50 Uses of Duct Tape
I have always claimed, and not altogether jokingly, that you could build a house with Elmer’s glue and Duct Tape. Both items are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and easy to tote around. Given my penchant for common, everyday products that can be used dozens of ways, I thought it would be fun to once again look at some of the practical uses of duct tape around the house, camping, and of course, in a survival or emergency situation.
You might recall that way back when, in the early days of this website, I wrote about the 34 Ways to Use Duct Tape for Survival. That particular article has been shared over 28K times and is still going strong. That said, I felt it was time for a refresher course. So, taking into account all of the comments and tips you have so generously shared, I now have a list of 50 ways to use duct tape for survival and emergencies.
But first, let us begin with that refresher course I mentioned.
All About Duct Tape13. Make butterfly bandage strips: 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.
14. Make a sling: Fold a length of DT down the middle, so that it is half the original width and no longer exposing a sticky side. Use the strap to make a sling for an injured arm or shoulder.
15. Affix bandages: Place a sterile dressing over your wound, and strap it in place with DT.
16. Blister care: Got a blister on your foot? Cover the blistered area with a bit of cotton gauze, and tape over the cotton. Make sure that the duct tape fully covers the cotton and doesn’t touch the blister at all.
17. Create a splint: A broken ankle or leg can be stabilized with ample splint material, padding and duct tape.
18. Make a crutch: Pad the crotch of a forked branch with some cloth and duct tape to fashion a quick crutch to go with your splint.
19. Make a bandage: Fold tissue paper or paper towel to cover the wound and cover this with duct tape.
20. Make a temporary roof shingle: If you have lost a wooden roof shingle, make a temporary replacement by wrapping duct tape in strips across a piece of 1/4-inch (6-millimeter) plywood you’ve cut to size. Wedge the makeshift shingle in place to fill the space. It will close the gap and repel water until you can repair the roof.
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