency shelter in moments.

[News]

Hello all, I am new here. :)

[Wise Old Owl]

serious crap
everytime I click on your link, I get redirected to Laptops I would never buy

[hunter63]

serious crap
everytime I click on your link, I get redirected to Laptops I would never buy

What??????????

[crashdive123]

serious crap
everytime I click on your link, I get redirected to Laptops I would never buy

What the heck are you talking about - what link?

[primitiveskills]

A slightly curved and shaped ash sapling roughly one inch in diameter tapering to roughly 3/4 inch at the tapered end which is shaped like the hull of a cigar boat. By casual observation a simple "stick".

-Bow for Friction Fire
-Atl all dart launcher
-Digging Stick for food and water
-Navigation Aid
-Tracking Tool
- Hide ringing tool for the tanning process
-Tool for sharing eight angles of traditional knife and stick fighting methods
-Pointer
-Fire poker

[Rick]

If it's 10 foot long then it's that stick most women wouldn't use to touch me.

[BENESSE]

If it's 10 foot long then it's that stick most women wouldn't use to touch me.

That's because we've learned a frying pan is much more effective.

[kyratshooter]

Yep that frying pan will fry, sauté, boil, bake and act as a self defense tool.

I can see Rick with LODGE impressed across his forehead!

[Rick]

On my toes, too. Never drop one. Just sayin'.

[NightSG]

15.) Expedient weapon. :eek:(not sure who posted that one.)

When I lived in Dallas, several of us that lived ~250 yards from Albertson's would walk instead of drive, because driving you had to go a mile the wrong way to get to the turnaround lane, whereas walking you could just go straight there. We would often shop at night, and the general practice for passing the corner of a shady neighborhood that abutted ours was to have one bag with just one canned item in it, carried in the dominant hand. One of the girls actually had occasion to use that single-use flail on some punk, and it was devastating.

[Rick]

Just don't try that carrying sponges. Just sayin'...

[BENESSE]

Carrying a lot of change in a sock works just as well. :6:

[NightSG]

Carrying a lot of change in a sock works just as well. :6:

More likely to be seen as a weapon. A can of pork and beans in a grocery bag is just plain old groceries.

Besides, there's got to be some extra shaming available for a guy who gets his clock cleaned with ten ounces of sweet peas.

[NightSG]

https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Stainless-Straight-Barber-Professional/dp/B003BRQ36O/

I prefer Derby blades for actual shaving, but I ended up with most of a box of Sharks that I didn't want to just throw out. They're individually paper-wrapped, tiny enough to fit anywhere, and wedged into a slotted stick, make a sharper knife than you're going to be able to come up with almost any other way. Break one in half and you can make a serious broadhead. A couple dozen of them take up less space in the kit than a matchbook, so you'd have a good supply of spares, too.

Another option would be a scalpel handle and a big pack of blades; usually for a few bucks on eBay or Amazon you can get a #3 handle and 50+ blades. #15C blades are my personal preference for cutting out splinters or lancing anything, though a variety might be best. #40 is pretty much a ready made small arrowhead, and 23, 24 or 25 would make a good drill point.

[hunter63]

Carrying a lot of change in a sock works just as well. :6:

That's a flashback for me......Guy paid for his paper with change from a sock, when I was a kid paperboy.....LOL

Later, a cartoon in our local paper called "Crankshaft"....old guy did the same thing with a sock full of pennies.
Often wondered if that writer was in my head....lot's of parallels.

Purses can be lethal as well.

[outdoorfan]

Amazing, these (some of these) will be with me on my next adventure!
In case no one mentioned this for duct tape (I'm sure someone has)... it has saved me couple times from getting super blistered in longer-than-expected walks. Once I feel any warm spots on my feet, I just tape the area and it keep going. No blisters, happy feet.
Thanks

[jayd]

Duct tape, especially for the Alone show. Then the gaiters that are just sitting in the corner can be used to carry a couple of gallons of water, and take only 10 minutes each to arrange (to include carrying strap). Instead of taking all day to whittle a wooden bottle that holds one cup of water). :-) Rain pants can hold a lot more water, just tie off the top and bottom of each leg. Your legs get wet anyway, so the pants might as well be utilized for something else that's of value.

[Shane Montana]

Ironically, I just wrote an article about this topic. Everything I listed has been listed here except flammable snack chips such as fritos and doritos which are great for getting a fire started quickly, even in wet conditions, and paper towels for TP, wound dressing, filtering sediment from water, note paper, etc. I also prefer smaller diameter and tensile strength paracord than 550. 550 is more bulky than most survival situations call for. In my opinion, 325 paracord is the best choice. It has a tensile strength of 325 lbs and a diameter of 2mm - half the bulk as 550. 50 is 4mm dia. with a tensile strength of 550lbs. If a situation does happen to require heavier cord than 325, simply use multiple lengths. I also would ommit the trash bags. I have multiple sized ziplocs, a sheet of 6-mil black plastic and a space blanket - don't need a trash bag.

