Things around the house to use

[Ben Casey]

Hi all just thought I might start this one as it could be helpfull. In my survival/kit I have a number of items from around the house that are basically free or what I would calss as free as they are normally bought in most peoples shopping.
1. Tampons to light fires they have water proof protection and fluff up nicely.
2. Condoms a decent strong one (Neutral in tatse) Can carry water.
3. The wifes tights can keep your legas warm as an extra layer (and if your really stuck can have fun in the bedroom LOL).

Anyone else got some tips or maybe advice I could be wrong on some of my ideas so far?

Ben

[Ben Casey]

4. One sided razor blades from the chemists for jobs like skining

[Bambii]

That sounds like a womans handbag to me :D :D :D

You can use a condom for fire aswell, use it like a magnifying glass.

[CanadianMike]

Reminds me of this, lots of good ideas in there to look for at cheapo stores (like hair blam as a firestarter).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAPNtca7RGQ

BTW, tampons are also great for field dressing bloody wounds............. rather like what they were designed for actually. Hehe

[leon-1]

Hi all just thought I might start this one as it could be helpfull. In my survival/kit I have a number of items from around the house that are basically free or what I would calss as free as they are normally bought in most peoples shopping.
1. Tampons to light fires they have water proof protection and fluff up nicely.
2. Condoms a decent strong one (Neutral in tatse) Can carry water.
3. The wifes tights can keep your legas warm as an extra layer (and if your really stuck can have fun in the bedroom LOL).

Anyone else got some tips or maybe advice I could be wrong on some of my ideas so far?

Ben

Condoms need to be supported in a sock and you don't try to fill they totally straight away.

Ben most things in the girlfriends or the wifes handbag can be used, if she smokes then you have a lighter or matches, she may carry lipbalm or lipstick, most of these are petroleum based and can be used with the tampons to make them burn for longer. She may carry a compact which means you have a signal mirror. Tissues, can be used as both dressings and tinder.


4. One sided razor blades from the chemists for jobs like skining

For work, at home and in the top of my daysack I carry a first aid kit, nearly all of the contents have a use in a survival situation beyond that which we would normally attribute it with. For instance I carry a derma-safe blade in there which are on issue in the US survival packs as a small cutting edge. Alcohol swabs as a means to starting fire, open weave and triangular bandages as tinder. Magnifying glasses for identifying splinters used as a burning lens.

I still have a tendency to replace drawcords and laces with paracord. If it's the decent stuff you should have seven or so cores to it that give you about 70lbs per core and 60lbs on the mantle.

I hope this gives a few ideas.

[Ben Casey]

Well was just a thought foe cheepos like me to be honest I never thought of putting the condom in a sock I would have just filled it up :)

[Bambii]

I still have a tendency to replace drawcords and laces with paracord. If it's the decent stuff you should have seven or so cores to it that give you about 70lbs per core and 60lbs on the mantle.

Why wouldnt you just use laces instead of replacing laces with paracord. No offence but this seems kind of pointless.

[JEEP]

Because paracord is a lot stronger than normal laces.

[Bambii]

Because paracord is a lot stronger than normal laces.

I see that, but if its on boot laces you wouldnt get alot on there. Well not a reasonably useful length.

[Matt]

Enough for a bowdrill ;)

[Bambii]

Enough for a bowdrill ;)

Aha thank you lol :D again you could just use the shoe lace for that but why not lol.

[Realbark]

1. Tampons to light fires they have water proof protection and fluff up nicely.
2. Condoms a decent strong one (Neutral in tatse) Can carry water.
3. The wifes tights can keep your legas warm as an extra layer (and if your really stuck can have fun in the bedroom LOL).

Anyone else got some tips or maybe advice I could be wrong on some of my ideas so far?

Ben

Yes to all three Ben - also large binliners (can be used as shelter or poncho). I carry 2 in my daybag. BBQ firelighters - a fraction of the cost of hexamine/esbit and go well off a firesteel when crumbled. Metal skewers cut to length for hobo stove pot stand - ive bent the ends of mine so thet cant fall out if i need to move the stove. A cut down wooden spoon or chopstick for a D ring cook lifter (for the SAT stove) or similar. And finally (for now) - stove tape stuck to the low side of your meths burner as an additional priming aid.

[Ben Casey]

Yes to all three Ben - also large binliners (can be used as shelter or poncho). I carry 2 in my daybag. BBQ firelighters - a fraction of the cost of hexamine/esbit and go well off a firesteel when crumbled. Metal skewers cut to length for hobo stove pot stand - ive bent the ends of mine so thet cant fall out if i need to move the stove. A cut down wooden spoon or chopstick for a D ring cook lifter (for the SAT stove) or similar. And finally (for now) - stove tape stuck to the low side of your meths burner as an additional priming aid.

Cheers Realbark I forgot all about the bin liners and your right about the BBQ Firelighters there. I will have to see what you mean about the skewers and chop sticks tho.

