CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED; thank you kindly for your participation!!
(WINNERS have now been posted to the thread...last post, located on page 3)
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS CONTEST...
Sure, you can use a bra as a water-filter, but how ELSE can it save your life in the wild?
Take Bear's top 10 household items that can save your life in the wild -- make-up mirror, credit card, bra, lipstick, tampon, shoelace, sock, wristwatch, paper clip and battery -- and come up with your OWN survival uses for each and place them here in this thread; Bear's 10 favorites will win a copy of his latest book, Man vs. Wild: Survival Techniques from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth, hot off the presses! But put on those thinking caps right away - the contest ends May 16, 2008.
Bonus: The first place winner will receive an autographed copy!!
Good Luck
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MvW_Mod_Melissa,
Make-up mirror: reflective SOS signal or use with credit card to magnify light to make fire. (Could also use prescription eyeglasses)
Credit Card: light reflector, cut small bugs with it to eat, or dig for earthworms for fishing
bra - sling shot to catch small prey, head gear to keep the sun off your eyes
lipstick - can write whereabouts on smooth surface for rescuers to find you, if the lipstick is a dark shade, can reduce glare by drawing lines under eyes, general moisturizer
tampon - absorbs blood for deep wounds, absorbs liquid to keep hydrated, and tinder for fire. You could eat it just to fill you up. Keep the string for fire.
shoelace - make a fire using the spindle method or use it to fish with along with the paperclip
sock - fill it with water, or if in the winter, fill with snow, let it melt and suck the water through the sock. Could also use it as a weapon by filling it with rocks and flinging it at small animals or larger ones.
wristwatch - convert into a simple compass. You could also use it to time your pace per hour. Write the pace per hour on a smooth surface with your lipstick in hopes that the ranger finds you. Helps you keep track of time to know when to stop and build a shelter.
paperclip - toothpick, fish hook, bug piercer, tweezer, possible aide in cutting meat
You only have 9 items listed. Will the winners be determined by the posters with the best cumulative ideas or the top ten individual ideas? Do the uses have to be proven to work or simply things that may or may not actually work?
Mirror- signaling device, can be broken and shards used for cutting
Credit card- fabricate gorge type fishing hooks, can be heated and then “stretched” to make short but strong threads for sutures ect.; edge can be filed on a rock to make a crude cutting edge; purchasing an avocado and mayonnaise sandwich from the lunch cart (couldn’t resist)
Bra-underwire & straps can be used to make repairs on equipment or lash together branches for shelter/tourniquet/stretcher.
Lipstick- marking direction of travel for S&R; contains oils and waxes so can be mixed with fine tinder (such as cotton from a tampon) so that it will burn longer and even if slightly damp; plastic case can be used for the same things as the credit card
Tampon- cotton for tinder, applicator for drinking straw (with cotton will filter particulate matter), string for lashing
Shoelace- snares; lashing; can be unraveled and finer sting used for sutures, lightweight fishing line, and repair of clothing/equipment
Sock- lint pulled off for tinder (cotton/wool socks only); unraveled (see shoelace); can be used as a holding device for any insects/small animals so that you can carry them with you until you can PROPERLY COOK them.
Wristwatch- Get bearings, tell time (useful in determining distance traveled)
Paperclip- fish hook, equipment repair, needle for repair/suture
Battery- along with a small bit of wire can be used to magnetize a needle for the purpose of making a compass. Along with some fine steel wool it can be used to start a fire. If disassembled the manganese dioxide/graphite mixture can be used in the same way as the lipstick to mark your direction of travel
Make-up Mirror: Signaling, broken to make arrowheads that can be fixed onto a spear point, good for getting a good look at places that are hard to look at (look for ticks, rashes, cuts...), see around corners in the right (or wrong, lol) situation.
Credit Card: Get through some locked doors, sharpened as a toothpick, if going out of a self-locking door, the kind you push to open, you can place the card the right way so the door doesn't lock (urban survival) so you can go out and come back in whenever.
Bra: Collect berries/bugs to eat, sling (weapon), use as sunglasses if you can see through them and you're out in the desert, on the water or on snow, turn a tree into a "WILSON!" like character to lift your spirits, heheh, lashing, knee pads? Cant think of anything else haha
Lipstick: Use as writing utensil until empty, then use to hold insects for bait to be used later.
Tampon: Tinder, ear plugs if you have a firearm, nose plugs for bloody nose... tinder...
Shoelace: Lashing, fire-bow cord, sling when combined with braw (weapon), snare/trap trigger, replacement band for wristwatch...
