Learning how to do more with less and conserving resources are important principles that should be constantly guiding our preparedness efforts. While most of us probably know of at least a handful of tips-and-tricks, some of the best suggestions out there involve solving unexpected problems that most of us wouldn’t think about ahead of time. Here are a few examples that are worth remembering now, because you never know when they’ll come in handy later.
Fix Leaky Bottles
Disposable plastic water bottles are not designed for excessive use, and one of the first things that usually happens is they start leaking. Leaks can be a big deal in a survival situation if water is scarce, or if that’s the only bottle that you have on hand. One way to stop leaks is to put a small plastic bag over the top of the bottle before screwing on the cap. Another, more permanent solution, is to cut out a small piece of plastic from some kind of food container to use as a pad that can fit inside of the cap. In both cases, these easy fixes can extend the life of the bottle while helping you to conserve water.
More Bottle Tricks
You can also strengthen the walls of flimsy plastic drink bottles by covering them with a generous amount of duct tape. This trick will also make the bottles easier to hold, and it can also prevent sunlight from penetrating the plastic and encouraging the development of bacteria. Finally, you now have a whole bunch of duct tape that you can use in an emergency, as long as you don’t lose the bottle.
One way to minimize the chances of losing the bottle is to tie a string around the neck that can then be attached to your belt or backpack.
Camp Stove Efficiency
Camp stoves are an excellent addition to any bug out bag, but they also burn through a lot of fuel in a short amount of time. One way to increase heat while reducing fuel consumption is to make a foil wall that covers at least half of the stove. The foil will trap heat that would otherwise escape into the air, and it will reflect it back to your pot or pan.
Lighter Guard
One of the most annoying problems with disposable lighters is that the thumb trigger can accidentally become depressed and vent the fuel inside. This happens more often than a lot of people think, and it’s not uncommon to reach into a backpack or bug out bag for a lighter only to find out that the fuel is gone. One of the easiest ways to prevent this from happening is to attach a small zip-tie beneath the trigger to keep it in place. When ready to use, just slide the tie onto the shaft of the lighter, and you’re good to go. Slide it up when finished, and you won’t have to worry about accidental venting again.
Trick Birthday Candles
While there are plenty of tried-and-true methods for starting fires in windy or wet conditions, trick birthday candles may also help. They’re inexpensive, compact, and there’s no preparation involved. Just light them up, and with any luck the flame will re-ignite after being extinguished by gusts of wind or rain.
These simple solutions can help you to stretch resources while making life easier to contend with during a crisis. File these ideas away in your survival bag of tricks, because you never know when you can use them to your advantage in the field.
