Rubber bands are one of the most versatile items in anyone’s survival kit. They are cheap, lightweight, and take up minimal space, while their uses are endless. In this post, we will explore 20 survival uses for rubber bands that you should know about.
1. Fire Starter: One of the best survival uses for rubber bands is fire starting. Rub the rubber band back and forth against a piece of wood, and it will create enough heat and friction to start a fire.
2. DIY Slingshot: You can use a rubber band and a forked stick to make a DIY slingshot, which can help you hunt small game for food.
3. Gear Repair: Rubber bands can be used to repair everything from tents to backpacks. Simply wrap the rubber band tightly around the damaged area to keep it in place.
4. Securing Food: If you have a food container that doesn’t seal properly, use a rubber band to keep the lid tight and prevent bugs and animals from getting in.
5. Improvised Tourniquet: If someone is bleeding heavily, a rubber band can be used as an improvised tourniquet to stop the bleeding until medical help arrives.
6. Improvised Compass: Use a rubber band and a straight twig to make a DIY compass, which can help you navigate and find your way out of the wilderness.
7. Keeping Matches Dry: Wrap a rubber band tightly around a matchbox to keep the matches dry and prevent them from getting wet.
8. Holding Fishing Rods: Use rubber bands to hold fishing rods together when not in use.
9. Securing Clothing: If you don’t have a belt, use a rubber band to secure your clothing and keep your pants up.
10. Improvised Rope: If you need a quick and easy rope, twist several rubber bands together to create a strong and durable cord.
11. Keeping Tools Together: Wrap rubber bands around your tools to keep them together and prevent them from getting lost.
12. Tie Down Tarps: Use rubber bands to tie down tarps and secure them in place.
13. Hanging Food: Wrap a rubber band tightly around food bags to prevent them from falling and spilling their contents.
14. Keeping Keys Together: Put rubber bands around your keys to keep them together and prevent them from getting lost.
15. Improvised Water Filtration: You can use a rubber band as an improvised water filter. Wrap a piece of cloth around the rubber band and use it to strain out sediment and other contaminants from the water.
16. Improvised Bow Drill: Use a rubber band and a straight stick to make an improvised bow drill fire starter.
17. Improvised Suction Cup: Cut a rubber band in half and tie one end to something you need to lift. Stretch the rubber band out and then release it, and it will create suction, allowing you to lift and move heavy objects.
18. Improvised Handcuffs: In a survival situation, you may need to restrain someone who poses a threat to your safety. Use rubber bands to make improvised handcuffs to keep them under control.
19. Improvised Weight: Tie a rubber band around a small rock or other heavy object to make an improvised weight for lifting and strength training exercises.
20. Use as a Clothespin: If you need to dry clothes in the wilderness, use rubber bands to attach them to a line or tree branch and keep them in place.
In conclusion, rubber bands are an essential tool for any survival kit. They are lightweight, cheap, and have multiple survival uses that can help you in a variety of situations. Whether you need to start a fire, repair your gear, or improvise tools and weapons, rubber bands are one of the most versatile items you can have. Make sure to stock up on them before heading out into the wilderness, as you never know when they may come in handy.