[Realbark]

I havent worked out how to post pics yet (asks for a url instead of browse computer) - Anyway, my usual hobo stove is from a steel strainer type thing full of holes. The billy support is 2 x flat skewers with a loop at one end and a 90 degree bend at the other to support your billycan. Its adjustable height (in various holes) makes it suitable for woodburning, at high level - and meths stove inside, at low level.

The chopsticks just make a handle for the D rings to lift. People use deadwood but here on the fens we have not got many trees - so i carry the stick. About 6" is fine to stop you burning your fingers on the SAT

[leon-1]

Why wouldnt you just use laces instead of replacing laces with paracord. No offence but this seems kind of pointless.

Hi Bambii, fair question.

As the others have said strength is one reason, fire starting is another. If you use the real deal it gives you seven cores that have a breaking strain of around 70 lbs each and a mantle that has a 60lb breaking strain. My boots contain 1.5 meters a boot, this can also be said of the draw cords at hem and waist. The draw cord around my hood works out at a meter.

All in all I have seven meters of Paracord or 49 meters of the cores with a breaking strain of 70lbs. The cores can be used for manufacturing night lines, lashing shelters and anything else I require a bit of string for. Remember I still have the mantle that can be used as laces, or draw cords for my clothing.

[leon-1]

Aha thank you lol :D again you could just use the shoe lace for that but why not lol.

Abrasion resistance and strength, a shoe or boot lace will not last very long. Most shoe laces if made from a manmade material will begin to melt if you lock the drill up too frequently. If they are of a natural fibre invariably they have not the abrasion resistance. It all comes down to technique really, but when you are tired or under pressure is when you are more likely to make mistakes. Optimise whatever chances you have.

[Realbark]

And - old 35mm camera film cases for tea/sugar/powdered milk etc. Drawstring sunglasses or similar bags for storing same...........Tobbacco pouch doubles nicely as a tinder type wallet (cut off the rizla holder if you have one). Cotton buds as match firelighters. And although not really a bushcraft piece you can use old toothbrushes (apart from cleaning old teeth) for cleaning boots, leather and general kit.

[swkieran]

i always keep my ice cream tubs, and the plastic containers which yer chinese takeaway food comes in very robust containers and do come in handy :)

[CanadianMike]

Cheapo tarp made into a very strong hammock:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs314.snc3/28343_399853934206_510619206_3956112_265594_n.jpg

My girlfriend approved:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs324.ash1/28343_399853974206_510619206_3956116_8126170_n.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Love the pictures where were they taken?

[CanadianMike]

An island camping weekend with friends last May on Lake Clear not far from Ottawa, loved it, can't wait to go back again.

[CanadianMike]

You have to upload your pics to an online site like Facebook or other, then it's the same as posting up any pic, right click on it, properties, highlight/copy the picture url, the paste the link here surrounded by and . Is pretty easy once you get used to it.

[Ben Casey]

Think I need to emigrate I was over your side of the world years ago in Medicine Hat the land and everything was amazing :)

[CanadianMike]

Ya, it is pretty spectacular in many places here. Some more pics from that trip:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs294.snc3/28343_399853834206_510619206_3956104_553720_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs294.snc3/28343_399853849206_510619206_3956105_223939_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs294.snc3/28343_399853869206_510619206_3956106_7938007_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs314.snc3/28343_399853874206_510619206_3956107_3669407_n.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Im gonna book a flight even if Iam scarred of lying LOL

[CanadianMike]

Good stuff, let me know when and we'll plan a big trip. Lol

Here's the lake, resort info, camping and boating info:

http://www.omresort.ca/lakemap.htm

[Ben Casey]

I will I would just need a few more pennies than I have at the moment tho :( LOL Nice site there I wonder what the pound is today ;)

[firecrest]

Three shelf brackets bolted together make a good trivet

[CanadianMike]

I will I would just need a few more pennies than I have at the moment tho :( LOL Nice site there I wonder what the pound is today ;)

Last time I looked it was about 454 grams...........

Lol

[Martin]

This is one that Matt put us on to. The bottles from Red Bull or Lucozade shots are the perfect size for carrying the small amount of meths required for your trangia or pop can stove for a quick brew. They're normally about 60ml which is great.

Martin

[klause]

I know the thread says ' Things around the house to use ' but on the subject of being a 'cheepo' one word POUNDLAND....

I've bought everything from med kits, boot kits,wash kits (kits may need bolstering but the cases are adequate), tent pegs, everything needed to build a half decent hobo stove including the tools, phone-camera-ipod cases, sun cream, insect repellent, boil in the bag foods, survival blankets, fishing gear, electricians tape, bungees, storage pots, head torches big & small, other torches wind up & so on (i got a hanging L.C.D. light for £1 and the same model was 12.99 in Millits),,,,,,,the list is endless.......

