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Apartment Prepping: Urban Survival

The decision to prep has never been so obvious. Someone will turn on the television and in about 5 minutes of watching see 50 reasons they should’ve started yesterday. However, if you live in an apartment, this can be a daunting task. According to RentCafe, the average size of a new apartment in 2018 was only 941 square feet. Some may be larger and some may be smaller but on average the size is down 5% from ten years ago. As a prepper, you can never have enough space for storage. Storage is the most obvious obstacle for apartment preppers. This can be a daunting task to overcome if you think about storage in a typical sense. Nothing about apartment prepping is typical so before planning anything throw out typical.

First Things First

There are actually a few things you can look for when picking an apartment that can make your prepping situation a lot more ideal. If you can move to a new unit in your building without breaking the lease or if you are in the market for a new apartment look for these amenities:

Above Ground Floor Apartment

I know, it will be a pain in the rear to carry groceries and goods up a flight of stairs but in the long run, floor two and up is the way to go for a few reasons. Apartments above ground level will fare much better during a flood than those on the ground level. Units on the first floor can also be harder to secure than those higher in the building. However, for emergency escape reasons, I would limit my choices to floors two through five

Apartment With A Patio

Patios can be an amazing resource. Someone can use these small outdoor spaces for growing vegetables and fruit in pots. This is also an amazing area for rain collection and communication antennas. In the direst of situations, patios work really well for elevated defensive positions. Whether or not you have a patio, exterior units are much safer for bugging in because of their access to exterior escape routes.

Garages

Apartment Garage

Buildings that offer garages are also a big plus and should go to the top of your list if you are shopping for a new place. If your current building has garages, inquire about the cost of adding one to your lease. Other than the obvious storage of your vehicle, these spaces are amazing storage areas for dry goods and items that do not require climate control.

Storage Tricks For Small Spaces

Unless you want to use MRE boxes as a couch and stacked ammo cans as your new TV stand, there will be limited space to work with. Start by examining your entire apartment looking for areas that contain space you may not be using. For example, inside couches, under couches, above kitchen cabinets, the floor space in closets, under beds and in between mattresses. Depending on your lease limitations, you may also suspend racks and shelves in the ceiling of rooms which contain a ton of unused space. Extra storage is also the number one reason to look for buildings that offer garages. If your building doesn’t, you can also look into leasing a unit that has an extra bedroom.

When you are considering your space also look for items that are no longer used or wasting space. Sell these items to buy more preps or invest in additional storage options. Apps like LetGo and the Facebook marketplace are great avenues for getting rid of unused items. Once you have your storage areas identified and have pared down your junk, the next focus should be how items are being stored. Pack clothes and blankets with a vacuum seal so they are as thin as possible. Your biggest goal when dealing with store-bought items is stripping them down to their smallest packaged form. A good example of this would be, pulling out the cardboard core or toilet paper rolls so it can be stored flat. When using boxes or totes you need to use the same type and style as much as possible to ensure that your crated items can stack as neatly as possible.

Water

Bathtub Water

In the most ideal temperatures and scenarios, you will only be able to survive three to five days without hydrating. That is why water is the most important prep whether you are in an apartment, a tent or a two thousand square foot house. Water sold in bottles and plastic jugs is great because it’s inexpensive and can store in the package for long periods of time. I would recommend storing at least two weeks worth in this manner and then have other planned sources for longer periods. When an event ramps up quickly with no warning, your bathtub is a great place to store fresh water.

The average bathtub is around 110 gallons which means your tub could provide you with adequate drinking water for one person for a staggering 220 days. There are a lot of products on the market that will line your tub and before you fill it or you can clean it really well prior to filling it up. An often overlooked item for water is your hot water heater. You need to know if your unit has its own or if there is a community hot water source. If your building has hot water heaters for every apartment, this is another 40 to 50 gallons of clean water you may have for use. Finally, If you can rent a unit that has a patio or balcony you can use this area for water collection.

Food

Patio Garden — Sustainable agriculture such as growing red tomatoes and zucchini in pots on the terrace of the apartment and a yellow watering can

There are literally hundreds of ways you can food prep. The lack of private outdoor space in an apartment definitely limits your options. Most of the time, if you live in a single family home you can grow a full-sized garden and raise small animals, chickens goats, etc. Outside of rare cases, this is impossible in an apartment. This means that most of your food will be from a store and will need its own storage place. With this in mind, the food with the smallest packaged size will be best. Canned goods are great because they last a long time and can stack neatly just about anywhere. As discussed above, vacuum sealing is also a great option because vacuum sealing typically creates a thinner packaging.

