Instead of using epoxy to patch my cup I recalled a previous post of mine “Melted Drinking Straws Make Emergency Adhesive” and wanted to expand on that approach. My cup was made of black plastic that spurred the thought that I had a black ziptie among my gear. I would try to lite it and drip along the hole’s edge performing a “build up” as I circled inward to close the hole. It was a success! I used my knife to smooth the surface once it cooled for a more esthetic repair.

In the world of survival and preparedness it’s good to know a variety of approaches to emergency situations and hopefully this hack will be another tool in your collection of solutions when needed.

Polyethylene plastic is pretty tough material but of course has it’s limits based on the thickness/thinness of the material. I have used plastic bags in the past to bind items but was limited by it’s length. It occurred to me that with a little modification I could “daisy-chain” cordage to any length needed using multiple bags.

I decided to cut each bag down the mid-line, top-to-bottom, and then poke a hole inside the pleated fold at the bottom. Now I could poke the handle loop from the first half through the bottom hole of the second half, then push the bottom of the first half through it’s own emerging handle loop, thus creating a daisy-chain link that could be repeated with each ensuing bag half. If necessary it could be twisted like conventional cordage while combining multiple daisy-chained strands for added strength.

This may not be the strongest cord but definitely has it’s place for improvised cordage in a pinch for simple tie-downs and binding.

– For water proof storage: Packing clothes and other items inside plastic bags within your backpack or luggage will help sort and retrieve things more easily. The contents will stay dry if you drop your pack or bag in water or are caught in the rain for an extended period of time.

– To expedite travel bag inspections: When traveling by public transporation where security inspections take place your luguage contents can be easily inspected by security personnel and will remain intact. I keep non-approved items in a separate bag so that it can be easily removed and left behind before-hand, however, it remains in my bag if I travel privately.

– As a clothes washer: A large bag can be partially filled with water with a bit of soap. Next, insert a few clothes items that need washing. Gently toss the bag from hand to hand to agitate. Clothes can be rinsed the same way with plain water.

– As a canteen: Water can be carried in a sealable plastic bag that when opened at the corner provides a spout from which to drink. It can be placed inside a second plastic bag for an extra measure of protection against leaks. For transport it can then be kept inside a cloth bag or pocket, providing it with support and added insulation.

– As a cooler: A bag filled with ice can keep it’s contents cool for many hours. This works best with sealed items like cans or bottles.

– As an ice pack: A bag can be partially filled with water and frozen around an object or instead you can just fill it with ice.

– As a funnel: You can cut a tip off of the bottom corner and pour contents into the top. This has worked successfully for adding gasoline into a car tank in a pinch.

– As a tinder carrier: Keeping tinder dry could prove to be critical when traveling in a survival situation.

– As a water lens for making solar fire: By filling the bag with water, squeezing out the air, and forming it into a ball, you can focus light on a sunny day well enough to start a solar method fire (yes, I’ve done this…).

– As a fishing float or buoy: You can attach a fishing line or anchored line to an inflated bag to either fish or mark a spot for submerged items.

Perhaps you have used sealable plastic bags in other travel or emergency situations. Please leave a comment from your experiences.

There have been a number of on-line videos that have demonstrated the process of heating water inside a plastic water bottle. They employ bottles full of water whether capped or open and placed in a fire or suspended over it. But this method has a new twist (literally). It is hand-held and turned slowly over a fire like a rotisserie and can be used to cook food or make safe drinking water. I decided to try it out for myself.

I raided my refrigerator for items similar to what might be found in the field. I cut small slices of cabbage and onion for veggies and added small pieces of raw chicken for meat. I placed them into a wide mouthed Gatorade bottle and then filled it about half way with water. Then I built a campfire outside in a fire tray.

After the fire was well under way I held the open bottle by the neck using both hands to slowly rotate it like a rotisserie while tilting it at an angle with the bottom portion positioned over the flames. Eventually steam rises out of the mouth of the bottle so you need to be careful when handling it. You may notice that the bottom shrinks slightly once heated. It was getting dark outside and combined with the sooty bottom, it was hard to see the internal contents so I took about 20 minutes to make sure that it was well cooked. One simple guide to determine when food is fully cooked is when transparent meat becomes opaque, and opaque vegetables become transparent.

I walked back into the house and poured the contents into a bowl. To my delight it was completely cooked and tasted wonderful with NO plastic or sooty taste whatsoever. Some folks may have reservations regarding out-gassing of heated plastic. I view this issue on par with eating edible plants that have been collected close to roadways… toxic issues are very slight and only become problems over repeated long term usage. In an emergency situation, drastic measures may be required that can out-weigh possible negative factors.

This can be a fun project to do now that will better prepare you in the event of an emergency later.