And yes some of it may be rubbish, but if it turns out to be no good - it only cost a pound to find out !

[CanadianMike]

Exactly, I've found all kinds of things at our local 'cheepo' store, we call them dollar stores, the one I most frequent is Dollarama (not that you need to know), but they stock all kinds of stuff for the creative outdoors mind. Even gotten bug head nets, fishing lures, duct tape, tarps and painting drop cloths, etc. Love that place, even if I'm supporting the Chinese economy. :)

[Ben Casey]

The old second hand and charity stores are good to I got my stove in one :)

[Fletching]

Three shelf brackets bolted together make a good trivet

Nice one firecrest!

[Notredame11211]

Exactly, I've found all kinds of things at our local 'cheepo' store, we call them dollar stores, the one I most frequent is Dollarama (not that you need to know), but they stock all kinds of stuff for the creative outdoors mind. Even gotten bug head nets, fishing lures, duct tape, tarps and painting drop cloths, etc. Love that place, even if I'm supporting the Chinese economy. :)

I love going to Dollarama whenever I am in Toronto, or another major city. I can usually find enough stuff to entertain myself until the next time I am there, lol.

[TinkyPete]

Here are a couple from me:)

1. Use Steradent tablets to clean out water bottles and bladders instead of Camelback tablets a fraction of the cost and do exactly the same job.

2. reuse travel shower and mouthwash containers for liquids (meths, tobasco sauce, ketchup)

3. lynx cans for stoves

4. beer cans for candle holders

5. Empty vicks inhaler containers (modify by cutting where the holes are by the screw part) for cheep small waterproof container. I use some for stuff like potassium permanganate and other stuff I want to keep dry but take up very little room.

6. Jay cloths for pack towels even smaller and lighter and can be used to clean pots and keep things quiet in pots and things

[Adam Savage]

not sure if this has been mentioned before, I couldn't see it

Tobacco pouches make excellent bags for Vaseline cotton wool tinder, the laminated pouches are designed to keep the contents moist, which also stops moisture getting in. most can be re-sealed easily and if not a strip of duct tape does the job.

[OKBushcraft]

Dryer lint after a load of cotton towels-great fire tinder
Candy and shoe polish tins-fire kits
My kids cough syrup bottles-holds alchohol for trangia stove-sorry folks, can't call it meths-here in the states meths sounds too much like meth- a horrible drug.
Fiskars garden trowel-can take the handle plug out and store a fish kit, could even use the trowel as a hobo hand reel. Only a dollar at the local discount or hardware store. I also use mine to make Dakota fire holes, dig up tubers. I have thought that it could also be placed on a longer handle to use as a spear of sorts.
5 gallon paint pale, washed-stores lots of gear in the vehicle for car camping and also can be used as a seat.
Large plastic pet food bags-made from same material as inexpensive tarps- I save some rolled up in the tool kit to have in the car as a ground cloth if I need to change a flat. Can turn inside out and use for foraging greens, bringing fish home, etc...
String from top of pet food bag- not strong but is cotton, can be used for wicks, stick bundles for a fire, simple biodegradeble cord.

[Adam Savage]

Dryer lint after a load of cotton towels-great fire tinder
Candy and shoe polish tins-fire kits
My kids cough syrup bottles-holds alchohol for trangia stove-sorry folks, can't call it meths-here in the states meths sounds too much like meth- a horrible drug.
Fiskars garden trowel-can take the handle plug out and store a fish kit, could even use the trowel as a hobo hand reel. Only a dollar at the local discount or hardware store. I also use mine to make Dakota fire holes, dig up tubers. I have thought that it could also be placed on a longer handle to use as a spear of sorts.
5 gallon paint pale, washed-stores lots of gear in the vehicle for car camping and also can be used as a seat.
Large plastic pet food bags-made from same material as inexpensive tarps- I save some rolled up in the tool kit to have in the car as a ground cloth if I need to change a flat. Can turn inside out and use for foraging greens, bringing fish home, etc...
String from top of pet food bag- not strong but is cotton, can be used for wicks, stick bundles for a fire, simple biodegradeble cord.

Great work. Plenty of good solutions to various problems. Like the garden trowel with storage in the handle, not sure if the spear would work well but I'm sure if you could put and edge on it, it may work as a kind of axe

[Ben Casey]

I think so to loads of great ideas :)

[Realbark]

5 gallon paint pale, washed-stores lots of gear in the vehicle for car camping and also can be used as a seat.


What a cracking idea! So simple but until i read it i would still be be using bags and a folding chair for car trips.

[OKBushcraft]

Yeah the spear idea fizzles out. I was mainly thinking of sawing one into a fish spear with barbs but that would limit it's use too much.
Each of my sons has a trowel to take on walks or to dig in my garden.

I also use tin and plastic food containers(craker tins from Columbia and plastic pretzel jugs) -1-3 gallons, to hold beans and rice.
Bailing twine and wire-one can make snares, or just about anything fout of them.

