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Many people love camping and hiking. They enjoy nature and the great outdoors. If you are an avid hiker or camper, chances are that you understand that being out in nature can be very unpredictable.
The deeper you get into the wood or in the wild, the more dangerous things can get. Because of this, it is important that you are prepared for the unexpected. Most people take the necessary essentials when going out in the wild, however, they often forget one very important item.
A bandana. Bandanas may be small and they weight just a few ounces, however, they can save your life and help you out in a crisis. The fact that bandanas are so small and light is an added bonus, as it won’t take up any space in your pack.
If you are planning a camping or hiking trip, you should know some of the bandana uses to save your life in an emergency.
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1. Camp Marker
If you are out camping in an area you have never been, it can be easy to lose your way. If you are going out in search of food or water, you can use a bandana to mark your campsite.
Simply tear the bandana in four pieces, and tie it around the trees surrounding your site. Bandanas often come in bright colors, which will be easy to spot from far away.
You can rip the bandana into four pieces, and tie them to the trees surrounding your camp. This will keep you from wandering around checking every area of the forest for your campsite.
2. Tourniquet
Accidents can happen when you are out in the wilderness. You could get attacked by an animal, cut yourself on a sharp branch, or get caught up in a trap meant for an animal.
If something like this happens and you are bleeding heavily, you would need to tend to the wound until you can get help or help can get to you. A bandana would make a great tourniquet.
You would simply tie the bandana right below the wound to keep the blood from pumping out. This will give you time to get help before you start bleeding out.
3. Sling
If you are hiking and you fall off of a rock or a cliff, you could dislocate your shoulder. This type of injury can be very painful. The only way to make the pain stop is to get the shoulder back in the socket.
If you are unable to do this, you can fashion a sling out of a bandana. It will keep your shoulder immobilized until you can get help. It won’t stop the pain, however, it will make the injury hurt less.
It is very easy to make a sling out of a bandana. Simply tie the two ends together around the back of your neck, and slip your arm inside the bandana. It will make the trip back to civilization to get help more comfortable.
Related: Essential Knots: How to Tie the 17 Knots You Need to Know
4. Water Filter
If you are desperate for fresh water, you may be able to find a lake or a stream nearby. Unfortunately, these water sources are not always clean. If you have something to pour the water in, you can use the bandana to filter any large contaminants from the drinking water.
You would simply fill the bandana with water over the pan. The clean water will pour through the bandana, and the contaminants will stay inside. If you do this a few times, you should have enough clean water to quench your thirst.
5. Keep Your Cool
If you are out in the blistering heat, you would need to keep your body temperature down if you want to avoid developing heat stroke. A bandana is a great way to do this.
You would simply wet the bandana with water, and put it on the back of your neck. This is the best place to keep it to drop your body temperature quickly.
6. Stop the Pain of a Blister
Nothing can ruin a hike more than developing a blister. The pain from a blister can make it difficult to walk. It can also make it difficult to enjoy your time in the outdoors.
If you have a bandana with you, you can stop the pain. Simply rip the bandana in half and fold it up. Place it in the area between your foot and your boot where it hurts the most. This will make walking much more comfortable.
7. Collecting Food
If you are out in the wilderness and you are forced to search for wild edibles, you will need a place to put them to return back to camp. You can fill your pockets with food, however, you may not have enough room in your pockets to bring all of the food back to camp.
If you have a bandana, you can use it as a pouch to take the rest of the food back to camp. A bandana allows you to double what you are able to carry back. If you want to keep your pockets and hands full of food, you can make a hobo pack with your bandana. All you need is a stick.
Once you have gathered up all of your food, tie the bandana to a long stick. You can hold the bandana full of food over your shoulder and you will still have a free hand to carry more. It is a great way to gather food in an emergency situation.
8. Bandage
If you have a cut, bite, or a rash that needs to be covered, a clean bandana will do the trick. If you tie the bandana around the wound, it will keep it protected until you can get medical attention or at least a real bandage.
Related: 15 Nifty Ways to Use a Survival Blanket
9. Fishing Net
If you are searching for food in the wilderness, fishing is a great option. Fish is loaded with the protein that you need to give you the energy to survive. In order to catch a good size fish, you will need bait.
This is where a bandana can come in handy. You can use it as a net to catch minnows or other small fish for bait. You should use a bright colored bandana.
The bright color will likely attract the small fish, making it easier to catch them. Once you have the small fish, you can use them to catch the bigger ones.
If you cannot catch any big fish and you are starving, you can at least eat the small fish that you caught in your net.
10. Dust or Smoke Mask
If you are in a situation where the dust in the air is dangerous to breathe, you can tie the bandana around your face. This will protect your lungs. The same is true if you are in an area where there is a great deal of smoke.
Bandanas Can Save Your Life
Either way, a bandana can save your life in an emergency. While the smoke and dust can get through the bandana, it won’t be as bad. If possible, you should wet the bandana before tying it around your face.
If you are planning a trip outdoors, you should always keep a bandana with you. Even the most experienced survivalists can run into a problem from time to time, and many carry a survival bandana with them. Even if you are going out for a quick hike, you still want to be prepared.