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11 Ways A Condom Can Save Your Life: Multi-functional survival uses for a CONDOM
November 28, 2012 By Creek\=
http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/


Including CONDOMS in survival kits is not a new idea.  People have been packing them in mini survival kits for as long as I can remember – using them primarily as an expandable WATER CONTAINER.  Don’t worry, I’ll get into details later.  While a little taboo, I’ll ask that you set aside any preconceived notions you might have about condoms.  In this post, I’ll argue that as far as  multi-functional survival uses are concerned, the condom offers an incredible BANG for your buck.  Sorry – I couldn’t resist.

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WATER

As I’ve mentioned, including condoms in survival kits is not a new idea.  They make amazing compact water containers that can hold as much as 2 liters of water if handled properly.  They are, after all, designed to be water tight.  The elasticity of latex condoms is SHOCKING.




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However, while it excels in elasticity, it lacks in durability.  The thin latex walls are very susceptible to sharp objects and puncture.  Especially when filled with water, the slightest prick (even from a blade of grass) will split it open almost instantly.  Then, you’ve lost your water AND your container.  No fear – there is a strategy for carrying water in a condom.  The easiest I’ve found it to take off your sock and fill the condom inside of your sock.  Not only does the sock provide stability but it also provides protection.  It still needs to be coddled like a little baby but it’s not AS delicate.  Other options are to wrap it in a t-shirt and even fill it inside a backpack or helmet.  It helps to stretch the condom a little bit first – kind of like you do when getting ready to blow up a balloon. Condom balloon animals anyone?

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A condom is easier to fill when water is falling into it versus just sweeping it through the water.  In nature, if you can find a little water fall or fast moving water it will make your life a lot easier.  Tie the mouth of the condom off around a stick about the diameter of your thumb.  This way, you can fairly easily untie it.  Just knotting it off with no stick makes it very difficult to open back up again.  You may need to use it over and over again so don’t rush it.

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Just because you’ve collected and contained water doesn’t mean it’s OK to drink.  Once your condom is full, you must now consider purification options.  Boiling is not an option unless you have a metal container.  But, maybe you have a metal container and you’re just using the the condom to transport MORE water from point A to point B.  If so, great.  If not, you can purify the water chemically with Iodine, Bleach (Chlorine) or store bought water purification tablets.  If you are packing condoms in a small survival kit, be sure to include a handful of purification tablets for a complete water purification system.

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One condom  even protects this entire bracket fungus – which contains a load of excellent natural tinder.

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The condom ITSELF also makes excellent fire tinder.  With an open flame such as a match or cigarette lighter, a latex condom will ignite almost instantaneously and burn furiously for several minutes – allowing you plenty of time to build your fire.  Below is a quick video I shot to demonstrate how well a latex condom burns:



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But what if you don’t have an ignition source?  Fire requires 3 elements: IGNITION SOURCE (HEAT), FUEL and OXYGEN.  If you don’t have matches or a ferro rod, then I guess you can fill the condom with water and use it as a magnifying glass on a sunny day like this guy did:




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FOOD

Seriously, how can a condom provide you with survival food?  In more ways than you might think actually…

I’m a huge fan of sling shots.  I’ve been working on a small game hunting post featuring sling shots for several months and this was the perfect opportunity to test out an idea I had – the Condom Small Game Hunter Sling Shot.  Sounds funny, right?  Condoms aren’t that much different from the latex bands that come stock with most small game hunting sling shots.  Remember, your ability to improvise is your most valuable survival skill!

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I decided rather than launch imperfect rocks with a leather pouch, I would use a loop of bank line as a anchor point to nock a hand-carved mini dart.  I wrapped the other end of the condoms around the loop of bank line and again duct taped it in place.

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Below is a maple branch I used to carve some of the mini dart projectiles.





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Those are some sick looking little arrows aren’t they?  I know what you’re thinking.  Cool looking sling-shot, but there’s no way you can actually kill small game with it in a survival scenario.  Oh, ye of little faith.

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In the 1 minute video below, you can see the condom sling shot in action.




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Companionship

Anyone ever seen CAST AWAY with Tom Hanks?  Remember his little buddy WILSON?  I’ve got a survival companion too.  I just call him Lil’ Cody.  He debuted in the sling shot video above when I put a mini-arrow through his face.  He’ll keep you company when you are alone, starving and freezing in the woods while trying to make a Condom Sling Shot.

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