Outdoor Life Prepare for Anything Survival Manual (66 page)

It’s true: Beer can save your life. In survival situations, that can of local brew is able to transcend its sullied reputation to become a piece of malleable, versatile metal filled with calories. Here are a few uses for your stalwart can of beer.

BOILING WATER

The trick to boiling raw water in cans is to set it next to the fire, in the ashes. Don’t place the can in the center of the fire, as the metal will break down more quickly. Boil for 10 full minutes to be safe.

char cloth
For a one-shot deal, cut the top off the can and pack the inside with fibrous tree bark or cotton cloth. Fold the can shut and throw it into the fire for five minutes. It will produce usable char cloth.

PERIMETER ALARM

This trick is ideal for bear country. Throw a few small rocks in an empty beer can and set it up where it can fall down with a crash. Tie a string to the can, and then run the string around your camp, about 1 foot (30 cm) off the ground. Just one bump of the line from man or beast will send the can tumbling down and give you a head start.

FISHING REEL

You can make a reel out of almost anything cylindrical, but the beer can also makes a fine spool for storing the fishing line. Tie the monofilament to the pull tab, or through a small hole, and wind the line around.

FISH HOOK

For survival fishing only: Break off the pull tab, cut part off, sharpen the tip, attach your line, and bait. Let the fish swallow it whole, and retrieve during the gutting process.

FIRE STARTER

Polish the can so the light of the sun can be reflected off the can’s concave bottom. Select a fine, fluffy, dark-colored tinder. Play with the zenith and azimuth angles of the can until you get some smoke coming from your tinder.

FIRE SOCKET

Find a small concave spot on a crushed beer can, and it will act as the top socket for a bow and drill fire starting set. This socket won’t need lubricant, and it will get hot up there!

SURVIVAL STOVE

Cut a can in half, add a few ounces of alcohol to the bottom, and you’ve got a camping stove. You can also prowl the Internet for how to build a can stove with jets around the top lip, to increase the stove’s efficiency.

CANDLE LANTERN

I love a good, cheap camp lantern. Cut a line down the side of the can, plus two more so the cuts form a capital I. Fold open the double doors and drop in a tea light, or add some sand and a candle nub.