The interest in preparing for disasters has become an international phenomenon. While the idea has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, prepping has seen huge growth since Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, when people saw or lived through it. Many take a very serious, elaborate approach to prepping. The supplies and equipment are extensive and, at times, can seem to set the bar pretty high. Fear not, mild prepper! There are things even the most unprepared prepper can do in an emergency. These are 10 survival hacks and are great to use in a pinch!
10 Survival Hacks – Easy Solutions
In survival situations, having a fire is critical. It allows us to cook, purify water, and stay warm. The challenge is finding fire starters to get things rolling. One of the best kindling/fire starters is Doritos. Tasty, crunchy, and flammable. Sprinkle a few into your fire pit with other fuel, then light it. It will burn for quite a while and act as a good starter for larger fires.
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Need to do some fishing, but have no hooks? Not a problem! You can clip the side off of a soda pop top and tie a string to it. By filing it a bit or simply rubbing it on a rough rock, you can sharpen the top and turn it into an effective fishhook.
Lighting
The need for lighting during emergencies is essential. The challenge is battery life and possibly getting caught without your super-ninja-power prepper flashlight. What to do in the meantime? Surprisingly enough, crayons can be used as short-term candles. The paper sleeve around the crayon acts as a wick, and it burns quite well.
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One of the staples we plan to have during rough times is dry goods like rice and beans. The problem is that the bags that come in are often torn, and we lose our precious food. A hack for this is to store them in 2–liter soda bottles, which are made from much thicker plastic and offer an air-tight seal. Great long-term storage!
Battery Hack
It is difficult to keep batteries for every device you may come across in an emergency. One of the most frustrating events is having AAA batteries but an AA device. You can use AAA batteries in place of AA batteries by simply balling up some aluminum foil to fill the gap in the battery compartment. Both put out the same volts and should work fine in simple things, like flashlights and radios.
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Looking for a long-term candle? Well, look no further than your pantry. By plugging a wick into a can of Crisco, you can create a long-term candle. It produces as much light as a traditional candle but burns very slowly, so it can last a long time.
There are countless ways to start a fire. Exotic tools and almost magical techniques abound. One of the simplest ways is to use your eyeglasses. By focusing them onto a piece of paper or dry material, it acts like a magnifying glass and will kick up a flame in no time!
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Impromptu Candle
If you are looking for a portable candle that can be reused, then grab yourself an Altoid tin. Cut corrugated cardboard and cover it with anything flammable. This can be oil, paraffin wax, etc. To use it, simply open it and light it. The perks are twofold. First, you can close the lid to save it for further use, and it can act as a hand warmer!
Rope is one of the items on survival lists that rarely gets the attention it needs. You can make survival rope from any fibrous plant, such as yucca or cat tail. By carefully pulling the “threads” down on the plant, you can collect them and then braid them together. You can then even link these constructed pieces together to create longer ropes. Great to have in an emergency.
If you are in need of a lantern to better focus your candlelight, then look no further than a soda can. Cut a line down the side of the can, and add two more lines at the top and bottom. You are creating a barn door-style opening. Open the two “doors” and slip your candle in. The can will help direct the light and produce a little heat.
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10 Survival Hacks
The ability to improvise during an emergency can mean the difference between suffering and riding it out with at least a semblance of comfort. While not a perfect solution, survival hacks should be a part of every person’s survival repertoire.
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