[kyratshooter]

Nope, take the garbage bag too. They have too many uses to leave behind, especially when paired with the also mentioned duct tape.

I use the 4 mil, 40 gallon contractors bags and have changed all my emergency tape supplies to Gorilla tape.

[pete lynch]

I don't use paracord much,either. I like #36 or heavier bank line.

[JohnLeePettimore]

Ironically, I just wrote an article about this topic. Everything I listed has been listed here except flammable snack chips such as fritos and doritos which are great for getting a fire started quickly, even in wet conditions, and paper towels for TP, wound dressing, filtering sediment from water, note paper, etc. I also prefer smaller diameter and tensile strength paracord than 550. 550 is more bulky than most survival situations call for. In my opinion, 325 paracord is the best choice. It has a tensile strength of 325 lbs and a diameter of 2mm - half the bulk as 550. 50 is 4mm dia. with a tensile strength of 550lbs. If a situation does happen to require heavier cord than 325, simply use multiple lengths. I also would ommit the trash bags. I have multiple sized ziplocs, a sheet of 6-mil black plastic and a space blanket - don't need a trash bag.

How's Hannah?

I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it.

[kyratshooter]

I don't use paracord much,either. I like #36 or heavier bank line.

I have changed my preferences to use of a lot of bank line also. It is cheaper and easier to obtain than 550 cord.

Just the other day I was thinking back to my days when survival could be doubtful and it occurred to me that we did not have a lot of paracord floating around and no one was carrying spools or hanks of rolled up 550 cord.

What we used were boot laces for our combat boots. Everyone had a spare set of those, and they were over 6 feet long.

We also had communications wire. Steel and copper threads of wire running inside a plastic cover and it was used for everything that 550 cord is now used for. Besides operating the telephones it was used to lash poles for frameworks, hang hammocks, tie people up, set off explosives and all manner of things 550 cord can not even dream of doing. I once saw an improvised fan belt on a vehicle made from como-wire. I have also seen it used to replace those combat boot laces so the real laces could be used for something else. Everybody carried a small roll of como-wire in their gear much like we carry bank line or 550 cord today. I found out that como-wire was what held the infantry together and had done so since WW1 when it was invented.

Come to think about it, I had never seen a piece of 550 cord until I was in the military. I had grown up in the woods without the stuff. Of course I had never seen como-wire used as we used it either.

Until I was in my 20s lashings needed for roaming the woods and fields and fishing included only heavy cotton twine, various weights of fishing line and whatever light rope one could find, which was often packaged and marketed as clothesline rope!

We also had bailing twine. Miles and miles of bailing twine. I have a roll in the shed outside right now. It will do most of what 550 cord will do, although it is not as durable, and costs $10 for a mile of the stuff.

[Steven1919]

Alcohol
Trash holders
Shaving foam

[davidradio]

Look forward to it. Thanks. Or maybe a blog entry.

[Rick]

Sadly, Sarge isn't with us any longer but feel free to list any items you wish.

[kl0an]

OK, I know that there's some of you who don't care for the Military MREs, but what can you find in the MRE package that helps in a Survival situation BESIDES the obvious Food & drink?:confused:

Reminds me of the MRE Dinner Date:

I had a date the other night at my place. On the phone the day before, the girl asked me to "Cook her something she's never had before" for dinner. After many minutes of scratching my head over what to make, I finally settled on something she has DEFINITELY never eaten. I got out my trusty case of MRE's. Meal, Ready-to-Eat.

Field rations that when eaten in their entirety contain 3000+ calories Here's what I made:

I took three of the Ham Slices out of their plastic packets, took out three of the Pork Chops, three packets of Chicken-a-la-King and eight packets of dehydrated butter noodles and some dehydrated/rehydrated rice.

I cooked the Ham Slices and Pork Chops in one pan, sauted in shaved garlic and olive oil.

In another pot, I blended the Chicken a-la-king, noodles and rice together to make a sort of mush that looked suspiciously like succotash. I added some spices and blended everything together in a glass pan that I then cooked in the oven for about 35 minutes at 450 degrees.

When I took it out, it looked like, well, ham slices, pork chops and a bed of yellow poop. I covered the tops of the meat in the MRE cheese (kinda like Velveeta) and added some green sprinkly things from one of my spice cans (hey, if it's got green sprinkly things on it, it looks fancy right?)

For dessert, I took four MRE Pound Cakes, mashed 'em up, added five packets of cocoa powder, powdered coffee cream and some water. I heated it up and stirred it until it looked like a sort of chunky gelatinous organism and I sprinkled powdered sugar on top of it.