I wouldn’t rule out freeze-dried foods, but because of their typically bulky packaging, I would transfer these items to a more storage-friendly option. You may not have the garden space that a prepper in a single-family home has, but you can still grow. We can grow many herbs and spices on window seals. There are also a lot of fruits and vegetables you can grow in pots with little required space. Experiment now! Camping stoves are great for food preparation in times with no electricity or gas service. Propane grills are also a great option, but must only be used outdoors and can create an OPSEC issue.

Security Concerns

Apartment Security

In an apartment, security can also be a difficult box to check when reviewing your plan. You could be potentially sharing a wall with the enemy depending on what shit has hit your fan. Your lease is more than likely going to prohibit any structural changes that will make your unit more secure.

First things first, find a wireless security system that has entry sensors and an audible alarm. It is imperative that the system is wireless so you do not have to run wires in the walls and across rooms. The entry sensors are your first line of defense. If an unwanted guest will enter you want to know ASAP. Hopefully, you could find a unit above ground level and do not have to worry as much about windows. I would still highly recommend putting sensors on every potential point of entry. They are usually very inexpensive and a must-have. Most systems have a plethora of add-ons to choose from and you can purchase what makes the most sense for your situation. One of the big advantages apartments have is that typically they only have one entry/exit door. This allows you to focus all of your resources on defending that point. There are a lot of products on the market that will secure your door with no permanent modifications needed. Look into doorknob braces. They are very inexpensive and effective.

Safety Concerns

You may also consider asking your building manager what modifications you can make to your locks and mechanisms without violating your lease. An often overlooked item for preppers in apartments, townhomes, and condos is downrange wall penetration. Your neighbors could be friends, foes or oblivious. You do not want your stray rounds penetrating the walls of your apartment and striking anyone or anything you did not intend on shooting. Your building manager will tell you what separates each unit, and once you know this, you can select the rounds to use at home. The downside of one entry and exit point is limited emergency egress options. Make sure you have plans to escape if the front door is not safe or unusable. Also, if you take my advice and lease a space above the ground floor, it is imperative you have a safety ladder to climb down. This is the main reason I do not recommend going above the fifth floor.

Power Outages And Alternate Supplies

Power Outage

A major concern for all apartment dwellers should be their power source and alternatives. Unlike in a single family home, in an apartment, if something happens to the electricity in one unit, it can affect the entire floor. In the worst of scenarios, they could shut the entire building down. Hardline generators are out of the question which means you will have to rely on portable generators. You should never use generators indoors under any circumstances, this is another reason I strongly recommend patio units. However, even with a patio, most generators will pose the same two issues.

First, and most important is fuel. Where will you store fuel for your generator? If you have a garage, you could store it here, but then you will more than likely be carrying it back and forth which could be out of the question. The other is the sound that generators produce during operation. You can now buy much quieter units, but at a high price tag and they still require fuel. The only option would be a solar-powered generator. They are becoming more and more common and the prices are coming down rapidly as the technology becomes more prevalent.

Community Awareness

A unique aspect of apartment living is the sense of community found in most complexes. This can be a huge asset in your prepping because without asking anything out of the ordinary you can usually find a lot about your neighbors if you pay attention. What newspapers do they receive? Do they have any statement type bumper stickers on their vehicles? Have you seen them carrying gun cases in and out of their homes? Anything interesting on their patio you can identify as an asset or liability during a SHTF situation? The list literally goes on and on and you can find out a lot of very interesting things without being a total creep.

On that same note though, they may be looking at you in the same ways so OPSEC is critical. If your complex or building hosts any community functions, you need to strongly consider attending a few. Any time you can spend with your neighbors prior to a situation will be critical in determining who’s who. If you can find other like-minded individuals in your building or even on your floor, you may even reduce the stresses of prepping in an apartment by assigning responsibilities to different people. Whether you take advantage to group prep opportunities or remain a lone wolf, knowing who surrounds you is imperative.

Conclusion

When prepping for a SHTF situation, there is no one size fits all option. Even two people living in the same apartment building and the same size unit will have different wants and needs. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t fall victim to the “can’t attitude”. There is always a way and considering what’s at stake, if you stop and think about your particular situation logically you will always find a way.