Sock: Tinder, gather edibles, filter water, rear-end wiper aka a**rag (wash off after use), first aid uses, put rock inside and use as weapon...
Wristwatch: If bright colored: Use to attract fish/bait with paper clip or whatever as hook, get bearings, when dead, magnetize hands to be used as compass, bribe/barter...
Paper clip: Hook, needle, compass, lock pick...
Battery: Goal setter: "I HAVE to dispose of this battery the RIGHT way! I WILL survive and get this battery disposed of correctly, no matter what it takes!"
Originally posted by KKM: Make-up mirror: reflective SOS signal or use with credit card to magnify light to make fire. (Could also use prescription eyeglasses)
Credit Card: light reflector, cut small bugs with it to eat, or dig for earthworms for fishing
bra - sling shot to catch small prey, head gear to keep the sun off your eyes
lipstick - can write whereabouts on smooth surface for rescuers to find you, if the lipstick is a dark shade, can reduce glare by drawing lines under eyes, general moisturizer
tampon - absorbs blood for deep wounds, absorbs liquid to keep hydrated, and tinder for fire. You could eat it just to fill you up. Keep the string for fire.
shoelace - make a fire using the spindle method or use it to fish with along with the paperclip
sock - fill it with water, or if in the winter, fill with snow, let it melt and suck the water through the sock. Could also use it as a weapon by filling it with rocks and flinging it at small animals or larger ones.
wristwatch - convert into a simple compass. You could also use it to time your pace per hour. Write the pace per hour on a smooth surface with your lipstick in hopes that the ranger finds you. Helps you keep track of time to know when to stop and build a shelter.
paperclip - toothpick, fish hook, bug piercer, tweezer, possible aide in cutting meat
I forgot the battery - I guess you could use break it apart and use the chemicals for fire. The metal portions could be used as a small knife to cut things.
I do want to add that you could use the bra as earmuffs and that the sock can be used as a bandage or sling if you break your arm.
Originally posted by bc164v2.0: Will the winners be determined by the posters with the best cumulative ideas or the top ten individual ideas? Do the uses have to be proven to work or simply things that may or may not actually work?
Bear will choose the winners. They can be cumulative or individual. They should be things that work, but emphasis is on finding imaginative uses for them!!
make-up mirror, credit card, bra, lipstick, tampon, shoelace, sock, wristwatch, paper clip and battery
1: Make-up mirror.
A make-up mirror can be used to cut up food if you don’t happen to have a knife with you. Place the mirror under a leaf or a cloth (for protection) then hit the top, not too hard with a rock. The mirror will break and you should have a somewhat sharp edge that you can use for cutting up food.
2: Credit card.
The credit card could be a great way to help you dig! If you need to dig in a “soft” area it would be saving the tips of your fingers from scrapes/cuts or from getting too dirty. The credit card is about the length of your fingers across and is nice and stiff, the perfect helpful hand!
3: Bra.
Bra could be used for a number of things but the one that comes to mind is using it as a type of gas mask. Many times you can come across bad smelling or even harmful fumes, like smoke from a forest fire when you are out in the wild. If you put one of the “cups” over your lips and nose it will help shield your lungs.
4: Lipstick.
If you need to go look for help but are afraid no one would find you, you can leave them a trail of lipstick signs pointing in the direction you are going throughout the forest/wild. You can even leave a short note on what injuries you might have and what time you left that location.
5: Tampon.
Lets say you get a cut on your finger or toe, and you don’t have a first aid kit, you can take out the tampon and shred it into smaller pieces, you put the cotton part over the cut to, yes, stop the bleeding then take the string of the tampon to tie (not too tightly) around your finger or toe to keep the cotton band aid in place.
6: Shoelace.
In the wild means you are often around wild animals. When you have food you need to keep it away from the animals. A shoelace is great for that. You can tie your shoelace around your food then climb a tree and hang the food up (don’t sleep under your food).
7: Sock.
If you have children, like I do, most likely you will have them with you in the wild. If need be you would have to carry them. My three year old even gets tired holding on while I am caring her. While giving her/him a piggy back ride, you can take one sock and put the middle under the bottom of her butt, then wrap it around your waist, take the shoelaces and use them to tie the ends of the sock together in the front of you. Take the other sock and put across her back and just under her arm pits, the ends of the sock coming right up on top of your shoulders, again take a shoelace and tie the ends of that sock together. If you did it right you should have been able to add a little support for your child giving her/him a chance to get in a real rest! (Make sure your naught are tight.)
