In this post, I will be going over ways to use Vaseline that may save your life.
Vaseline is a staple in almost every household. It is known to be an amazing moisturizer, lip balm, and skin protector.
I believe that Vaseline should be an absolute must when packing a survival kit because of its amazing healing properties and survival applications like being able to prevent frostbite, protect wounds, start fires, and so much more.
I’ve compiled the absolute best survival uses for Vaseline you should be learning and applying the next time you are out in the wilderness.
Let’s dive right in
1. Prevent Frostbite
The first survival hack is an amazing way to prevent frostbite with Vaseline.
Frostbite can be dangerous if you are in a cold environment. Vaseline, on the other hand, can help protect your skin by forming a barrier between it and the cold. Apply it to frostbite-prone areas, such as your nose and cheeks.
2. Candle
The second survival hack is an amazing way to create a source of light if you ever need one in the wilderness.
Vaseline can be made into a survival candle. Place a small glob of it in a small bowl or dish. If necessary, an upside-down soda can can be used. Then, thoroughly coat a cotton ball with Vaseline.
Insert the cotton ball into the Vaseline, leaving a portion of it sticking out. This is the wick of the candle. The candle should then be lit. The Vaseline will serve as a fuel source for the flame.
3. Firestarter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKpzxQ2hVU
Our next survival hack is how to make a fire with Vaseline. One of the most common survival applications for Vaseline is as a fire starter.
The main ingredient in Vaseline is petroleum, which is flammable. When applied to cotton balls, dryer lint, or other similar materials, it allows them to catch fire more easily and stay ignited for a longer period of time.
Cotton balls and Vaseline premixed in Ziplock bags are popular among campers and survivalists. This will allow them to start fires much more easily and in less than ideal conditions than if they were only using a fire steel or lighter.
4. Protect Wounds
Vaseline can also do a good job protecting small wounds, such as paper cuts and razor cuts. Clean the wound and your hands. Then, apply a small amount of Vaseline to the affected area. This will help them stay moist and provide a protective layer that will help keep out contaminants and prevent a potential infection.
5. Prevent Rusty Tools
Rust can build up on your tools as they are used on a regular basis. Apply a light coat of Vaseline to your hammers, knives, and other tools. Vaseline will keep humidity and moisture from rusting your tools.
6. Blister Prevention
Applying Vaseline before walking, hiking, or working can help to prevent blisters from forming. Simply apply Vaseline to the blister-prone area and cover it with a bandage to avoid making a mess.
7. Insect Booby Trap
Flies aren’t the only insects that can be treated with Vaseline. It can also be used to build barriers to keep other bugs out, such as ants. One popular application for this is to protect pet food.
Apply Vaseline to the area around your pet’s food bowl. This will create a greasy force field that ants will not be able to penetrate. Just don’t forget about it and put it on. Making a Home Alone-style booby trap by accident could result in serious injury.
8. Shaving Cream
If you need to shave but don’t have shaving cream, Vaseline can come in handy. Apply some to your face to help the razor glide smoothly and avoid cuts.
9. Treat Hangnails
Vaseline can also be used to alleviate the pain of hangnails. Begin by scrubbing the area with soap and water. Then, in a circular motion, apply Vaseline to it. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes to soften the hangnail. You can then remove the hangnail.
10. Effective Gas Mask Seal
If you don’t want your gas mask to leak, dab a thin layer of Vaseline around the edges to help it seal better. If you have facial hair, apply a thick layer of Vaseline to prevent air from getting between your skin and the mask.
11. Protect Fruit Trees
Aphids and scale can wreak havoc on your fruit trees. These pests are guarded by ants. Smear an inch-wide band around the base of the tree to keep ants from climbing it and protecting the aphids. Preventing ants from assisting aphids will reduce aphid and scale populations before they wreak havoc on your harvest.
12. Unstick Zippers
One way to use petroleum jelly to survive is to aid in the movement of your gear in bad weather.
Petroleum Jelly can be used to lubricate zippers on tents, pillowcases, duvet covers, sweat shirts, pants, and jackets, ensuring that they pull smoothly and keep you warm. Petroleum Jelly is useful not only in the tent, but also in the home.
Chapstick, which contains Petroleum Jelly, is another useful survival tool. If you don’t have Vaseline, use lip balm to lubricate any zippers that become stuck.
13. Prevent Car Battery Corrosion
Disconnect the car battery terminals, clean them with a wire brush, then reconnect and smear with Vaseline to create a barrier against the elements and to prevent corrosion. Do this as the weather begins to deteriorate around the arrival of winter.
14. Relieves Dry Skin and Eczema
Just apply Vaseline on a dry or itchy area, and it will stop the itchiness or dryness almost immediately.
15. Treat Athletes Foot
Vaseline effectively treats athlete’s foot by suffocating the fungus. It is an occlusive moisturizer, which means it reduces water loss from the skin and forms a hydrophobic barrier, reducing the amount of sweat available for fungus to thrive on.
16. Fix Toilet-Problems
Vaseline is a useful product for people who have piles/hemorrhoids or anal fissures. In fact, it’s an absolute necessity that should always be available next to the toilet.
Rubbing a bit around your backside will provide a slightly slicker runway to help get fecal matter out. Although it won’t help much with the pain, Vaseline may help with the screwed-up, fist-clenching work.
17. Protect A Sore Nose
When you have a cold, dab Vaseline on your nostrils every few hours to keep them from becoming red and sore.
In Conclusion
Vaseline has been regarded as the magical jelly for the past 150 years.
Vaseline has proven itself to be a necessity in purses, cabinets, cars, and many other places. While you may have known it to be the jelly that would be spread on your lips and arms at night by your parents, it can also be known as a necessity in wilderness survival.
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