www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
| 25
duct taPe aNd itS
eMergeNcy uSage
By Joe Price
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MENTALITY OF MULTIPLE USE ITEMS. USING A
REDUCTIONIST MENTALITY OF "TWO IS ONE" IN LOOKING AT WHAT
YOU CARRY IN YOUR KIT HELPS MAKE YOU MORE ADAPTABLE AND
TURN A BAD SITUATION INTO SOMETHING MORE BEARABLE. A PRIME
EXAMPLE OF THIS MULTI-USE ITEM IS DUCT TAPE. CARRYING 10-15
FEET OF DUCT TAPE WRAPPED AROUND A LIGHTER OR OLD CARD CAN
BE A BIG BENEFIT IN THE FIELD. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY
EXAMPLES FOR DUCT TAPE USES.
rePairS: We start with the obvious "if it moves and it
shouldn't – duct tape" logic. But it's also incredibly ver-
satile in repairing punctured water bladders, tents, bivis,
sleeping bags that are losing stuffing and even yourself in
a last-ditch medical emergency. Buy the best brand you
can. 3M make some of the best and it's available in a huge
variety of colours.
cordage: Duct tape
makes surprisingly
good cordage. Simply
holding one end and
twisting as it comes
off the spool will
turn the tape into
strong cordage for
an improvised sling
in first aid or a strap
for carrying items.
tiNder: By pulling apart strands of duct tape and tear-
ing them into strips, it can be ignited with the lighter you
wrapped it around to help build a fire.
gaiterS: Many
boots are only wa-
terproof to above
the ankle. If you
encounter snow
or tall grass,
wrapping the
tape in an over-
lapping fashion
allows you to add
extra inches of wa-
terproofness to your
boots and trouser ends.
coNtaiNerS: Duct tape can be layered to make a
usable vessel for water, but the best method I have found
is to wrap a Zip-Loc bag in layers of tape. It gives you a
container for water or a pouch to hold a water bladder or
other equipment safe in your bag.
firSt-aid: The "if it moves and it shouldn't" concept
works here. Wrap the tape around sticks or other objects
for splints. When cut or torn into strips, it can be used as
butterfly sutures in conjunction with a protective dress-
ing. If you feel a warm spot happening in your boots,
applying duct tape to the area will ease this and help
prevent blisters.
Joe Price is a 'living to learn' survival
enthusiast, a member of the irish
bushcraft club and an irish ambassador
for Mora knives. He works in The Camo
Shop www.thecamoshop.ie and you can
follow the 'Living to Learn' community online:
www.facebook.com/groups/livingtolearn/
