In a crisis, creativity can be your greatest asset. Everyday items can transform into essential survival tools when you know how to repurpose them.
Using old bottles as makeshift water filters or converting shoelaces into fishing lines can turn ordinary objects into lifesavers. Understanding how to adapt what you already have not only boosts your resourcefulness but can also be the key to your survival during emergencies.
Practical uses for common items that you might not think twice about highlight their potential in critical situations. By showcasing these innovative solutions, we aim to empower readers to think outside the box and be prepared for whatever challenges may come their way.
1) Plastic Bottles as Water Filters
Turn a plastic bottle into a life-saving water filter. Cut off the bottom, put a hole in the cap, layer it with pebbles, sand, charcoal, cotton, paper napkins, or a coffee filter, and pour water through to clean it. It’s not my first choice for accessing clean water, but in a pinch, this kind of DIY filter will remove many particles from the water, at which point you could boil the water or use other purification methods to make it safe to drink.
2) Duct Tape for Medical Emergencies
Use duct tape for more than just repairs; it’s a medical must-have. Duct tape can be used to hold bandages in place, create a makeshift cast, or even to cover blisters. Every prepper worth their salt has a good supply of duct tape squirreled away.
3) Aluminum Foil as a Signal Mirror
Aluminum foil can also save your life if you need help and are without other means of communication. Shine it up and use it as a signal mirror to reflect sunlight and signal for help.
4) Shower Curtains as Shelter
Keep an old shower curtain; it’s perfect for emergency shelter. Use it to collect rainwater, as a waterproof ground cover, or as a wind block.
5) Coffee Filters for Pre-Filtering Water
Coffee filters are great for pre-filtering water before purifying it. They can remove larger particles and help make water treatment easier and more effective.
6) Shoelaces as Fishing Lines
Use shoelaces as an emergency fishing line. They are strong enough to hold small fish and can be used with improvised hooks.
7) Tin Cans as Cooking Pots
Repurpose tin cans as cooking pots or for boiling water. Clean them well and remove any labels before use.
8) T-Shirts as Bandages
Old T-shirts can be torn into strips and used as bandages. They can also be used to filter out sediments from water before boiling.
9) Chips as Fire Starters
The oil in chips makes them excellent fire starters. A small pile of chips can burn long enough to help ignite larger pieces of wood.
10) Pantyhose for Food Gathering
Pantyhose can be used to gather and store foods like nuts and berries and to strain sediments from water.
11) Plastic Bags as Insulation
In cold weather, stuff plastic bags with leaves or newspaper for extra insulation. You can also place them inside your clothing to keep warm.
12) Cardboard as Fire Starter
Cardboard makes a great fire starter. Tear it into strips and light it to help start your fire.
13) Bottle Caps as Mini Candles
Melt wax into metal bottle caps to make tiny emergency candles. They’re small and easy to carry and provide light when needed.
14) Forks as Fish Hooks
Bend forks to create homemade fish hooks. This can be a vital food source in survival situations.
15) Wine Corks as Fishing Bobbers
Turn wine corks into fishing bobbers. Attach them to your fishing line to keep your hook afloat and visible.
38 Things Every Prepper Should Stockpile That Aren’t Water, Food, or Weapons
This list extends beyond the basic survival trio of water, food, and weapons. It’s a given that we need to stock up on water, food, and a way to defend ourselves and what we have. But what other things will you need in a survival situation? None of us truly knows what TEOTWAWKI will really look like, although most of us have theories we think most likely. But whatever the situation is, there are certain supplies that it just makes sense to have on hand, aside from the obvious trio I mentioned above.
25 Winter Foraging Foods to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
With food prices going up by 15% from October 2021 to October 2023, finding ways to cut down your grocery bills is more important than ever. Winter foraging is an awesome way to add to your pantry for free. Yes, you get free food in the form of wild edibles, but it’s also fun for the whole family, gets you moving, and reconnects you with nature.
Even though foraging in winter seems hard compared to the bounty of late summer, there’s still plenty out there if you know where to look. Plus, if things do go south, you need to know how to get wild foods to survive when there are no old-world supplies to access.
23 Smart Ways to Preserve Food
Preserving food is an art as much as it is a science, tapping into our ancestral roots and addressing modern needs. Whether you’re looking to avoid waste, prepare for leaner times, or simply enjoy the fruits of your labor year-round, these 23 smart methods will guide you through. I’m a huge fan of preserving things I find on sale, gluts of produce from my homestead, or produce I’ve bartered with someone else.
