Your everyday items might just be your ticket to survival.
Everyday Items List for Survival: Your Life Depends On It
1. Coffee Filters
Coffee
filters are not just for making your daily cup of Joe. You can get even more out of a coffee filter by using it as a plate or bowl because it is lightweight and easy to dispose of.
Other alternative uses for coffee filters include the following:
- Filtering water or juice
- Wipe cleaner for eyeglasses
- Emergency toilet paper
- Potting soil
- Gardening
2. Tabs
Don’t be so quick to throw away those soda tabs! These humble everyday items can actually be quite handy.
For example, if you run out of fishing hooks while fishing, you can twist and cut these tabs to create a hook. Be sure to use pliers and protective gloves to prevent the makeshift hook from cutting your skin.
3. Drinking Straws
Plastic drinking straws provide a quick method for sealing and packaging.
For example, you can stuff a straw with petroleum jelly soaked cotton and burn both ends to create an airtight container. Voila! Small torches.
The following are other useful suggestions for sealing your plastic drinking straws:
- Spices
- Ointments
- Medicine
- Liquids
- Survival fishing kit
4. Glass Bottles
A glass bottle is definitely useful for transporting water or other dry powders.
If you break up these bottles, the glass shards can be used as knives, arrowheads, scrapers, and other weapons after shaping down.
Needless to say, glass bottles can be one of the most useful survival items.
5. Wax
Wax is not just for candles, but can also be great for making objects more water-resistant. To do this, simply rub a thin layer of wax to completely coat the object.
Additionally, wax can be a useful lubricant and means to combat rust on essential tools made of metal.
6. Hygiene Products
There is a variety of different uses for male and female hygiene products such as condoms and tampons. These uses go far beyond what these products are intended for. For instance, condoms can become tourniquets for first aid, part of a slingshot, or a water container.
On the other hand, tampons can also be useful as wound dressing, fire starters and filtering water in the wilderness.
7. Dental Floss
Dental floss comes in small, compact packaging, thus making it very easy to carry every day. Aside from helping maintain your oral hygiene, a string of floss can be an essential survival item.
Securing your gear and creating a trap and tripwire among many other things are just some of the uses.
RELATED: 10 Everyday Things That Can Absolutely Save Lives
8. Duct Tape
Duct tape is another great tool to secure objects, as there are limitless uses and possibilities. For example, it can be used to DIY survival arrow spines, or even use it to repair a boat.
Additionally, duct tape can be useful for building and mending an emergency shelter or survival tools.
9. Egg Cartons
After you have exhausted your egg supply, do not throw away your egg cartons. These cardboard trays can be useful when it comes to maintaining a garden.
Not only will your egg carton garden be affordable and easy, but it will also be more space efficient and easy to transport.
Plant your little seedlings in the small pits where the eggs used to be and watch your tiny plants grow.
10. Bandana
A bandana is a very handy household item to keep on your person in case of an emergency.
These everyday items are used in making smoke signals, a makeshift bandage, or an edible plants holder. Should you need it, you can also create a slingshot with a bandana.
Additionally, colorful bandanas are great for appearing more visible to your companions in the thick of the jungle.
11. Tin Cans
If you cut up a tin can just right, you can actually turn it into a mini stove. These stoves can cook food more readily when you are encountering heavy winds, which is key to speeding up meal preparation.
A makeshift stove can also be useful in wilderness survival for added heat in when you are settled for the night.
12. Pantyhose
Having a pair of pantyhose on hand is great for water purification, food dehydration, and also keeping the bugs and mosquitoes away at night.
This makeshift tool is so light, compact, and easy to carry. Heck, you even have the option to wear it if you do not want to add more to your pack.
13. Chapstick
We know dry lips will be the least of your problems while trying to survive. But, bringing lip balm with you can actually be one of the best things you can do to improve your chances.
Given the waxy composition, these little sticks are a great emergency source of fuel.
It is also helpful that it comes in very light and compact packaging, which makes it easy to throw in your pack.
Check out these 7 simple survival hacks using household items in this video from Survival Life:
We hope you find these everyday items for survival tips to be useful, should you find yourself caught up in a struggle for survival. However, you can definitely learn more about the different uses of ordinary items through a simple web search.
This short list is a great start if you are in a rush to secure a useful emergency survival pack. Next time you see these everyday items, set one or two aside for your survival kit.
Do you have any other everyday items for survival you have used in the past? Please let us know in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 17, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
