Trash Bag

[Matt In Oklahoma]

All to often we get caught up in the "Jones" syndrome and newer folks feel overwhelmed by the amount of things they feel they need to have to survive. Skill can overcome quality in some resources and a ton of money will not buy your way out of certain issues. In keeping with something simple lets take a simple inexpensive item and figure out what all can be done with it pertaining to survival and preparing for survival. Lets start with the everyday trash bag.

Emergency Shelter Building
Poncho
Insulation container for cold weather survival when filled with leaves etc.
Solar Water Pasteurization Container
Trash collection (who woulda thought)
Waste, Food, Water etc. collection/storage
Emergency Window Replacement
Workout wrap for water weight loss
Weight for workout when filled with water
Wind direction indicator when tied to tree (important for long distance shooting, hunting or NBC applications)
Cordage when rolled/twisted then tied

So 16 of these can be had for $1 at the dollar store or they can even be found blowing around aimlessly sometimes or washed up on a bank. It might not have a coolio brand name sewn in material attached on it and cost a gazillion dollars but it seems pretty useful when you think about it.

What else? I know there's more knowledge from this deep resource pool!

[qrprat77]

Moisture barrier for temporary outdoor electrical connections (Need Duct tape too, you got some stashed on your mini-maglite right?)
temp. replacement window for car/home

[ridgerunner]

Since I have a creek/river to cross on my route home, I keep 2 trash bags to use for waders. Slip one over each leg and I'm good to go to about waist deep. This would definitely be an issue in the freezing winter.

I like the big Hefty can liners the best. The large ones :)

[Karen]

water collection, sorta like an emergency rain barrel
wind break
trail marker
use them for carrying things in and tie them to your back pack
sand bags?

[Preppergirl]

Emergency medical personal medical gown
emergency drape for delivery of a newborn
twist into cordage to use as a tourniquet
to cut and make a quick seal on a sucking chest wound
quick cover for a victim going into shock
frost cover for plants (but do not let plastic touch the plants and remove when daylight returns)
insulate pipes near a spicket (if u r lucky enough to have running water)
punch small hole to use as a sieve to prefilter water prior to putting through your good water filter
trail marker when torn into pieces or tied to a tree
a nice dry place on the ground to set your extra guns or mags when loading or cleaning
a sit-upon to keep your butt dry on the ground ( i was a girl scout;)
a picnic blanket
BUT BE very careful as plastic bags are not toys and can suffocate someone..........hmmmm

[Matt In Oklahoma]

BUT BE very careful as plastic bags are not toys and can suffocate someone..........hmmmm

LOL easy there DW

[acman490]

Wow...perfect! Never thought so many things can be done with a trash bag! Next time on a camp-out, will bring extra. You'll never know! Thanks.

[TyrannyUnleashed]

Great post, Matt. I think I will be making a trip to the dollar store tomorrow. Heck I may even look a other items to see if I can figure out useful purposes for them.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Great post, Matt. I think I will be making a trip to the dollar store tomorrow. Heck I may even look a other items to see if I can figure out useful purposes for them.

I love the dollar store!!!

[EX121]

Use strips woven together to make emergency cordage, fill it with sand etc to use as a weight on the end of a lever to get your truck unstuck.

[scott2820]

I'm gonna have to put more garbage bags in my bag. I knew they were useful but.

[jimmycthemd]

I'll give that a 'me too'. Almost no space or weight taken. I like that :-)