8: Wrist watch.
Even if you are lost, you most likely know a little about the area you are in, like about how far you are from civilization, 8 miles, 7 miles or maybe 87 miles! Either way a watch can help estimate how long it will take you to get back to civilization. Take note of the time when you start walking, write it down with your lipstick if you need to. After you walk about a mile (count you steps to find a mile) then look at the time again. Calculate your time to get a miles per hour. Lets say you find out you are walking a slow on average 2 mph and you have 6 more miles until you reach civilization you know it will tale you 3 hours to reach your destination (about). This is a good tool for you because now you know if you have time left in the day to reach civilization, if your going to need to catch food or set up camp. Think of it as a type of planner.
9: Paperclip.
Paper clips are a pretty simple little tool. You can use them to get a splinter out of your hand or foot or maybe even for flossing your teeth after you eat whatever it is you caught, that would help to left your spirits when you don’t happen to have a tooth brush around.
10: Battery.
I would use the battery as a fishing line weight, along with the shoe string as the fishing line itself, in conjunction with the tampon applicator as the fishing line float and the paperclip for the fish hook.
Make-up Mirror: Signaling, fire, can be broken into cutting utensils, flat surface for holding things (such as small objects for sutures or whatever else you dont want to lose), pry things apart...
Bra: water filter, hold things, underwire for fishing, fabric for fires, fabric torn apart for sutures, wires broken down for fish hooks, wire broken down for needles, wire for fires, fabric for bandaging, fabric is edible, can be used for shade for eyes, sling for weapon...
lipstick: writing utensil, used for burning, sun block, holder for bait
tampon: absorbant for blood, absorbs water, fires, edible if necessary...
shoelace: fishing, lashing, sewing large objects together, sewing in general, sutures, used for holding splints together, tie with shards of mirror and a stick to make a spear...
sock: water filter, snow melter, hat (if in cold climate), scarf (if in cold climate), gloves for picking up something hot or that may sting/bite you, sewing, holding bait, weapon, fabric for fires, fabric is edible, strings can be pulled out and tied together for a longer fishing line...
wristwatch: compass, keep track of when you should stop for the night, keep track of when you should stop for a break, glass for small cutting, strap for holding things together, glass for magnification and fire, the watch without the strap could be put in the sock and thrown for a very awkward weapon. if it has a leather strap the leather can be eaten...
paperclip: toothpick, fishing line, sutures, put with the shoelace, can be used to string up fish so you can keep them alive for later, fires, cooking/holding insects...
battery: fire, metal can be used for cutting, depending on size it can be put in sock for a weapon...
bra: use as a sling, taken apart and use underwire for fishing lures, use padding as a pillow for sleeping or tinder for a fire or even use as motivation to get back home to whom ever wears the bra
lipstick: draw map on where u are or may be going, paint face to keep from sunburn, or write W.W.B.D (what would Bear do) for motivation
tampon: use as tinder, guaze for wounds
shoelace: snare, fishing along with paper clip as hook and battery as a sinker, use bra and lace together to make a sling to kill small animals for food
sock: cut apart and tie to sticks with shoelace and use as a small net to catch fish, cover a wound, or use as gloves to keep hands warm
wristwatch: tell time, if it doesnt work take apart and use the hands to tell north,
paper clip: fish hook, sew torn clothing together with shoelace, sew together a wound, toothpick
battery: if its a automotive battery you can use the underwire from the bra and touch the post together and make a spark to start a fire, if its small battery use as a weight for a sling, open and maybe use the chemicals to start a fire
make-up:camoflouge/use the mirror for signaling/tinder/use the glass as a knife
mirror:use as a knife/signaling/speartip or arrow tip/
credit card:shovel/fishing lure/signaling/knife/spear or arrow tip/
bra:use the metal or plastic as a hook or needle for first aid/use the alastic for sling shot/use cup as part of sling with shoelace/compress for first aid/water filter/cloth for tinder/take apart for string for fishing or suture/use metal(if it as it) to make compass along with battery
lipstick:lip moisturizer/if dark use as camoflouge/mark your trail with/put under eyes for glare
tampon:tinder/bobber for fishing/help with water filter/use string to tie/first aid/
shoelace:use with sock,or bra cups to make a sling/tie mirror knife to stick/make a bow/use to make fire bow/fishing line/use for suture if unwound/use to hold arm(if injured/make a tourniquet/use a part of trap
sock: use as glove/headband(if long enough)/carry things/use as part of trap/water filter/use as toliet paper/ti to shoelace to make a sling/first aid compress/use a signal/
wristwatch:tell distance/tell direction/use glass to make fire/
paperclip:use with battery to make fire/use with battery to make compass/needle/fishing hook/tweezers/
battery:use paperclip to start fire/magnatize paperclip to amke a compass/
make-up mirror- as a light reflecter. If the sun is bright enough use it to angle the sun to heat ones tinder.
