by gyroguy » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:12 am
I’m a Scoutmaster, and here are some ideas we use.
1. Always use “strike anywhere” wooden matches to make waterproof matches. “Strike-on-box” matches are no good once you lose the striking surface on the box.
2. Dip wooden matches in paraffin wax to waterproof them, then scratch the paraffin off before you try to light the match. It lights easier.
3. Use colorless nail polish to waterproof matches, but let one dry and see if it lights before you do the whole box.
4. Use Frisbees for plates, not just plate holders.
5. Metal clothes hangers and pliers can make blanket pins, forks, candle holders, tongs, pot hangers, skewers, egg dippers, hot dog roasters, etc. Burn off the paint before using them with food items in case it’s lead paint. Twist wires together for more tensile strength.
5. Put a strip of cardboard around the inside perimeter of a tuna can. Fill can with paraffin wax and saturate the cardboard. This small stove that produces a circular flame.
6. Make a durable canteen from a plastic water bottle covered with aluminum foil, with a rope added and cinched around the neck, and covered with duct tape. Use only bottles that originally held food or drink.
7. Make cups from plastic water bottles by cutting them to shape with a pair of scissors. Use a lighter to melt the sharp edges and round them off. Use only bottles that originally held food or drink.
8. Make food preparation bowls from 2- or 3-liter plastic pop bottles as in #7 above. Also re-use covered plastic dishes that contained Kool-Whip or chip dip. Use only bottles that originally held food or drink.
9. Make fire starters from Celotex ceiling tile cut into 1-inch squares and dipped in paraffin with a toothpick.
10. Get hot water by putting a black plastic bag partially filled with water inside another black plastic bag and leave them out in the sun. Tie the bag so water won’t run out. Put them on a flat rock or on aluminum foil.
11. Make a plastic tube tent from a 9’ x 12’ pieces of polyethylene transparent plastic duct-taped together on the 9’ edge. Tie a rope to trees and run through tent to hold it up. Note plastic thicker than 4 mill works better, less holes.
12. Emergency fire starter: binoculars pointed to the Sun with eyepiece focused on dry tinder. (This is why you’re not supposed to look at the Sun through binoculars…)
13. Emergency fire starter: 9-volt transistor battery touching steel wool of #00, #000 or (best) $0000 size. Put the steel wool under dry tinder.
14. Carry toilet paper in Ziplock plastic bag inside a Ziplock plastic bag. (You know it's going to be a bad day when the toilet paper gets wet.)
15. Use dental floss and big needle to repair anything you can sew.
16. Use Shoe-Goo from Wal-Mart shoe department to fix shoes and anything silicone glue could fix.
17. Use small glass mirror for emergency signal. Metal mirrors don’t work.
18. Emergency signal: wear a whistle, work out a code. Three blasts = emergency.
19. Put a plastic bag over your foot before you put a sock on to keep your foot warm.
20. Give everybody matching bright-colored baseball caps so you can count heads easily in a crowd.
For build pix of Crocodile Tear, completed 10/26/06 -- Look at my album or new website <www.crocodiletear.com> (website has more info)
