Survival in the outdoors

  • Scrounge around for old film canisters

If you still use a film camera, hoard empty film canisters for use when hiking or camping out. These convenient, waterproof containers with their snap-on, leakproof lids are great for storing matches, small batteries or other small items that could leave you high and dry or in danger if they become wet and unusable. If you’ve made the switch to a digital camera and don’t have easy access to film canisters, use old pill bottles instead.

  •  Zap sap with butter

Sticky tree sap is one of the more harmless hazards you’ll encounter when camping out, but it’s still annoying to find sap on your skin. To get rid of it, take out some butter or margarine from the esky, rub it into the sap and wash the area with soap and water. This gentle treatment will not only be easy on your skin but has another application for campers: it will help to waterproof tent canvas and other outdoor equipment fabrics.

  •  A tin-can fire starter

Instead of using lighter fluid, try building a fire with this homemade, fluidless charcoal starter.

Cut both ends off an old very large tin can. Punch several holes near the bottom of the can, then punch two holes near the top and insert a length of coat-hanger wire through them to form a handle. When it comes time to start a fire, put the can into the fire pit, place a piece of crumpled newspaper in the bottom and lay briquettes on top of the newspaper. Light the paper through the holes punched at the bottom. When the briquettes are glowing, lift the can away with the wire handle — it will be extremely hot, so be sure to wear gloves or use tongs when grabbing it.

  •  Tin-can candle holder

Don’t curse the darkness. Instead, make a reflective candle holder. When opening a large can of tomatoes or some other can with a pull ring, keep the lid partially attached. Once you have finished the contents, wash out the can and bend back the lid so it faces straight upward. Put a candle inside and then place the can so the lid blocks the wind. The candle will burn steadily — and seem brighter as the lid will reflect the light.

  •  Great (cotton wool) balls o’ fire

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to start a fire when the wood is damp and won’t ignite, so here’s a trick to warm an outdoor enthusiast’s heart. Pack a dozen or so cotton balls, heavily saturated with petroleum jelly, into a plastic bag. When a fire just won’t get going, place several of the balls among the paper scraps and kindling and light them. Then get your food ready to cook, since the petroleum jelly usually burns long enough to get even the most reluctant campfire blazing.

  •  Repurpose empty sweet tins

Once you’ve finished a tin of mints, cough lollies or other sweets, save the tin. They are a great weatherproof carryall for:

  1.  Fishing hooks and artificial flies
  2.  Matches
  3.  Aspirin
  4. Packets of sugar and artificial sweeteners
  5. Safety pins
  6.  Loose change and keys that you don’t want to carry in pockets while fishing, hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
  •  Floss it while camping

Dental floss, with its super-strong waxed string, is useful for many other purposes when you are camping, including:

  1. Hanging stuff Floss is so strong that you can use it to hang a small lantern, shaving mirror and other gear from a branch.
  2. Repairing canvas gear Floss is slender enough to thread through the eye of a needle, yet sturdy enough to hold canvas in place, making it ideal for mending tents, backpacks and tarpaulins.
  3.  Cutting and slicing food Hold a piece of floss taut and slice your way through cheese, cake and other soft foods.
  •  Shampoo to the rescue

Though shampoo may seem like a luxury item when you are camping, it’s well worth putting some into a small plastic container that easily fits into a backpack or bag. Not only will it keep your hair squeaky clean, but it can also be used to do the following:

  1.  Lubricate a tent zip
  2.  Remove sap and other sticky stuff from your hands
  3. Stand in for shaving cream when you decide to get rid of stubble.
  •  Vinegar at your campsite

Vinegar will add a bit of zest to campsite meals, but it also:

  1. Repels gnats and mosquitoes Just dab some white vinegar onto exposed skin.
  2. Traps flies and mosquitoes Pour some apple cider vinegar into a container and place it on a picnic table or anywhere else these pests tend to congregate.
  3. Helps to kill bacteria in water Add a few drops of cider vinegar to a water bottle.
  • Wave goodbye to sand on the beach

 You probably come home from a day at the beach with plenty of sand in the car, in your shoes, on your clothes, not to mention what ends up in the house. Leave the sand where it belongs by taking a plastic bag partially filled with baby powder. When you’re ready to go, dip your feet and hands into the powder and dust some more powder over the rest of your body. When you brush off the baby powder, the sand will easily brush off with it.

Credit: Reader’s Digest

Picture Credit: Google