To learn more about growing food indoors and in smaller spaces, click here and if you'd like to read more about other survival/prepper based practices you can do in your apartment home look over our homesteading article here!

Apartment

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

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Homemade Weapons You Can DIY To Awaken Your Inner Caveman

Learn to make your own homemade weapons so you’ll have a fighting chance in a survival situation where all you have is nature.

[You Get One FREE] Weird Little Knife Drives TSA Crazy!

How to Make Homemade Weapons

Why Should You Learn to Make Homemade Weapons?

Let’s say you got lost in the wild, and you somehow forgot or lost your Cold Steel Leatherneck Tanto 39LSFT (or whichever is the best survival knife for you). What do you do?

While your situation is most likely not quite as bad as Tom Hanks had it in Castaway, let’s face it. The only way you’re gonna get out of this situation in good shape is to let out your inner caveman.

Let me explain. Our very primitive ancestors lived in a time when every day was a survival situation. Any tools or weapons they needed had to be made from scratch.

So, should you be unlucky enough to have only the shirt on your back while you’re lost in the wilderness, you’ll have to follow suit. Let the training of your inner caveman begin.

Today’s lesson: how to make DIY weapons in the wild with only the resources nature provided you.

How to Make a Knife | Homemade Weapons

Having a knife, any kind of knife is probably one of the best things to happen should you suddenly find yourself in a survival situation. You can use it to help you find food, build a shelter, and defend yourself against wild animals.

So it’s highly fortunate nature is waiting like a momma at a craft table with lots of materials you can use to create one.

1. Stone Knives

Bone, shell, bamboo, wood, or even an old aluminum beer can may work to perform the puncturing function of a blade. You know you’ve seen these a million times when you’re out hiking.

They’re easy to crack or break or shape into a fairly sharp point which will do in a pinch. Unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to use a chicken bone or an expertly-shaped aluminum can point to skin, chop, baton, or any of the other necessary functions of a survival knife.

This is where the stone comes into play. I’ll start by saying making a knife out of stone isn’t easy, but it can be done.

You’ll need three things: a core rock, a hammerstone, and a pressure flaker. Remember, you’re going to be smashing these together in true caveman fashion.

So, having stones you can reasonably grip in each hand is going to make your life a lot easier. Although, it’s definitely an option to stand poised over one rock smashing down on it.

You, with a two-hand grip, pounding until you’ve chipped away at it a bit. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

2. The Core Rock

rock formation background | Homemade Weapons You Can DIY To Awaken Your Inner Caveman | homemade weapons | deadliest ancient weapons

The core rock is what you’ll be making into a blade. Find any large stone, preferably made from obsidian, slate, chert, or flint with a relatively flat side.

In case you weren’t a rock collector in any of your previous lives, here’s another way to decide if a rock meets the requirements for good knife-making material. Tap or click a rock together with another rock and listen for a ringing sound (like glass).

The more rock sounds like glass, the better it is as a material for your core rock. If you can, choose a rock which is already a bit sharp to reduce the amount of time you’ll need to shape it.

3. The Hammerstone

The hammerstone is a medium-sized, spherical rock, preferably made of granite. It will be used to smash, chisel, chip and shape the core rock.

You’ll be using it to chip off pieces of the core stone and to narrow the edges to a blade shape.

4. The Pressure Flaker

The pressure flaker, or flaking tool, is a rock with a sharp point to help you refine the blade’s edges. You’ll use your flaking tool after you’ve thinned the edges of the stone with the hammer stone to make the “blade” sharper.

When you start making your knife, you’ll want to be sure to wet the core stone to shorten the time it takes to shape it into a blade. Begin by striking glancing blows near the edge of the core rock with the hammerstone.

Chip away at the core rock until you get the general shape of a blade. Then, use the flaking tool to refine the edges you need to sharpen.

You can also use a stone with a rough surface such as a sandstone to sharpen the edge. Use some rope, cloth, or leather to lash the base and create a handle.

If you are having troubling shaping the rock into a knife, you can opt to create stone blades instead. Check out the videos below to learn how:

Part One:

Part Two:

How to Make a Spear | Homemade Weapons

south african zulu spear | Homemade Weapons You Can DIY To Awaken Your Inner Caveman | homemade weapons | deadliest ancient weapons

We’ve talked about how to make a spear using your best survival knife in a previous article. The same principle applies here.

Even without your Cold Steel Leatherneck Tanto 39LSFT or whichever survival knife you normally bring with you, you can still make a spear using your newly made stone knife. To make a spear, you’ll need to find a five-foot-long stick tough enough to endure repeated short or long-distance throws.