For alcoholic drinks, I took the rest of my bottle of Military Special Vodka (yes, they DO make a type of liquor named "Military Special" -- it sells for $4.35 per fifth) and mixed in four packets of "Electrolytes - 1 each - Cherry flavored" (I swear, the packet says that). It looked like an eerie kool-aid with sparkles in it (that was the electrolytes I guess... could've been leftover sand from Egypt).

I lit two candles, put a vase of wildflowers in the middle and set the table with my best set of Ralph Lauren Academy-series China (that stuff is damned EXPENSIVE... my set of 8 place settings cost me over $600) and put the alcoholic drink in a crystal wine decanter.

She came over and I had some appetizers already made, of MRE spaghetti-with-meatballs, set in small cups. She saw the dinner, saw the food and said "This looks INCREDIBLE!!!"

We dug in and she was loving the food. Throughout the meal, she kept asking me how long it took me to make it and kept remarking that I obviously knew a thing or two about cooking fine meals. She kind of balked at the makeshift "wine" I had set out, but after she tried it I guess she liked it because she drank four glasses during dinner.

At the end of the main course, when I served the dessert, she squealed with delight at the "Chocolate mousse" I had made. Huh? Chocolate what? Okay... yeah... its Chocolate Moose. Took me HOURS to make... yup.

Later on, as we were watching a movie, she excused herself to use my restroom. While she was in there, I heard her say softly to herself "uh oh" and a resounding but petite poot punctuated her utterance of dismay.

Let the games begin.

She sprayed about half a can of air freshener (Air Freshener, 1 each, Orange scent. Yup. The Army even makes smellgood) and returned to the couch, this time with an obvious pained look.

After 10 more minutes she excused herself again and retreated to the bathroom for the second time. I could hear her say "What the hell is WRONG with me???," as she again send flatulent shockwaves into the porcelain bowl. This time, they sounded kinda wet and I heard the toilet paper roll being employed and again, LOTS more air freshener.

Back to the couch. She smiles meekly as she decides to sit on the chair instead of next to me. She sits on my chair, knees pulled up to her chest, kind of rocking back and forth slightly. Suddenly, without a word, she ROCKETED up and FLEW to the bathroom, slammed the door, and didn't come out for 30 minutes.

I turned the movie up because I didn't want her to hear me laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my cheeks.

She came out with a slightly gray pallor to her face and said "I am SOOOOOO sorry. I have NO idea what is wrong with me. I am so embarrassed, I can't believe I keep running to your bathroom!!" I gave her an Imodium AD and she finally settled down and relaxed.

Later on, she asked me again what I had made for dinner, because she had enjoyed it so much. I calmly took her into the kitchen and showed her all the used MRE bags and packets in the trash can.

After explaining to her that she had eaten roughly 9,000 calories of "Army food" she turned stark white, looked at me incredulously and said "I ate 9,000 calories of dehydrated food that was made 3 years ago?" After I concurred, she grabbed her coat and key, and took off without a word.

She called me yesterday. Seems she couldn't go for 3 days and when she finally did, the smell was so bad, her roommate could smell it from down the hall. She also told me she had been working out nonstop to combat the high caloric intake and that she never wanted me to cook dinner for her again, unless she was PERSONALLY there to inspect the food beforehand.

It was a fun date. She laughed about it eventually and said that that was the first time she'd ever crapped in a guy's house on a date. She'd been so upset by it she was in tears in the bathroom while I had been in tears on the couch.

[crashdive123]

That joke has been on line for over 16 years. If you're going to copy and paste somebody else's words you should give attribution as it keeps the forum out of hot water over plagiarism charges.

[kl0an]

Why not just take a minute and put in the credits for it instead on taking a moment to jump on a member because they made a mistake.

Don't worry though, you won't have to do that to my posts anymore.

I think I finally see why this forum has more crickets than active members..

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Must be some badazz crickets is all I can figure....

Alan

[crashdive123]

Why not just take a minute and put in the credits for it instead on taking a moment to jump on a member because they made a mistake.

Don't worry though, you won't have to do that to my posts anymore.

I think I finally see why this forum has more crickets than active members..

This is a public forum and as such may fall under the scrutiny of others with regards to plagiarism. You say it was a mistake - fair enough, but you had to copy and paste it from somewhere. It is not the job of the moderators here to research and give accredidation to your writings. That is on you.

Just so that you know (because we all know you will be back to look at this) your banning was because of deleting all of your past posts. It disrupts the flow of any forum when that happens, so I stopped it from continuing --- and I will restore your past posts when I have time.

One last thing. This is a forum, not an airport. No need to announce your departure. Just leave, go elsewhere and be happy.