[scorpian]

I recommend you carry a few tea bags(even if you are a coffee drinker) in a zip up poly bag, the reason being they make a good source of tinder as they will catch from a flint/ firestarter, the zip up bag can be useful for collecting berries/ carrying water etc. needlass to say cotton wool/tampons and vaseline in a seperate zip up bag are also useful, in addition i carry a solar powered key ring torch available on ebay for about £1.
finally a few wooden tooth picks can be used as dry kindling as well as well as improvising for food prep uses.

regards-Steve

[Adam Savage]

finally a few wooden tooth picks can be used as dry kindling as well as well as improvising for food prep uses.

regards-Steve

Nice little tip there Steve, thanks for sharing. :)

[Roadkillphil]

I've nicked some little paint pots off the kids to use as spice pots..... once the kids have used all the paint of course :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/5823911914_2dc40d2d4d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/5823911914/)
Paintpot spices (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7904270@N07/5823911914/) by roadkillphil (http://www.flickr.com/people/7904270@N07/), on Flickr

[Ben Casey]

Nice idea there Phil I like it :)

[Mouldsy]

Old shotgun shells for a water tight match or tinder box, survival fishing kits or what ever you can fit in them.
Here's a link to our blog with a tutorial on how to make them.
http://buzzardbushcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/davys-shotgun-cartridge-matchcase.html

[raven75]

Been wanting to renew my fishing kit for ages, kind of like the size of this tube.

2489

[Adam Savage]

That's nice looking hobo reel mate. Thanks for bringing it to attention.

Adam

[bushcraftboy]

I've heard you can use 1 drop of plain bleach (non-scented) for 1 litre of water, to tell if all the bacteria has been killed you will still be able to smell the bleach, because the nasties have all died and there is still bleach left that indicates it's OK.

[Adam Savage]

I've heard you can use 1 drop of plain bleach (non-scented) for 1 litre of water, to tell if all the bacteria has been killed you will still be able to smell the bleach, because the nasties have all died and there is still bleach left that indicates it's OK.

Not sure if I'd trust that. I drank from a cup that had been washed with bleach, before being washed with regular washing up liquid (like many do), and it still gave me a sore throat lol. Many I'm just too sensitive? hahaha

[LandRoverMatt]

pasty for food lol

[bushcraftboy]

Not sure if I'd trust that. I drank from a cup that had been washed with bleach, before being washed with regular washing up liquid (like many do), and it still gave me a sore throat lol. Many I'm just too sensitive? hahaha

Well they were washed with bleach, with this method you use 1 drop.

[bushcraftboy]

http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html

[Mouldsy]

Been wanting to renew my fishing kit for ages, kind of like the size of this tube.

2489

Like that a lot mate, cracking idea, I was going to buy one of ebay but I think I will give this ago first.
Thanks for sharing.

[survivalgirl]

great ideas I should write all this down thanksT^

[Ben Casey]

Not sure if I'd trust that. I drank from a cup that had been washed with bleach, before being washed with regular washing up liquid (like many do), and it still gave me a sore throat lol. Many I'm just too sensitive? hahaha

My mam used to clean her false teeth with ajax to save money on toothpaste :( Mind you she was a confirmed nutter of the family :))

[Pryderi]

Been wanting to renew my fishing kit for ages, kind of like the size of this tube.

2489

Cable ties!!! Why didn't I think of that!!!!

[cuppa joe]

used socks ...instead of tea bags (for you camp buddies of course)...more decent tea bags left for me.

[bushcraftboy]

I make waxed cotton balls, if you have a candle in the house while it's lit tip some of the wax out onto cotton balls, works good for candle of just fire lighting.

And I make cups out of drank pop cans, I use a tin opener to take the top off, and put some wire through the top, to hang over a fire or something.

[El]

Some great ideas here.thanks guys !

[m0txr]

Some great and new ideas to me in that lot, thanks all.

[bronskimac]

I use an old bleach bottle to store fuel (naphtha/panel wipe) for my Coleman Sportster stove. As well as carrying a fair quantity, the offset nozzle means I can top up the stove without having to use a funnel (I am a bit clumsy so no funnel is a biggie for me)

I use small medicine bottles for olive oil, salt and pepper. Occasionally even use them to carry medicine. Must remember not to throw them away.

Old 35mm film canisters currently used for catapult ammo. Sure there must be lots of other things they could be used for.

[KaiTheIronHound]

1 drop of bleach isnt enough i dont reckon. People suggest lots of different numbers, but from experience i've found that 4 drops per quart/litre and a half hour wait makes it pretty well safe. I've used less and got sick, but on the same water source used 4 and been fine. Better to overdo than underdo right? Probably also good to note that my father is a water engineer, and as far as he is aware, the only country to widely use bleach as a water steriliser is North Korea, because its cheap. Its also bad for you. As a short term option, bleach will work, but i'd hate to use it much longer. Boiling is best!

