Survival Kit Item – Duct Tape

Original Duct Tape

Maybe it’s the Redneck in me, but I haven’t found a whole heck of a lot that can’t be fixed with a good roll of Duct Tape. In fact, I think Duct Tape is probably one of the most important, and overlooked pieces of emergency gear you can have.

What makes Duct Tape so special?

Developed during World War II by Revolite, which at the time was a division of Johnson & Johnson, Duct Tape or Duck Tape was originally used to seal ammunition cases during the war. These days, there’s not a whole lot that it isn’t used for.

Because of its durability, and its waterproof nature, it’s one of the most useful pieces of gear you can carry.

What can you do with Duct Tape?

What can’t you do with it? The internet is filled with crazy examples of things you can do with Duct Tape. In fact, there’s a whole subculture of people who make crafts and weird artwork with it.

Duck® Brand Designer Duct Tape
Duck® Brand puts out a number of custom colors and designs that cater specifically to people who use Duct tape in arts & crafts applications

But when it comes to survival, Duct Tape has a number of important applications, and can be used to make emergency repairs on just about everything.

Here are a couple of examples of why you should add Duct Tape to your emergency supplies.

  • It gives you the ability to make emergency repairs on, tents, gear, bags, tarps, packs, sleeping bags, clothing, rain gear, etc….
  • Medical Uses – Making large bandages, adding padding to blisters, and making slings. It can also be used for wrapping sprained ankles in an emergency.
  • Sealing Windows
  • Making emergency temporary repairs to you vehicle.
  • Stopping Leaks
  • Repairing Torn Clothing and worn out shoes.
  • Waterproofing just about everything!
  • Wrapping plastic water bottles to prevent cracking and leaking.
  • Starting Fires. Duct tape makes a great little fire starter.

Duct Tape Tip: When you want your repairs to last longer, ironing the Duct tape to your torn fabric will help it last a lot longer. In the field, you can use a Hot Rock heated in a fire to get the same effect.

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9 Comments

  1. Duct tape can also be used for clothing if you really need it. I built a pair of duct tape shorts in only two hours. They need to be tweaked, but the fit, along with my duct tape vest, shoes, helmet, and vambraces. It makes good armor against light missiles such as airsoft bbs.

  2. I was just doing some research for my site when I came across this duct tape article. That is a great list and duct tape is definately a survival gear must have.

  3. you can make hammoks water bottles of all sizes tents sleeping pads ive seen a boat in the ocean that lasted 1 day it didnt sink or leak they just braught it back to shore it can be rope fishing line even a floorsomeone made a snair and one of those really weird net traps and a water distiler(a sun used water purifier shoes a CHESS SET!!!! there is literaly no end

  4. All duct tape is not created equal! Try it out first before you have to depend on it to save your life. Some brands are superior, especially Gorilla brand tape! Far above all others IMHO.

  5. Arrow fletchings, water cup, funnel or straw. Material repair, clothing gear and shelters. Mark your trail, leave messages, wound covers. The uses are limitless.

  6. funny item but I have been searching for mans first aid kit which is duct tape something like a belt or pouch a man can wear around his waist to hold duct tape,,have it read emegerency kit,it is mans first aid,with a red cross on the pouch that holds the duct tape cant find one any where,can any one help me?

  7. Is there a way to minimize the size instead of having to carry a whole roll? E.g., can the cardboard be removed and then fold tape? Hope this makes sense!

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