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Being a true survivalist means finding simple, everyday items that we commonly take for granted but that can be used for a number of different applications.
One of those, believe it or not, is coffee filters. They’re lightweight, easily portable, very available and inexpensive, and are a prime example of an everyday item that you can use in a survival situation.
Need some ideas for how you can use them? Here are seven:
1. Keep the bugs away from food. Cooking and eating outside is certainly fun and a part of the outdoor/camping experience, but that doesn’t mean it comes without its own set of liabilities. Namely, bugs. The food on your plates and bowls will be exposed to the insects flying around, looking for food. Covering your plates or cups with coffee filters when not in direct use is an excellent deterrent to bugs.
2. Pre-water filter. A coffee filter should never be used as a primary filter for water that’s just been collected from a natural source. Never, never, never. Water should be purified by an actual filtration device, water purification tablets or by boiling water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Nonetheless, a coffee filter is still an excellent pre-water filter. You can filter your water through it to collect the larger, unwanted matter such as leaves and sediment before continuing on with the purification process.
3. Fire tinder. Having the ability to make a fire while on the go is important for survival. You never know when you might need it, whether it be for warmth, protection or to cook food. This means it’s wise to not only carry fire starters such as matches and strikers, but tinder as well. Coffee filters, when soaked in grease, will catch a spark very quickly. Simply carry a collection of coffee filters along with a small can of grease in your pack and you’ll be good to go.
4. Toilet paper (for emergencies). You’re out of toilet paper? A coffee filter will work fine if you have no other options.
5. As a compress. Soaking a coffee filter in water or another kind of beverage will have a similar effect to a soaked bandana in that it can act like a cool compress.
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This will come in handy when you have a headache and need to put something cool on your head.
6. Bandage. The bleeding produced from small cuts can be stopped by the pressure of a coffee filter.
While a coffee filter should never be considered a replacement for any component of a real first-aid kit under any circumstances, it will provide a temporary solution.
7. Food wrapper. If you are lacking in containers, aluminum foil or plastic wrap and need to carry your food with you while on the go, coffee filters are a fine alternative. You may need to use two or three filters in order to completely cover your food, but if secured by string, your food should be protected from dirt and bugs.
And of course, you always can make coffee. Who says you also can’t use coffee filters for their intended purpose in a survival situation? With a pot, water and ground coffee, you can filter the brew straight into your container or cup.
What would you add to the list? Share your tips in the section below:
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