[Adam Savage]

1 drop of bleach isnt enough i dont reckon. People suggest lots of different numbers, but from experience i've found that 4 drops per quart/litre and a half hour wait makes it pretty well safe. I've used less and got sick, but on the same water source used 4 and been fine. Better to overdo than underdo right? Probably also good to note that my father is a water engineer, and as far as he is aware, the only country to widely use bleach as a water steriliser is North Korea, because its cheap. Its also bad for you. As a short term option, bleach will work, but i'd hate to use it much longer. Boiling is best!

Just returned from a Bushcraft and survival foundation course. The simplest and best way to make water safe, is to use a coarse filter, like a Milbank bag, then bring to the boil. It will remove turnidity and pathogens, making any water safe except chemically contaminated water.

[Hushwing]

Hey Ben, thanks for the image that your bracketed comment on tights gave!! Having had to wear tights in an amateur stage production recently (no, Ben it wasn't one of those sort of 'amateur' productions LOL) set in 1750s Spanish Peru - I have learnt that tights are as nearly uncomfortable to wear in our nether regions as a gradually tightening slipknot would be. Your wives/GirlFriends etc might not be happy but an ex-services guy informed me that if you rip out the crotch of the tights then everything is a lot more comfortable - he should know he was in the paras and I'm not going to make any comment to someone as tough as that!

[Ben Casey]

Hey Ben, thanks for the image that your bracketed comment on tights gave!! Having had to wear tights in an amateur stage production recently (no, Ben it wasn't one of those sort of 'amateur' productions LOL) set in 1750s Spanish Peru - I have learnt that tights are as nearly uncomfortable to wear in our nether regions as a gradually tightening slipknot would be. Your wives/GirlFriends etc might not be happy but an ex-services guy informed me that if you rip out the crotch of the tights then everything is a lot more comfortable - he should know he was in the paras and I'm not going to make any comment to someone as tough as that!

If you go to special shops you dont have to rip anything out LOL

[Hushwing]

If you go to special shops you dont have to rip anything out LOL

OOOh suitttts you, sir!
:)

[Ben Casey]

Maybe we should do a fashion show sometime LOL

[Likantropo]

Hello all, greetings from Central America. Lint from a clothes dryer is also very good to use as tinder. It will catch a spark, or light from a charcloth ember quite easily. My wife saves some for me every now and then. Thanks, keep it up!

[Likantropo]

Hello all. Greetings from Central America. The lint from a clothes dryer is a very good tinder. It will directly catch a spark, or light with an ember either from charcloth or bowdrill. It's cheap, weightless and can be carried in a small bag, compresed. One dryer run can provide tinder for many fires. Thanks!

[Adam Savage]

Hello all. Greetings from Central America. The lint from a clothes dryer is a very good tinder. It will directly catch a spark, or light with an ember either from charcloth or bowdrill. It's cheap, weightless and can be carried in a small bag, compresed. One dryer run can provide tinder for many fires. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

That's very true, but if the dryer has been used a lot for synthetic materials (polyester, nylon, acrylic), then the lint can melt more than burn. If the dryer has been used for cotton and woolen clothing, then it produces some of the better tinder available :)

Adam

[Likantropo]

Hello, Adam and all.
Thanks for the reply and the welcome.
T^
You are absolutely right.
I have obtained the best results after the machine has been used to dry denim pants or cotton shirts.

Thanks

Elmer

[jimyk79]

I have been using paintball pods for some time now to store my food mainly, rice, bannock mix and the like. I have one with my wash kit in it as well. They are strong, watertight and cheep, less than £2 in any paintball retailer. Come in lots of colours and at least 3 different sizes.

You can even use one as a cup if you need to

jamie

[GalaxyRider]

Now as we all know, it is an impossibility to have too many cable ties. So get yourself some pliers, go for a walk along any ring road in the country, and snip off all the cable ties on the lamposts! If you snip just behind the knuckle, you can pull the already zipped bit through, and you are often left with a completely usable, bit slightly shorter cable tie! Simple and cheap.

[Likantropo]

Geat idea! Thanks

[Ben Casey]

Hi there from me to I forgot all about this thread LOL

[Likantropo]

Disposed mirror from wife's cosmetics, to use for signaling... If it is the type that comes attached to the inside of a small plastic box, the box could be used for tinder.

[Adam Savage]

Disposed mirror from wife's cosmetics, to use for signaling... If it is the type that comes attached to the inside of a small plastic box, the box could be used for tinder.

So obvious, yet I never thought of that. Nice one buddy.

[Likantropo]

Tobacco pouches, will be good for carrying tinder. Also, some tobacco brands come in tin cans, which could be used for making charcloth or carrying a fishing kit, first aid kit, or similar uses.