Credit Card- can be cut into a fishing lure. It also can be cut into many small tools such as eating utensils,fishing spear and so forth.
Bra- can clean water. One can use the cloth part to hold materials and supplies. One can use the wire inside spear,arrow or fishing point. One could also use the cloth to use as rope.
Lipstick- You could use the container for supplies and such. You might even need to write something so you could use it for that also.
Tampon- wrapper for water proofing small supplies and in some the insides for tinder.
Shoelace- use it for string. Make snares and some traps. Tie tools and even help to make a shelter.
Sock- Fishing net, water purifier also for a container or sack like object.
Wristwatch- use the glass for a reflecter and to help start a fire in very sunny areas. Use the band to bundle kindilling.
Paper clip- Use for a fishing hook. Or a dart and to attach edible plants.
battery- some can be used to create sparks on rocks to create a fire.
Top Ten Household Items That Could Save Your Life In The Wild.
10. Make-up mirror: Will reflect the sun and can be used to signal an airplane.
9. Credit card: Can be used to cut or, if it includes a reflective hologram, can signal for help.
8. Bra: Can be used as a water filter.
7. Lipstick: Can be used to write SOS on the roof of your car or on some nearby rocks.
6. Tampon: Will make good tinder if it is broken up into fuzz.
5. Shoelace: Can be used to tie sticks and other items together to make shelter or, can be used to make snares to catch hares.
4. Sock: Can be used to filter water or, if on a glacier, can be used as a crampon.
3. Wristwatch: Can be used to determine a north-south line by pointing the hour hand at the sun, and creating an imaginary line halfway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock, that is then your north-south line.
2. Paper clip: Can be used to make a makeshift compass by filling up something that would hold water, placing a leaf onto the water, magnetizing the paper clip, then putting the paper clip onto the leaf.
1. Battery: You can cross with wire to generate a spark to start a fire.
The Top Ten Household Items That Could Save Your Life in the Wild!
10. Make-up mirror: Reflects the sun, signaling to airplanes.
9. Credit card: Can be used to cut or, if it includes a reflective hologram, can signal for help.
8. Bra: Serves as water filter.
7. Lipstick: Can be used to write SOS on the top of your car or neighboring rocks.
6. Tampon: Serves as tinder once broken up into fuzz.
5. Shoelace: Binds sticks and other items together to create shelter.
4. Sock: Can also filter water.
3. Wristwatch: Determine direction by pointing the hour hand at the sun and form an imaginary line through the center of the "wedge" created between the hour hand and 12 o'clock -- that is your north-south line.
2. Paper clip: When magnetized, makes a makeshift compass.
1. Battery: Cross with wire to generate a spark in order to start a fire.
make-up mirror - Break into pieces (the larger the better) Use largest piece as a blade, very sharp) use the smaller pieces for signalling by using sap from a tree to adhere them (matte side down)to a larger piece of bark in various angles...disco ball signal effect) when wiggled...ohhhh...sparkly
credit card - Can be used to rent hotel rooms...LOL...just kidding Bear...narrow profile can be used to separate fibrous plant threads (wont cut them), to be further used for various applications (sewing of clothes, self...etc)
bra - cups can be used to strain sediment from drinking water. The elastic bands could be used in conjunction with the mirror pieces if fashioned with one elastic band on each side (shiny and matte) then spun to create strobe effect.
lipstick - Can be used to ease chaffing (contains all sorts of oils and waxes) It could also be eaten to ease constipation it often contains castor oil. (Constipation can be a good thing in the woods sometimes though , can be used to mark similar looking areas, to make sure you are not walking in circles and to denote path taken by possible S.A.R. resources.
tampon - Used as a medical dressing to staunch the flow of blood in large wounds. also cotton tinder for fire starting.
shoelace - bow-string (fire and hunting) tourniquet, binding various things together.
sock - Place items in sock in this order (about a handfull of everything but ashes )sand, fire ashes, small stones, then larger stones. Pour water from top, and use device to strain out impurities.
wristwatch - Obvious compass applications
paper clip (sharpened on rock) needle or lance for boils,
Battery (Charged)- Dropped in drinking water container, current will pass through it, possibly killing creepy crawlies in it.