First, pick the end of the stick which has a more rounded tip and use your stone knife to start shaving to create a spear. Once you’re done, be sure to heat the spear over some hot coals to make your spear sharper.
As an alternative, you can also make a spear by tying your knife onto a stick. Find a stick which is about an inch wide.
Measure about 2 inches from one end of the stick. Mark the point, then split the stick into two until you reach the 2-inch mark, creating a sort of Y shape.
This will create a space where you can stick your stone knife before you lash it on with some twine, cord, or rope. To lock the blade in place, put some moss or lichen in the remaining space.
If you haven’t had time to fashion your knife out of stone yet, you can also use broken pieces of shell or glass or splintered bamboo or bone and secure it to the end of your stick.
If you find a way to split your stick without a knife, you can insert the splintered bone or bamboo into the wedge and tie it off like you would when turning a knife into a spear.

How to Make a Weighted Club | Homemade Weapons

While sharp pointy tools are all well and good, you can never go wrong with a blunt homemade weapon. You can use it for hammering or bludgeoning something such as a weighted club.

The weighted club could be one of the deadliest ancient weapons. To make one, you’ll need the following: a piece of wood around 14-16 inches, a medium-sized rock, and some rope.

Once you have all the materials, you’ll need to wrap some lashing 6-8 inches from the end of the stick.
Split the same end until you reach the lashing in order to create a V-shaped notch. The rock you picked out should be shorter than the length of the split.
Insert the stone then lash it securely (above, below, and across the stone). The lashing on the stick above the stone clamps both sides of the split together providing the first point of security, so it’s especially important to create a good, tight lashing above the stone.
You’ll want to make sure you bind the split ends securely so the stone won’t fall off whenever you use it to hammer or pound on something.

This video from Wannabe Bushcrafter will show you how to make a bamboo knife:

Now, hopefully, you never find yourself in a situation where making homemade weapons is going to be a necessity for survival. But, if you do find yourself in such a quagmire, this little bit of information and inner caveman training may be what saves your life.

Which of these homemade weapons do you want to make? Tell us your progress in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Go to our Survival Life Store to shop some of our favorites self-defense tools and gear!

***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.***

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 11, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

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5 Home Remedies For Chigger Bites

Know these home remedies for chigger bites, or better yet, avoid the bug's bites in the first place with helpful tips included here!

In this article:

Home Remedies For Chigger Bites

What Is a Chigger, Exactly?

Chiggers are members of the arachnid family. They are extremely tiny, and my guess is you won’t even see them as they jump from the tall grass onto your skin and/or clothing.

Adult chiggers are about 1/60 of an inch and have eight legs. The larvae are red, wingless, six-legged creatures which measure less than 1/150 of an inch.

Because of their red color, you might be able to spot the larvae when they cluster together, especially on white clothing.

What Is the Arachnid Family? It is a large group or class of invertebrate animals where the spiders and scorpions belong.

Where Do Chiggers Live?

Chiggers reside in tall weeds and grass, berry patches, and wooded areas. They could be in your backyard, by the lake, or your favorite hiking trail.

They are most active in summer and fall afternoons – the warmest part of the day.

Identifying Chiggers Bites

Only the larvae bite humans and they tend to choose warm, moist areas of the body.

Chiggers also have claws which help them grab onto your skin. The chigger then attaches its mouth to the skin and injects saliva.

The saliva contains an enzyme which breaks skin cells down to liquid form. Your body responds by hardening skin cells around the saliva, creating a tube (cyclostome) through which the chigger sucks the dissolved skin cells.

Chiggers can stay attached and feeding for several days before falling off.

When the chigger falls off, you are left with reddish bumps. You may notice a bright red dot in the center—this is a remnant of the tube your skin formed in response to the chigger's saliva.

The bumps may look like welts, blisters, pimples, or hives. Bites generally appear in groups and get larger for several days to a week.

While many insects bite exposed skin which is easy to get to, chiggers like to bite in folds of skin as well as places where clothing fits tightly on the skin. Most chigger bites occur around the ankles, waist, armpits, crotch, or behind the knees.

Home Remedies for Chigger Bites

Just remember, no matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH THE BITES! I know, easier said than done. But, breaking the skin on a chigger bite can lead to infection.

Here are 5 home remedies to help with the itching and swelling.