[Michael aka Mac]

I am reading this thread page by page and you guys are going to the next items way way too prematurely.
I am only going to touch base on aonly a few of the many many things that were not mentioned with regard to GARBAGE BAGS

1st aid: tourniquet, cold compress (filled with stream water), strips of it combined with branches and duct tape to make a splint, a sling for your arm , eye patch, preventative 1st aid: to be used to waterproof your shoes or socks to prevent Trench Foot

Colored bags: orange or red can be used to make a hot air balloon for signaling for rescue, putting strips on path to show where u have been used as markers, clear bags can be filled with water for SODIS solar "water" disinfection and drinkable within 6 hours.

Weapons for gathering food: used to make a Bolo, to make a Mace, filled with some small rocks or sand to make a hand held weighted weapon with 1-2 foot reach, used to make snares

Black garbage bags when filled with water and left in the sun turns it into a solar water heater, for a nice warm shower.

Can be used instead of an innertube for a bicycle tire, can be used to seal up a car tire that has a nail stuck in it, pushing the bag like you would a tire hole plug.


you literally can list pages and pages of other uses for all these items if you think outside of the box. Bandanas not only can be used to filter water, but it can be used as a siphon. Water in a stump you want to collect, twist the bandana to look like a rope, stick one end into the stump filled with water the other end into your canteen and when you come back the wicking nature of the bandana will draw all the water from the stump into the canteen. This also works with fuel and with rope (non synthetic)
Use the Bandana to make charred cloth. Wet the bandana to use as a bandage for burned victims, strips of it to make shoe laces or for latching gear. As an eye patch. A wet bandana strengthens the fibers allowing you to use it with a branch, to bend the bars of a metal gate.

[EagleScout111]

1. Line sides of wound so you don't have to sew yourself up https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1c/1f/0f/1c1f0f40dee260726b52b5aa0ea901f4.jpg
Ontop of this there are obvioustly tons of medical uses like making splints, slings, ghetto mole skin for blisters, and bandages
2. Arrow Fletching
3. Patching Tarps
4. Making Cord
5. Marking Trails
6. Bright Duct Tape can be used to signal for rescue
7. I saw someone make a canoe with duct tape once
8. You can use it to hold tinder together while starting a fire
9. Possibly make a snare???
10. I mean worse case scenerio you could patch some ducts too

[Alanaana]

-nail clippers
-floss
-steel wool
-tarpaulin
-screwdriver
-alcohol
-hydrogen peroxide
-honey

[Winter]

-nail clippers
-floss
-steel wool
-tarpaulin
-screwdriver
-alcohol
-hydrogen peroxide
-honey

What are the multiple uses of hydrogen peroxide?

[RangerXanatos]

What are the multiple uses of hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide will degrade in light (why its always sold in a brown opaque bottle) to be water.
It can be used to induce vomiting.
Mouth wash (I use it for this and have lots of compliments on my teeth)
I use it in our water system quite a bit. After bleaching the well and running it through the pipes, hydrogen peroxide can help neutralize the bleach. I also pour it into the water heater when replacing the anode rod to kill any sulfur-reducing bacteria.
And of course wound care.

I’m not saying it’s the best at those things I posted, but it works in a pinch. There are better alternatives in some cases.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

How much do you use in the water heater... I am in a battle to the death with SRB...

Alan

[Winter]

.

Thanks for the info.

[RangerXanatos]

How much do you use in the water heater... I am in a battle to the death with SRB...

Alan

it doesn't take much really. I take the anode off and drain a little bit from the bottom and then pour some in. Even if you pour in a whole bottle it shouldn't hurt anything, just be overkill.

I also have two in-line water filters under the house. When I change the filters, I fill the canisters with hydrogen peroxide and then run the hot water first to try to make sure some goes in the water heater.

If you haven't replaced it before, the anode rod can be a bugger to remove the first time. All of them take a 1 1/16" socket. Get a deep impact socket and at least a breaker bar. I had to have an addition pipe for even more leverage. I also had to have my brother hold the water heater to keep it from turning. The last time, I was able to do it by myself and without the additional pipe. The last time, I used an aluminum anode rod that come in links. Just measure it to the previous rod and cut off any excess. Changing the rod itself should help with the SRB.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

My plumber removed the anode rod... didn't help. I need to do the filter thing though... don't know that I'll fill it up though. The filter holds at least a gallon and a half of water. My filter is upstream of my softener... Will that negate the sanitizing effects?

Alan

[RangerXanatos]

From what I’ve read, it shouldn’t hurt it. In fact, I read that it’s recommended for cleaning your system to remove any types of buildup and also to disinfect.

[Michael aka Mac]

What are the multiple uses of hydrogen peroxide?

Cleaning Cuts,
Earwax removal
Mouth: Swollen Gums. Canker Sores. Whiten Teeth (esp w/ baking soda 50/50)
Face: Acne.
Disinfectant for surfaces, wounds, knives, cooking area.

to induce vomiting

Hair dye, clothing

[Michael aka Mac]

Most used multi-tool though that I own is my SAK SwissChamp12138

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