Battery (Dead) Most have a metallic casing, could be smashed...carefully...then metal could be used for a BUNCH of things (Blades, signalling, plate for cooking....whatever.
1: Make-up mirror. If you have an American girlfriend with you, you’ll first want to break this and discard -- keep the positive reinforcements going through out your journey… “Yes darling, you’re still looking good.”
2: Credit card. This should be the first thing you burn. Careful, if the debt didn’t get you already, the plastic fumes might.
3: Bra. Let loose, makes a great slingshot to fend off nosey animals.
4: Lipstick. Use as theatrical make-up, remember, you have to make it fun in order to keep your morale up.
5: Tampon. Holds more water than a canteen.
6: Shoelace. Great jump rope. Also, makes a wonder back scratcher.
7: Sock. If feeling faint, have a sniff – great way to arouse consciousness.
8: Wrist watch. You can take this apart as you’ve probably kissed your day job goodbye by now. Use the tiny hands as toothpick and also great to shape your cuticles and removing grit from below your fingernails. Also, can be used as a luxurious scratching device.
9: Paperclip. Great for carving initials and other messages into trees, and also, when stretched out and dangled from the mouth makes you look tough and rugged.
10: Battery. Great little stimulant - touch your tongue on the positive end give you a little uplifting surge.
1) Make-up Mirror: #1-signaling device, use it to frighten off larger game, if broken use the sharp edges as a cutting instrument.
2) Credit card-cut into strips and fashion a hook for fishing, use the reflective part as a lure. The plastic could be fashioned into a saw blade for cutting non-hard items, fashion into a sharp,pointed spear for fishing or frog gigging
3) Bra-as mentioned-use both cups as a two staged water filter. Tear out the inside and use as fire tender, use the elastic bands as a means to propell a spear for spear fishing, use the clasps for hooks, use the underwire (larger breasts) for hooks, compass needles, any numerous uses to fix downed equipment. Tear into long strips and use as lashing material. Perhaps even the string on a firebow.
4) lipstick-if it is oil based it can be used to start a fire. Rubbed on your face it could be used as a sunscreen, or perhaps a bug repellent if it is unscented. Use the canister the lipstick came in to fashion more fishing hooks. If the canister is reflective use it as a tiny signalling device.
5) Tampon-the cotton material is great for catching a spark. Use the inside material for open wonds to blot blood (pads work better). Use the string for obvious reasons. If the outside container is plastic then cut it into strips, and use for more lures, or fish hooks. Stick up your nose to stop a bloody nose. Small filter for taking out sediment for drinking.
6)Shoelace-firebow string, but after it is rolled up more for strength. If you have a area where water is trickling, put it in the trickle, and put the other end in a drinking container. Capillary action will draw the water down the string into the container. Use the string to lash things. Use the string as a last resort for emergency tourniquet.
7) Sock-filtering sediment out of dirty water. If it is cotton (which it shouldn't be, but..) scrape some fibers off to use as tinder to catch a spark. Cut the sock into strips and use it to make cordage. Put over your boots to gain traction over ice (one of the episodes). Put over your hands for gloves. Might be able to use it to catch small critters such as scorpions.
8) Wristwatch-obviously for telling time. Used to tell direction. Mine can be used as a compass, barometer, themometer, stopwatch, chronograph. Some can be used as a GPS. If it is analog then you can pry the face plate off, and use it as a reflector for magnifying to start a fire. Pry the arms off, and use to put into water on a leaf to make a type of compass. Use the clasps as a makeshift fish hook or lure.
9) Paperclip-sharpen into a fish hook. Cut into many pieces to make many fish hooks. Cut off short, and rub against silk or your hair to make the needle for a water compass.
10) Battery-If it is charged use it for its intended use. If you are stranded then you can tear the thing apart, and use the core as a pencil to write with. The carbon rod can also be crushed down and used as a water filter. Use the charcoal like pot ash from a fire to help sooth upset stomach from drinking un-purified/filterd water. Use the metal outside wrappings to make a reflective fishing lure, or make a fish hook. Depending on the type of paste inside, the lithium might react with water that could be ignited to start a fire. The lithium oxidizes quickly, and even reacts with the nitrogen in the air. An amount of gas captured in a container/bag could be ignited.
Topic Closed
, can be used to mark similar looking areas, to make sure you are not walking in circles and to denote path taken by possible S.A.R. resources.