Small tins from cremes could also be stolen from the wife for bushcraft purposes.

:)

Best wishes to all.

Elmer

[Likantropo]

Clothes wire, the kind used to hang the clothes outside to dry... Some have several strands and could be used for snares.
Also the heavier electric cables.

;)

[Adam Savage]

Tobacco pouches, will be good for carrying tinder....

I use them for exactly that purpose buddy (after I have smoked the contents of course lol). Laminated to keep the moisture in, so keeps the moisture out too T^


...Small tins from cremes could also be stolen from the wife for bushcraft purposes.

Guilty as charged :p

[Silverback]

guitar strings make good snares

[Likantropo]

Compact discs could be used as makeshift signal mirrors.

[Likantropo]

That's a good one! Metal strings for snares, nylon strings for fishing.
T^

Best wishes.

[Likantropo]

I use them for exactly that purpose buddy (after I have smoked the contents of course lol). Laminated to keep the moisture in, so keeps the moisture out too T^ :p

Haha! Yes. And there are some really nice, pretty pouches out there. I used to buy them a lot to roll my own cigarettes, but all of a sudden the tobacco store stopped bringing in the smoking paper. So I switched to smoking pipe, but that was a bit too messy for my liking.

Also, some cigars come in aluminum or tin tubes with a screw cap. These are also good for carrying small items, and waterproofed. I use electrical tape to protect contents from water.

Some stores sell small cotton filters for people who roll their cigarettes. And these are great for tinder. And some of them come in a plastic bag with a plastic "zipper" which protects the contents from moisture.

[David_JAFO]

hello,
One of the first things you learn on Selection/Survival Training a Condom supported by a
Sock or a Hair Net.The Hair Net also has other multiple uses.
Regards
David

Well was just a thought foe cheepos like me to be honest I never thought of putting
the condom in a sock I would have just filled it up :)

[Likantropo]

Not exactly around the house, but...
I visited a friend's clinic the other day. She was cleaning and had these stainless steel containers, with lids. They were used to contain cotton, surgical instruments, tongue depressors, bandage and the like.
One man's trash is another's treasure.

To me, those are perfect for field cooking, carrying food and water...

[alvino78]

Not exactly around the house, but...
I visited a friend's clinic the other day. She was cleaning and had these stainless steel containers, with lids. They were used to contain cotton, surgical instruments, tongue depressors, bandage and the like.
One man's trash is another's treasure.

To me, those are perfect for field cooking, carrying food and water...
any pics please???

[beermaker]

those little net bags you used to get with washing machine tablets are great to put a bar of soap in. You can use the soap through the net and then hang it from a branch to dry out again. I also use them to put a can of beer in and trail it on a line behind my boat to keep the contents cool :)

Use an old leather belt as a strop for getting a really keen edge on your knife

I also pinched the kids old PE bag to carry an ample supply of dry fuel for my kelly kettle!

Love the hobo fishing kit - no guessing what I'll be making in the morning....!!

[InTooDeep]

i have a trash can beside the dryer in the basement, i throw all my dryer lint into it for camping use, so when i go out to the woods, i grab stuff my pants pocket with it.... and in the winter time i shove it between the layers of my socks for extra insulation.

[beermaker]

good idea InTooDeep - our dryer's never off at the moment with our lousy winter weather and having three kids so tons of lint to be had!

[Ehecatl]

i have a trash can beside the dryer in the basement, i throw all my dryer lint into it for camping use, so when i go out to the woods, i grab stuff my pants pocket with it.... and in the winter time i shove it between the layers of my socks for extra insulation.

It (dryer lint) lights really well with a fire steel too!

M@

[InTooDeep]

good idea InTooDeep - our dryer's never off at the moment with our lousy winter weather and having three kids so tons of lint to be had!

a lot of towns have coin operated dryers, and they usually have issues with vents clogging and if someone came up and sai "i will come once a day and clean your vents and filters for free" you may get a strange look, but they arent going to argue with someone taking the stuff off their hands

*there's gold in them thar hills... errr... i mean in those vents*

:p

[InTooDeep]

i also contacted the local high school and asked the woodshop teacher for any left over bits and pieces of wood they had left over, even little shavings, they gladly gave me what they had lying around, i took the sawdust and little shavings and compressed them into little wood pellets... my kids elementary school always has the bits and ends of crayons hanging around the art class, i ask for that as well, they just throw them into the garbage. I take them and melt them into a small glass jar and add a homemade wick to make multi colored candles...

[beermaker]

I'm in the fortunate position of teaching woodwork so get tons of shavings. We also use a lot of pine and I always keep my eye open for any really resinous bits (get quite a lot of them in any one delivery as we tend to use cheaper pine) which is great for firelighting!

Crayons are a great idea, definately one on my list!

Other things round the house - I have a lot of copper and brass (I collect old ship bits like lamps and compasses) and the bits of cloth I use for polishing them are great firelighters! Bit of cotton soaked with brasso? burns like all heck!!

