If there was ever a miracle product better than spray-on-hair or shampoo, it’s duct tape. Over the past 70 years of its existence, this staple product of fix-it-yourselves has been used in nearly every walk of life for jobs that I’m sure the duct tape developers never even imagined. So how can we use it to survive?
Here are my top 25 survival uses duct tapeNot in any order.
1. Repairing a cracked water bottle or punctured hydration reservoir.
A small strip of duct tape is the next best thing as a bandage for any damaged water container, including water bladders. Simply dry the surface before attempting to tape your patch in place, most types of duct tape do not stick to wet surfaces.
2. Fletching survival arrow.
Tear off some 5-inch pieces, and stick the long edge of one piece to the shaft of the arrow, fold the tape lengthwise, and stick the other long edge of that piece to the arrow. Repeat this process once or twice; Trim the blades to shape with your knife; And you will have a useful fletching arrow.
3.Butterfly stripes.
Cut two small strips of duct tape, and add a smaller strip across their center (sticky side to sticky side) to create a temporary butterfly suture.
4. Make string.
Fold one or several lengths of duct tape into a cord or rope.
5. Make a hole in the canoe.
I wouldn’t trust my life to it, but it’s been done more than once.
6. Fashion a belt.
When you’re starving in the woods, and your pants start falling down, put a piece of duct tape through your belt loop and stick it to the front. Overlap it about 4 or 5 inches and you’ll be able to separate the belt when nature calls.
7. First aid sling.
Fold one length of duct tape in the middle, so that it is half the original width and the sticky side is not exposed. Use the strap to make a sling for the torn arm.
Connected: best first aid kit
8. Leave a note.
Write on it with a Sharpie, or use strips to make letters.
9. Handcuff option.
If someone is taking action during a survival emergency, you can tape their hands together around a tree to prevent them from becoming a danger to themselves or others.
10. Fix shoes and clothes.
If you have enough duct tape you can skip sewing class.
11. Get your glasses repaired.
The tape on your glasses looks a little dodgy to me, but at least you’ll still be able to see.
12. Attach the shelter element.
Just a few garbage bags and some duct tape, and you have a survival shelter roof, or sleeping bag cover, or wind break, or…
13. Attach survival gear.
Tape a spark rod to the side of your knife’s sheath, and you’ll always have a back-up fire source.
14. Make a hat.
If you believe what you see on TV, the “Mythbusters” guys have done pretty well. duct tape hat On a recent episode.
15. Fix the straps.
Place a sterile dressing over your wound and secure it with duct tape. Hopefully you don’t have a lot of hair where you got hurt.
16. Fix your rain gear.
Keep dry stuff dry and water out by mending your torn rain gear with some straps.
17. Make a drinking cup.
Some creative folding and gluing can produce a cup that you can drink from.
18. Make a spear.
Tie your knife to a pole and you’ll have a trusty spear to fend off animals, or add it to your dinner.
19. Blister care.
Cover the blistered area with a little cotton gauze and place tape over the cotton. Make sure the duct tape completely covers the cotton and does not touch the blister at all.
20. Mark a mark.
Use it to shine a mark or signal for protection, especially if yours is duct tape. Brightly colored or reflective.
21. Make emergency repairs on your bug out vehicle.
Leaky hoses and windows that won’t stay up don’t stand a chance against the repair powers of duct tape.
22. Put feathers in your sleeping bag.
If there’s a hole in your bottom sleeping bag, feathers will come out faster than a politician’s excuse. Patch the hole with duct tape.
23. Keep your tent closed.
A damaged zipper can leave your tent door flapping in the wind. Keep doors closed, and keep insects and critters out.
24. Bandaging one leg.
A broken ankle or foot can be immobilized with adequate splint material, padding, and duct tape. Pad the crotch of a thorny branch with some cloth and duct tape to make a quick crutch to go with your splint.
25. Split a broken tent pole or fishing pole.
By sticking a stick on a broken area of your tent pole or fishing rod, you can get one last adventure out of it.
For more survival tips, check out author’s book, “Outdoor Life: The Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual: 272 Wilderness Skills.”
