The Best Multi-Purpose Survival Tool And Its 21 Uses.
My interest in primitive survival skills started about a year ago, shortly after our family found our love of being outdoors and submerged in nature. With all of the adventuring into the wilderness we do now, I want to make sure that we are as prepared as possible before we go out into the elements, whether it is a simple day hike or a 3 day backpacking trip.
I have found, what I believe is the best multi purpose survival tool that you should have with you at all times, a long sleeve, cotton, button down shirt. (Or a long sleeve tee would work as well. Just my preference to have a light button down. The button holes are great for stringing cordage, twigs, or branches through.)
You can wear it, tie it to your bag, around your waist, or just stuff it in your day pack.
1.) You can simply wear it as a form of protection from the elements, whether you need extra sun protection, or another layer to keep warm when it may get chilly.
2.) If you get lost and feel like you may be walking in circles, cut or rip the shirt into strips and tie around trees or bushes to track or mark location.
3.) If you have an arm or shoulder injury, you can tie or pin the sleeves together to make a sling.
4.) You can use strips or pieces of the shirt as tinder if you are trying to light a fire. Leaves and tree shavings will burn up quicker than a piece of your shirt.
5.) Simple, but you can use it as a blanket or barrier between you and the elements.
6.) Or, roll it up to make a small pillow! You could even go as far to fill it with leaves or grass. **Disclaimer-pillow may not be comfortable, but in a pinch, it'll do.**
7.) If you need to dress a deeper wound to stop bleeding, you can fold the shirt into the shape of the wound and apply pressure or even go as far as to secure the bandage with previously cut strips from the same shirt.
8.) Need a tourniquet? You are wearing it.
9.) You can use to tie a stint to a broken arm or leg if there is an injury on the trail.
10.) Hiking in the heat can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. To bring body temps down, simply wet the shirt and wrap your neck or head. It's called, "evaporation cooling". You may not have your fancy cooling towel with you this time, so this serves as an awesome and easy alternative! I've done the same with a wet handkerchief, and I can say, it makes all the difference!
11.) If you need a torch to light your way, tie the shirt around the end of a long, sturdy stick and light that bad boy up! ***Bonus if you can find some tree sap, or some chap stick or vaseline from your pack to rub on the shirt that will act as an accellerant to help the fire get going.
12.) If you are near a water source, you can also use the shirt as a net to scoop something out, or as a net for food.
13.) You can also use the shirt to filter mucky water. Now, you'd still have to boil the water if you were planning to drink it, but this could serve as a means to get larger debris out first.
14.) You can string the shirt up by the sleeves, or using some para cord and now you have yourself shade if you need to take a rest out of the sun, or just need to sit down in a shady spot and refuel for a bit.
15.) Comes in handy as an extra "towel" when dirty hands need a good wipe, or if you are in a first aid type situation, you can use it to wipe blood off.
16.) Same as you could with a handkerchief, you can tie the shirt around your face to shield yourself from breathing in dust or getting pelted in the face with debris when the winds may get brutal.
17.) Hopefully, you never have to use your shirt as a weapon, but it's nice to know that you can. Whether you need protection from an animal, or God Forbid, another person. Start by tying a knot in the far end of one of the sleeves. Next, find a handful or two of rocks (roughly the size of a golf ball or kiwi) and place them inside if the tied sleeve. To secure the rocks, tie another knot in the sleeve. Now, you can swing the shirt by holding the opposing sleeve and hit your attacker with the rocks at a harder force.
18.) It’s been used for ages, but make a simple hobo sack to carry items back to camp.
19.) Or drag heavier items....
20.) Snag a bright colored shirt and it can easily be used as a flag for signaling for help if rescuers are trying to find you. I once read that orange and blue are the two least common colors found in nature, so bonus if your shirt is either of those colors!
21.) Cordage. If you don’t have para cord or anything else you can tie something down with, cutting the shirt into strips can provide you with just that. You can braid strips to strengthen them if you need something stronger. This is the time I would recommend using a long sleeve tee shirt, instead of a cotton button up to avoid any fraying.
Thanks for tuning in and taking time to hear what I believe is an awesome all around survival tool. I hope that you've enjoyed this piece and that you find yourself inspired to bring your button up the next time you head out to explore!
Happy adventuring!