Also, a good source of small tins are the tins you get "dominion" mints in from Aldi - great for keeping vaseline soaked cotton wool in. A good baccy tin substitute (a bit smaller) is the tins that "altoid" mints come in. Available in several supermarkets, they're really good tins and the mints are yummy to boot!

[HarryLFH]

Just to add to this topic. I use a kitchen knife which is a bit heavy so I can use it as an axe. It will not be so good for detailed work like creating thin layers of wood but I can use my swis knife which is good for that. Recently I also bought that thing for stainless still to put ice cubes in the restaurants. I bought that in pound land with its small handle to use it as a sauce pan. In case I cannot light a proper fire around me, I use a candle which is sold in glasses (You can still it from your mom) and it to boil water using that "sauce pan". In case the fire is too close to the pan, use the handle as a base from your sauce pan.

[beermaker]

For those of us with sprogs, empty sudocrem pots are top notch for storing tinder, bits and bobs - tough, waterproof and good lids which stay on but easy to remove when needed, even with gloves or cold hands. Also, baby wipes are great for cleaning everything!

[alvino78]

hear hear on the baby wipes great at degreasing and cleaning!!!!T^

[wildish64]

if you melt the ends of the para cord and squish them together,as it begins to cool give it a roll between your fingers to 'blend' them together and tidy it up you'l find it joins together incredibly strongly and almost impossible to pull apart
Hi Bambii, fair question.

As the others have said strength is one reason, fire starting is another. If you use the real deal it gives you seven cores that have a breaking strain of around 70 lbs each and a mantle that has a 60lb breaking strain. My boots contain 1.5 meters a boot, this can also be said of the draw cords at hem and waist. The draw cord around my hood works out at a meter.

All in all I have seven meters of Paracord or 49 meters of the cores with a breaking strain of 70lbs. The cores can be used for manufacturing night lines, lashing shelters and anything else I require a bit of string for. Remember I still have the mantle that can be used as laces, or draw cords for my clothing.

[Winst0nsmith]

Tampons are great for bullet wounds. It's not very bushy but it works in B18. Why they moved the gunshot section away from the gunwounds, I'll never know.

[VEV]

Not exactly lying around the house but sometimes i get in mailorder packages those little silicon gel anti moisture bags to protect the goods inside. I put one of these in my first aid kit as i find otherwise plasters ans sticky tape loses its stick over time.

[Silverback]

gaffer tape....can be used for making wound closures, waterproof dressing(on top of a non adherent dressing of course) improvised splinting, repairing anything...

[jono83]

You can use a milk powder/coffee mate tin and a sweetcorn tin to make a woodgas stove, tampons make good filter straws in a survival situation too. Large dog food cans into hobo stoves. Empty drinks cans into meths stoves, brass picture wire into snares. The bases of certain glass jars/bottles can be knapped like flint into arrow heads etc. wool blankets can be made into warm hooded jackets. cotton mop heads can be used to make a good tinder. the list is endless, just need a bit of injenuity amd some imagination and you could make 90% of your lit from what is around your home

[shepherd]

gaffer tape....can be used for making wound closures, waterproof dressing(on top of a non adherent dressing of course) improvised splinting, repairing anything...

gaffer tape is king

[Ben Casey]

Must be 2 and a half years this has been going now LOL I find Gaffer tape good for gobby girls Whoops :)

[Rasputin]

gaffer tape is king

Sod gaffer tape, GORILLA TAPE is king....gaffer tape is its sissy cousin,lol but it is cheaper

[Old Guard]

When I worked for B&Q (well somebody has to !!) I found a badge to wear, that said, " Duck Tape, the Kidnappers Friend "

Managed to wear it for about a month untill the Manager saw it :rolleye:

[butchthedog]

Must be 2 and a half years this has been going now LOL I find Gaffer tape good for gobby girls Whoops :)

You're a bad bad man Ben,,, Can I borrow some and get a few tips from you...

[Ben Casey]

With pleasure mate but don't tell the wife thay are from me or else next time I'm round I will get a bollocking LOL


You're a bad bad man Ben,,, Can I borrow some and get a few tips from you...

[Ferrell freddy]

Long time no speak!! Gaffer tape also can be coiled into a point.. It burns real well so this can be used as a candle/fire starter! I'll have a go and post a pic as soon as I can. (Been absolute non-stop at work to get the lads out the door on ship but took delivery of my shed yesterday so summer leave in the shed here we come!!)

[alvino78]

cool and it works!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiB9kUPRXZ4

[butchthedog]

cool and it works!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiB9kUPRXZ4

excellent stuff....T^

[matty198111]

This has probably been mentioned but a strip of inner tube from a push bike is worth keeping in ur fire making tin.
It lights very easy and burns for a good while.

