27 Ways Duct Tape Can Save Your Life

The duct tape was said to have been developed by Permacell, a Johnson and Johnson company, for the US Army in World War 2. It was used to seal ammunition boxes and to make repairs in the field including repairs of weapons, vehicles and military equipment.

The duct tape which is a flexible, durable and waterproof tape has evolved since then and has become a popular, cheap way to make all sorts of temporary repairs. Aside from making repairs, the duct tape also has a whole range of other uses from space travel, clothing, hunting and survival. Thus this product should always be included in your emergency supplies!

Take a look at the 27 different ways duct tape can save your life

1. Repair a cracked water bottle pierced hydration bladder. Duct tape can also be used to insulate a water bottle by wrapping the bottle with it – this should also prevent cracking.

2. Patch a hole in a canoe. Patch the hole with a piece of metal, plastic or bark and seal the hole firmly on both sides with duct tape.

3. Use duct tape to restrain someone. DT can be used to bind the hands of someone who poses as a danger to your group, at least until a solution can be decided.

4. Twist several lengths of DT into cord or rope. (Read: How to Make Cordage)

5. Repair your rain gear.

6. Use duct tape to make a pandemic seal. Seal your home in case of a biological, nuclear, or chemical attack by sealing off windows and doorways with duct tape.

7. Mark your trail by taping strips to branches at chest height.

8. Use duct tape to patch a hole in your sleeping bag.

9. Reseal containers of food. After opening a package of food, make sure it does not go to waste by resealing it tight with DT.

10. Make butterfly bandages. Cut two small strips of DT, and add a smaller strip across their centers (sticky side to sticky side) to create a makeshift butterfly suture.

11. Use DT to make an arrow fletching. Here’s a neat ‘how-to’ post in the Survival Sherpa blog that shows how to make duct tape arrow fletching.

12. Repair a broken tent or fishing pole. Make a splint by taping a stick to the broken area of the pole. You can then use it until you get a replacement.

13. Make repairs on your bug out car – patch up leaking hoses, seal windows and cover bullet holes.

14. Make a sheath for your knife using duct tape. Just make sure that you double stick the tape so the inside around the knife does not stick to the blade.

15. Fashion a drinking cup from a duct tape. You can also make a hat from DT to protect your head. Get creative!

16. Duct tape can add insulation in your boots. Tape the insoles with duct tape, silver side up. The shiny tape will reflect the warmth of your feet back into your boots.

17. Repair your glasses with duct tape. A thin strip of duct tape will keep broken frames together.

18. Line the outside of your coat and pants with duct tape to keep it water resistant and keep you dry.

19. Make a flypaper by rolling off a few foot-long strips of duct tape and hanging them from a branch or your tent.

20. Create a splint with duct tape. Stabilize a broken ankle or leg with ample splint material, padding and duct tape. Pad the crotch of a forked branch with some cloth and duct tape to fashion a quick crutch to go with your splint.

21. Mend tears in your clothing. Slip a piece of duct tape inside the rip, sticky side out, then carefully press both sides of the rip together. A strip of duct tape can also be used to hem your pants.

22. Make a shelter. With trash bags or space blankets and some duct tape, you can create a roof for your lean-to, a sleeping bag cover, or a wind break.

23. Strap bandages in place with duct tape.

24. Make a spear by cutting a branch about 3 -6 feet long then strapping your knife to one end with duct tape. Now you have a tool you can use for hunting, fishing, or defense.

25. Protect a blister. Cover the affected area with cotton or gauze then tape it over. Make sure the DTY does not come in contact with the blister.

26. Repair your tent with duct tape. A rip in your tent or a broken zipper will leave you exposed so patch up your tent using the ever handy and reliable duct tape.

27. Temporarily replace your wooden shingle using duct tape and cut plywood. Wrap duct tape in strips across a piece of 1/4-inch plywood cut to size. Wedge the makeshift shingle in place to fill the space and it should be able to repel storm water until you can get it repaired properly.

Any other uses of duct tape you know of? Please share them in the comments.