1. Vicks Vapor Rub

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Vicks Vapor Rub can put an end to itchy chigger bites immediately and will even reduce the risk of blisters. It’s the cooling menthol in it which relieves itching by affecting itch receptors in the skin.

Steps:

Take a hot shower (use antibacterial soap.) Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
Take a small amount of the vapor rub and add some table salt to it.
Mix well and apply to the affected area.
Repeat if the swelling continues (otherwise, there is no need to repeat the process)

2. Cold Compress

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A cold compress can help reduce the itching associated with chigger bites. Its numbing effect helps reduce the sensation of itchiness.

Steps:

Wrap some ice cubes in a thin cloth.
Apply the compress to the bites for 10 minutes. Repeat if needed to relieve itching.

3. Baking Soda

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Baking soda is another effective remedy to reduce rashes as well as itchiness. It acts as a natural acid neutralizer which helps relieve itching and reduces the risk of infection.

Steps:

Add 1 cup of baking soda to a bathtub filled with cool water.
Stir well and soak in this water for 15 minutes and pat your skin with a soft towel. (Do this once daily)

Another remedy using baking soda:

Prepare a thin paste of 2 teaspoons of baking soda and a little water.
Apply the paste on the affected areas and leave it on for about 10 minutes.
Rinse it off with cool water.

Note: Do not use this remedy more than once or twice a day. Never use baking soda on broken skin or open wounds.

4. Oatmeal

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Oatmeal contains anti-irritating, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties providing instant relief from itching–one of the common symptoms of chigger bites. It is recommended to use colloidal oatmeal, meaning oats which are ground into an extremely fine powder.

(You can accomplish this yourself by grinding regular oats in a sealed Ziploc bag, using the backside of a spoon to crush the oatmeal.)

Steps:

Add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal to a bathtub filled with warm water
Stir thoroughly
Soak in this mixture for at least 15-20 minutes
Repeat 2-3 times a day

5. Olive Oil

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Olive oil can also be used to get relief from the irritation and inflammation. It is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants which reduce itching and facilitate healing.

Steps:

After rinsing the affected area with water, apply olive oil to the chigger bite.
Reapply several times a day.

Another option using olive oil:

Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and apply on the affected area.
Repeat a few times a day.

Tips to Avoid Chigger Bites and Chigger Bites Infection

As summer and fall are prime time for chigger bites, it is best to take the following precautions:

When hiking, stay in the center of the trail and avoid brushing up against vegetation.
Wear long sleeves and long pants when going into the woods.
Apply mosquito repellent on your hands, feet, and exposed skin on your arms before going outside.
Shower immediately after being outdoors and use antibacterial soap.
Wash your clothes in hot water.
Resist the urge to scratch because breaking the skin on chigger bites can lead to a possible infection.

This video from Online Pest Control will show you tips to avoid chiggers and ways to get rid of chiggers:

Chigger bites much like other insect bites aren't only discomforting, they can be dangerous too. Many of these insects including chiggers carry diseases in some cases.

The best way to deal with these bugs is to avoid them or control them with our tips here. But, if you're so unlucky, you also now know the best home remedies to chigger bites!

Have you had to deal with chigger bites before? Tell us how, including more useful tips which worked for you in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Go to our Survival Life Store to shop some of our favorites self-defense tools and gear!

***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.***

Home Remedies For Chigger Bites | https://survivallife.com/5-home-remedies-for-chigger-bites/

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 28, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

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9 Good Reasons To Carry A “Survival Stick”

Arm yourself with a survival stick, get savvy with it, but first, find out why as you read on!

In this article:

Survival Stick: An Underrated Multipurpose Tool?

The Survival Stick in History

A walking stick or a survival cane were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries as a decorative show of power and a defensive replacement for a sword. Yet, the truth is our ancestors have been using them for thousands of years, and for good reason…

…They work! Even the animal kingdom is smart enough to know just how useful these are:

(It may be hard to see, but this gorilla is holding a walking stick to gauge the depth of the water as she sloshes along)

A walking stick is not a new or revolutionary idea. In fact, the use of a walking stick predates history and its use continued on for generations including this present time.

Yet, it is one which is more often than not overlooked. When most people think of a walking stick, it is usually paired with a top hat or seen as a crutch for someone with a walking disability.

Far too few people even realize how important a walking stick can be, especially to someone in the outdoors. We will dig a little deeper into the many uses of a survival stick and maybe safely say, it could be the first multi-purpose survival tool.