Also cayenne pepper is a good cheap item to keep in the first aid tin as it conjeals blood well and helps clean the wound

[Rasputin]

This has probably been mentioned but a strip of inner tube from a push bike is worth keeping in ur fire making tin.
It lights very easy and burns for a good while.

Also cayenne pepper is a good cheap item to keep in the first aid tin as it conjeals blood well and helps clean the wound

Agreed ! T^ any inner tube will do it, cut into strips (ranger bands) you can wrap around kit and use like a strong elastic band. Also black pepper works the same way , and NO it doesn't sting. So next time your in KFC where ever put a couple of sachets in ya pocket for the FA kit, funny was talking to Sapper about this at Ruthin,

[matty198111]

Me and my son both have a 35mm camera film case filled with cayenne.which we keep in our medical tin.

Hes only 6 and not long ago decided to find out what it tasted like.
16 gallons of water later he was back to normal

[Silverback]

funny was talking to Sapper about this at Ruthin,

Mmmm and i still wouldnt advocate its use on anyone but yourself

[Adam Savage]

Mmmm and i still wouldnt advocate its use on anyone but yourself

Or possible a pigeon, that has happened to fall into your frying pan :D

[shepherd]

Hes only 6 and not long ago decided to find out what it tasted like.
16 gallons of water later he was back to normal


haha T^

[David_JAFO]

hello,
One of these Cricket Lighters used for lighting the gas cooker & tea light candles etc.. Could be useful for fire lighting in the coming Autumn months getting the flame right into the heart of the pile of kindling, twigs, & tinder on a windy day :campfire:
Regards
David

10620

[watatoad]

A lot of good tips here many thanks all.

[blacksmith]

On U boats in the last crew were issued with extra large condoms to store their personnel stuff in. U boats were always wet inside.

[midas]

Chafing Dish Fuel,200g tins,for food warmers,catering section trade warehouse,50p,a tin,a fifth of the price of Ethanol Gel in camping shops.

[Old Guard]

Chafing Dish Fuel,200g tins,for food warmers,catering section trade warehouse,50p,a tin,a fifth of the price of Ethanol Gel in camping shops.

Good spot T^

[rawfish111]

That sounds like a womans handbag to me :D :D :D

You can use a condom for fire aswell, use it like a magnifying glass.

Have seen a vid of that done with the condom full of water or pee, can't remember where. Also seen tights used as a support for graduated water filter but never tried the technique so I'm not sure how effective it is. Also I did hear that tights were the most unpopular invention in the underworld of early 20thcentury Ireland... as it then took two to rob a bank.. ... :ashamed: ... sorry couldn't resist ... :ashamed:

[Adam Savage]

Just been playing around with some old bits of kit, and it dawned on me...
Now this may seem incredibly obvious, but the lid/cup part of an old stainless steel flask, can be reused as two parts of a lightweight and/or emergency cook kit.

This is the lid/cup straight off of the flask...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0776_zps133dafcf.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/crazysaint22/media/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0776_zps133dafcf.jpg.html)

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0778_zps77db9373.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/crazysaint22/media/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0778_zps77db9373.jpg.html)

With a little persuasion (using hands only/no tools for this particular one), the liner of the lid/cup is free...

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0779_zpsa832af9c.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/crazysaint22/media/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0779_zpsa832af9c.jpg.html)

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0780_zpsbee3d5e4.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/crazysaint22/media/projects%20and%20equipment/DSC_0780_zpsbee3d5e4.jpg.html)

This gives you a small stainless steel pot to heat food/water in, as well as a small plastic cup to drink from, without burning your lips.
After all, drinking was what it was designed for ;)

Now the two parts have been separated, they sit snugly back together, and come apart with very little effort.

Should be able to sit a small stove, or a tinder kit inside the cup too, but a metal item to boil water in is essential in a desperate situation, where you need sterile fluids.

Like I said, obvious use really, also super quick and simple to fashion

[Rasputin]

Like your thinking Adam, atb KenT^

[rawfish111]

Mmmm and i still wouldnt advocate its use on anyone but yourself

Likewise, would not like to see the patients face while the nurse scrubbed it out at A+E either

Electrical tape is good for closing wounds when you can get a full round on it (extremities etc.)

[Rasputin]

Likewise, would not like to see the patients face while the nurse scrubbed it out at A+E either

Electrical tape is good for closing wounds when you can get a full round on it (extremities etc.)

Nowt to scrub out ,it forms a crust/ clot on top to stop bleeding and its not for using on huge gashes just those cuts that bleed profusely. Try it, you'll be suprised !

[Midge_Fodder]

My house is pretty boring, then I go back and see mum. Mums a nurse the stuff I have found on the side if her uniforms are in the wash has meant I've got an amazingly well stocked FAK. Best of it is when the reps turn up. She have me a tourniquet the other day....... Don't know what to use it for yet. I suppose I'll come up with somthing.