In this post, I will go over 21 survival uses for duct tape that you probably didn’t know.
Given my fondness for commonplace items that can be used in a variety of ways, I thought it would be fun to revisit some of the practical applications of duct tape around the house, camping, and, of course, in a survival or emergency situation.
I believe we can all agree that duct tape is a multi-purpose tool that should be included in every survival pack.
I’ve compiled a list of 21 ways to use duct tape for survival and crises based on all of your helpful suggestions.
Let’s dig in.
1. Makeshift Rope
You can use duct tape to fashion a makeshift rope (and a strong one!) if you’re caught in a burning house with just the window to leap out and escape.
All you have to do now is wrap it up in a spiral, and it should keep you safe until you reach the ground. It functions similarly to paracord.
2. Reseal Food Packages
After being opened, most long-term food packaging is not designed to be resealed. But, to reseal the packaging and extend the shelf life of your food, all you need is a little duct tape.
3. Makeshift Bandage
Duct tape can also be used in the medical field. Use it as a bandage is one of them. Cover the wound with a sterile cloth (cotton, wool, etc.) and secure it with duct tape. If the wound is bleeding, secure it with hard pressure by drawing the tape taut.
4. Close Your Tent
This should be no problem if you bring your duct tape along on your camping trip. Cover the hole with a duct tape patch, then mirror the patch for double protection inside the tent. Insects and weather will be kept where they belong.
5. Help a Sprained Ankle or Wrist
If you sprain your ankle due to a trip or sprain your wrist through extreme motion, wrap it in duct tape to provide support.
6. Repair Glasses
Tape your glasses if they break while you’re out in the woods. It may not be the most stylish, but at the very least you will be able to see.
7. Repair Clothing
Slip a piece of tape within the rip, sticky sides out, and carefully press both sides of the rip together to repair rips and tears in your clothes. The repair will be almost imperceptible.
8. Makeshift Belt
Stick a piece of duct tape to itself in the front of your belt loops. If you overlap the belt by 4 or 5 inches, you’ll be able to take it apart when you need to go to the bathroom.
9. Remove Splinters
Make sure your skin is completely dry. Apply duct tape to the splinter’s embedded location and yank it out rapidly. Make sure to double-check that it isn’t there anymore.
10. Remove Warts
Wrap a piece of duct tape around a plantar wart for 6 days. When the adhesive loosens or becomes wet, replace the tape.
Remove the tape after 6 days and soak the area in water. Then, using an emery board, carefully rub the wart. Do it again until the wart is no longer visible.
11. Makeshift Shelter with Garbage Bag
You can make a survival shelter roof, a sleeping bag cover, or a wind barrier out of garbage bags and duct tape.
12. Repair Trashcans
Plastic trash cans that have been blown over or frozen in an ice storm are prone to splitting or cracking along the sides. Duct tape can be used to repair the tear. Make sure the can is completely dry before taping the crack on both the outside and the inside.
13. Write Things Down
Only certain types of markers work well for writing things down well, like permanent markers or thick pens.
14. Childproof Your House
You can use duct tape to cover sharp corners and electrical outlets.
15. Repair Holes on Boats
If you have a hole or crack in your small fishing boat, kayak, or canoe, you can repair it by completely drying the area and putting duct tape on both sides.
The fix may not continue indefinitely, but it will most likely return you to society.
16. Make Handcuffs
To keep the bad men from becoming a danger to themselves or others, make handcuffs for them by taping their hands together around a tree or tape their whole body around.
17. Mark a Trail
You can use duct tape to find your way back by marking every turn.
18. Patch Up Tires
When you don’t have an option, duct tape will suffice until you can go to a spot where you can properly repair the problem. Both automobiles and bicycles may be temporarily repaired with duct tape.
19. Reinforce Windshields
Simply put duct tape in the shape of an X to any windshield to reduce the likelihood of it breaking in severe winds, like those caused by hurricanes.
20. Attach an Extra Key
It is weather-resistant and keeps its shape well. Although not recommended if this is your front door key, taping a key to the outside of your automobile in a discreet location is useful if you ever lock yourself out.
21. Hang a Light
This can be especially helpful for Christmas lights, but you can also stick lights to a wall.
Last Words
Duct tape has been regarded as a wonder worker for the past 70 years or so.
Duct tape has become necessary for do-it-yourselfers and fix-it-yourselfers and has been utilized for things that I’m sure the inventors of the product never envisaged. Can you picture MacGyver without his trusty duct tape? I’m afraid I can’t.
I have duct tape and its sister product, Gorilla tape, stored in my house, in my car, and numerous emergency packs. It comes in handy for a variety of tasks. The fact that duct tape is widespread does not negate its utility in the field of survival equipment.
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