Practical and Survival Uses for a Survival Stick

Walking sticks are also known as trekking poles, pilgrim's staffs, hiking poles and hiking staff have quite a few different uses:

1. Survival Hiking Stick

Hold the survival stick in front of you and you can use it to clear your way by parting brushes and branches or leaves and thick tall grasses. You can also use it to clear spiderwebs, especially if you're not too fond of spiders.

Other insects, animals, poisonous plants, and even animal dung can get in the way. Use a survival stick to inspect or poke at those things if you are unsure, and never ever your hands or your feet.

2. Survival Stick for Support

Hiker in Caucasus mountains is crossing mountain river | Good Reasons To Carry A "Survival Stick" | hiking staff
Making your way through an uneven terrain will be more manageable with a walking stick for support. Whether you're going up or down, use the walking stick to either slow you down or hold you up.

You can use your walking stick like breaks to keep you from speeding down or use it to latch on to a rock or crevice when you're climbing up. Besides for yourself, you can also use your multipurpose stick as a support for your tarp emergency shelter.

3. Fetching/Reaching Things

It happens–a supply or gear falling on water, mud, puddle or in an area you dare not walk into. You can fetch or reach for those items with a stick.

It also happens where you need an item over a physical barrier and only a stick can fetch the item for you. You can also reach for fruits, nest, or other food sources up a tree or high structure with a stick.

4. Walking Staff Weapon for Self-Defense

To use a survival stick as a weapon, make sure it's a sturdy stick with a finished look and not just any stick you found along the way. You can use it to defend yourself from an attacker whether it's human or animals.

I would suggest to train yourself in some form of martial arts using a stick like a baton as a weapon to have a better handle at it.

You can also fashion a spear with your stick by tying a survival knife on one end. Don't throw this spear though or you risk damaging or losing your knife and stick.

Hold on to your homemade spear and only use it to thrust at your target.

5. Balance

Hiker is crossing the river in Sweden | Hiker in Caucasus mountain | Good Reasons To Carry A "Survival Stick" | survival hiking stick When you're crossing a log bridge over a stream or you're going through the stream itself or other bodies of water, a walking stick can help you balance so you don't fall over. If you're walking through a muddy or rocky waterbed, a walking stick will help you up.

If you're up for it and if the body of water isn't too wide across, you can also use a long stick like a pole vault to cross over so you don't get yourself wet.

6. Gauging Depth

Relative to crossing bodies of water, a survival stick is handy in identifying dips beneath the waters which could cause you to stumble. You can also use the stick to identify where it's safe to take the next step.

You can also use this simple trick with the stick when you're traveling in deep snow, marshland, and even the dessert.

7. Carrying Gear and Supplies

Use your survival stick to help you carry gear and supplies. Pack your supplies with a shemagh, tie it tight to one end of your stick then place the stick over your shoulders in hobo fashion.

You can also carry more supplies with your survival stick. Even today, a carrying pole is used by indigenous people all over the world to carry heavy supplies you never thought possible.

Hang bags of supplies or jars of water on either side of the pole or stick, putting a stopper like a notch or tie on both ends so they don't fall off. Place the center of the stick over your shoulders and balance your load to your destination.

8. Club

Man carrying blue backpack | Good Reasons To Carry A "Survival Stick" | walking staff weapon
Use your survival stick like a club to knock obstacle down. A pillar of rocks or other objects may be on your way and a sturdy stick can help you safely knock those.

If you are in a building with glass doors or windows or inside a car, you can break the glass with a stick. Make to knock over pieces around your entrance or exit with the stick, too.

9. Fishing Rod

You only need to bring a fishing kit and your survival stick will make a good fishing rod. Tie a line on one end of your walking stick and fish away.

A DIY fishing pole is actually effective and many a fish has been caught this way.

As you guys and gals already know, I am a stickler for carrying things only if they have multiple uses. This guy managed to fit almost an entire survival kit into a walking stick he built from scratch, for under $20.00.

Check out this video from SOS 2054 I found, and find out for yourself, too:

A humble walking stick will indeed surprise you with what it can do for your defense, convenience, safety, and survival. Since you know now the practical and survival uses of this primitive multi-purpose tool, it won't surprise me if it lands a top spot on your list of survival tools for camping, hiking, or SHTF.

What other uses can you think of for carrying a “survival stick”? Let us know in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Go to our Survival Life Store to shop some of our favorites self-defense tools and gear!

**Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 11, 2013, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here