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8 Outdoor Survival Hacks Using Everyday Items

Being prepared for the worst is vital for survival. Check out these outdoor survival hacks, and make sure you have a backup plan when technology fails you.

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2019

Wayne Sanders

Featured | Adventure camping man cooking alone outdoors with tent, sunrise and lens flare in the mountain morning sunlight | Outdoor Survival Hacks Using Everyday Items

Know and keep these outdoor survival hacks and take the upper hand in any survival situation!

In this article:

Convert a Can of Tuna into a Lamp
From Crayons to Candles
Turn a Can into a Lamp
Use a Durable Stick to Carry More Water Gallons in One Trip
Make Fish Hooks Out of Can Tabs
Use a Piece of Cloth as a Simple Water Filter
Make a Mini Stove Out of Soda Cans
Use Plants to Repel Mosquitoes and Other Pests

Contents hide

1 Outdoor Survival Hacks and Tips You Need to Know

1.1 1. Convert a Can of Tuna into a Lamp

1.2 2. From Crayons to Candles

1.3 3. Turn a Can into a Lamp

1.4 4. Use a Durable Stick to Carry More Water Gallons in One Trip

1.5 5. Make Fish Hooks Out of Can Tabs

1.6 6. Use a Piece of Cloth as a Simple Water Filter

1.7 7. Make a Mini Stove Out of Soda Cans

1.8 8. Use Plants to Repel Mosquitoes and Other Pests

Outdoor Survival Hacks and Tips You Need to Know

1. Convert a Can of Tuna into a Lamp

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Jab a hole on top of the can, then measure two-by-five inches on a piece of paper. Next, roll the paper into a wick and insert it into the hole you made.

Allow the wick to absorb the oil before lighting it up. This improvised tuna can lamp will provide two hours of illumination.

2. From Crayons to Candles

Just light up a crayon and you have an instant candle to last you for 30 minutes. Marvel at this featured video on how you can make an improvised candle from a crayon—one of the crazy survival hacks which actually works.

3. Turn a Can into a Lamp

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Draw a big letter “I” on the side of the can before cutting it up with a razor. Open up the flaps of the can then set a lighted tea candle or a shorter candle inside the bottom of the can.

The light emitted by the candle reflects on the insides of the can, plus you can use the tab as a hanger. These are only a few of the survival and smart uses for soda cans.

4. Use a Durable Stick to Carry More Water Gallons in One Trip

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Place each water gallon alternately opposite each other before inserting the stick. This will save you more trips from Point A to Point B.

5. Make Fish Hooks Out of Can Tabs

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Using a pair of scissors or a blade cut a small portion on the outside bottom part of the tab. When done it will look like a small letter “e”.

6. Use a Piece of Cloth as a Simple Water Filter

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With a piece of cloth and two containers, you can rid dirty water of dirt and debris. Fill one container with the dirty water and place it just a little bit higher than the empty container.

Twist the piece of cloth lick a wick then place one end in the container with the dirty water and the other end in the empty container. Overtime the now filtered water will pass through the cloth and fill the empty container while the debris and dirt will be left in the other.

Boiling the filtered water is still necessary to free it from contaminants and only then would it be safe to drink.

7. Make a Mini Stove Out of Soda Cans

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You’ll need two bottom parts of soda or beer cans, denatured alcohol, a penny, a puncher or any solid pointed object. You will also need a blade or scissors and a piece of cloth or fiberglass as a filler.

Last but not least is a heat resistant sealant then you’re good to go. Check out this article for the details and step-by-step guide.

8. Use Plants to Repel Mosquitoes and Other Pests

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Just sprinkle some basil herbs or drop some rosemary leaves on the camp or cooking fire. The bugs/mosquitoes can't stand the smell creating an invisible net around you for a good night's sleep.

This is one of the clever survival hacks you can use for life.

This video from MAD Science Hacks will show you this match life hack you can use for survival or camping:

Preparing for the worst lets you have an advantage in survival. Remember these outdoor survival hacks, and make sure you have a backup plan when technology fails you.

These are just a few of the outdoor survival life hacks which might just increase your chances in surviving the outdoors. Learn these survival tips and hacks because you'll never know when you might need them.

Which of these outdoor survival hacks have you tried before? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

Up Next:

For more awesome SHTF survival items you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.***

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 31, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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Genius

July 28, 2019 at 4:28 PM

Hi, Me and some others are looking for a forum (escaping SHTFplan site) that is free speech and uncensored. Macs site has gone way downhill and we just want a place where we can speak freely and that has relevant articles. A lot of knowledgable people there and ya… we can get carried away sometimes lol. Might this be the site we are looking for?

Reply
- Genius
  
  July 28, 2019 at 4:40 PM
  
  Some of us are not politically correct at all be warned. Some of us are off gridders and farmers and a mix of people. For instance I have a lot of solar experience and have off grid place for 23 years. We chat about everything from makin moonshine to cars to prep stuff. The reason we stay there is we don’t get banned for they way we talk sometimes. If your up to a lot more traffic here and ideas we will move on over!
  
  Reply
  - rellik
    
    July 28, 2019 at 5:15 PM
    
    Hey Genius,
    Thought I’d try it out.
    over at SHFT we get away with a lot
    not many sites allow that. We’ll see.
    Just to comment on the posted article,
    I only buy canned Tuna in water, I don’t
    think that will burn. Maybe my sardines will
    I get those in oil.
    
    Reply
    - TharSheBlows
      
      July 29, 2019 at 12:21 PM
      
      Yes Genius, Rellik and Fish n Mud. And al SHTF’planners I join you here also looking for a Solar Blog site for Off- Gridders like us to share thoughts and solutions. TharSheBlows.
      
      Reply
      - Genius
        
        July 30, 2019 at 11:48 AM
        
        TSB, Good to hear you got your setup ready. Some places will allow you to have up to 2KW of pv without a permit. In my experience you can’t use a non hard wired inverter (one with outlets) in a ground/nuetral tied system. As long as you have your ground and neutral seperated they work fine. Sounds like you got it dialed in, whats next?
Genius

July 28, 2019 at 5:43 PM

You can also use the heads from moonshine as fuel for the stove. Save them and run them again and you should have 85% or so methyl alcohol. Take your extra fruit from your harvest and make wine. The rag water filter can also be used to clean used oil. They did that in the depression. Save your old cooking oil for fuel also. Good to see you relik!

Reply
Kevin2

July 28, 2019 at 9:44 PM

Genius & rellik, found the place. When done with that tuna drain the remaining oil out, put the tuna in spaghetti sauce with pitted black olives. Tastes like spaghetti and crabs. Trust me, I’m a resident subject matter expert here. Call it a cheap survival dinner.

Reply
- fishandmud
  
  July 28, 2019 at 9:52 PM
  
  Genius, Relik, Kevin 2 : I found it too. I hope it works out. Looking for more survival talk and less politics and BS.
  
  Reply
  - Genius
    
    July 28, 2019 at 9:57 PM
    
    Ya I just hope they can tolerate us 😛
    
    Reply
- Genius
  
  July 28, 2019 at 9:54 PM
  
  Good because I;m allergic to crab lol.
  
  Reply
  - fishandmud
    
    July 28, 2019 at 10:04 PM
    
    Agreed. As far as tolerating, I haven’t been moderated yet or even heard a peep. Ok, I’m going to get ready for the crap hole ( work ) tomorrow. I’ll check in tomorrow afternoon. Keep on prepping
    
    Reply