Multiple Uses for Bandanas
A while back, a friend of mine who has been in the preparedness business for a much shorter time than I have been was looking over a bug-out bag list I had put together.
I was waiting for him to compliment me on how thorough I had been in putting it together, but instead he said, “You know there’s something missing from your list, right Frank?”
I smiled knowingly, thinking to myself that he couldn’t possibly be aware of anything I had not thought of while compiling the list. But to be polite, I said, “Oh, really? What’s that?”
“A bandana,” he said. “In fact, a bunch of bandanas. Why don’t you bandanas on your list?”
Thinking quickly in order to save face, I said, “Well, I rarely wear one, so I guess it doesn’t seem all that important to me. But you’ll notice that I do have…”
“Wearing a bandana is only one of the many reasons you should have them in your bug-out bag,” he interrupted. “Plus, they hardly take up any room.”
He then listed a bunch more reasons why putting bandanas in your bug-out bag is a good idea, including:
- A handkerchief
- A washcloth
- A hand towel
- Keeping your forehead from getting sunburned
- A facemask if you’re in an area that smells bad or might contain toxic air
- A neck band after it’s soaked in water on a hot day
- A food wrap
- A tourniquet for a serious injury
- A wipe for a dip stick when checking the oil
- A rope when you tie several of them together
- A blindfold if you have to take someone back to your camp and you don’t want them knowing how to get there on their own in the future
- A dog collar
I stopped him after a dozen. “OK, I get it,” I said. “You’ve convinced me.”
So, I acquired five different-colored bandanas and how have them in my backpack.
I learned two lessons from this experience: 1) Never think you can’t learn something new about preparedness, and 2) Never bug out without at least several bandanas.
All required to get an embarrassed grin from my 24 yr. old grandson is to drag out his pic on his first whitewater canoe trip (age 20 mo.) wearing his emergency diaper made from the bandana I always wear tied to the right shoulder of my PFD.And I always have another in my 1st aid kit.
Folded in a triangle with all 3 corners tied together in the front it looks like he has a tourniquet on IT.
It was in my experience in the Army out in the desert sands of Iraq that I have learned to wet a bandana and put it under my helmet and draped over my neck. Believe it or not it really cooled my head, even if I looked like a refuge from the French Foreign Legion.
I also used my bandana to filter out the crud and organic matter as I filled my canteen from the lake, river or stream. I then put in my water purification tablets in my canteen and let the dirt settle to the bottom of my canteen before drinking.
Someone mentioned using your bandana as a mask to rob a bank; try using it to conceal yourself while allowing your enemies to walk by you as you watch them. A bandana covers most of your face and breaks up any recognizable features thus adding to your stealth mode.
There are 1001 things you can use a bandana for; just use your imagination and have a need and you will succeed.
I keep 3 bandanas in my EDC pack. Now that I’ve read about the numerous uses for bandanas, I’ll be sure to get a few more for my bug out bag.
You might want to add one more for those real dirty jobs, like when you run out of (TP), toilet paper, or you have to clean your dishes and cookware. (Not to be use for both suggestions at the same time). :-)
Love your humor :)
I agree with most of your reasons, except the one about bad smells or toxic air. A bandana or any similar piece of cloth will NOT clean or filter bad or toxic air. It will keep sand or similar (large) particles out of your lungs but it does not have the capability to filter bad, toxic particulate or gases, or even high levels of CO2. Standard fiber masks that one might use for mowing the yard will NOT work either. Even masks made to keep VOCs out of the lungs will NOT keep out biological of chemical type sprays, aerosols, gases. A dedicated, fitted, functioning NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) mask is the only way to keep one safe in such environments-a bandana will not do this. I’m a former US Army Infantry officer, NBC officer, a former chemistry instructor, and currently run a licensed firearms manufacturer/dealer and tactical operations company; just in case you wanted to know my background.
I do enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
Very good point, Randy. I agree that a bandana will definitely not clean bad or toxic air. Hopefully it will temporarily block a couple harmful things, but the best thing to do in that situation is to get out of the area as quickly as possible.
I have bought and used this since receiving them…..i am a physician assistant soon to be a physician as well as a former airborne ranger….to date this product has not, i repeat NOT, made me feel younger, help with body aches, or control even my minimally high blood pressure….i look forward to the doctors response…
RJ
I added them sometime back to my list for all of the above reasons and several more, including to help strain debris from water before the purification process begins. That is for use after the life straws and such gadgets no longer work.
I prefer the military surplus kind in brown or olive green, they are harder to find but they are much less likely to attract unwanted attention.
You could add this to your list of what bandanas are good for ; In case you wanted to rob a bank, you will need some sort of device to hide your identity!! Or maybe you need to hide from a jealous husband, etc.
Dear Frank,
YEPPERS! You must have forgotten we listed bandanas as a wise BOB choice option in our book, SURVIVAL 101 – HOW TO BUG OUT AND SURVIVE THE FIRST 72 HOURS.
Glad you to see you stocked up and shared this wisdom with your P4P worldwide followers.
God Bless,
Orrin