#5The other option is more expensive but is about as secure as you can get. There is a product out there called IronKey. Without getting into all the technical mumbo jumbo, suffice it to say that the IronKey flash drive is not only protected against all hacking attempts, but is physically hardened as well. If an attempt is made to break into the IronKey physically, it will initiate a self-destruct sequence to ensure your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. As I mentioned, though, it is expensive, with the basic model coming in around $200 or so.

IMPROVISED GEAR

While an argument could be made that the vast majority of projects in this book fall under the category of “improvised gear,” here we’re going to talk about just a few things that really aren’t so much projects as they are quick-and-dirty solutions to survival needs.

KNIFE SHEATH. A knife is an extremely valuable and useful tool in most survival situations. Good-quality knives can be rather expensive. A decent compromise is to use a kitchen knife and improvise a sheath for it. Here, I’ve assembled a quick but sturdy sheath using thin cardboard and duct tape. It isn’t a perfect solution, of course, but it’ll certainly do in a pinch. You could also use a piece of broken glass with a duct tape handle, or even the blade removed from a small appliance and affixed to a wood or plastic handle. Use your imagination and get creative.

CORDAGE. Before tossing old, irreparable shoes into the trash, be sure to remove the laces. Cordage is always of use in survival situations, such as for shelter building. While it is certainly possible to weave cord from plant fibers and such, doing so is time-consuming.

WIRE TIES. Along the same lines, many parents are familiar with the plastic-coated wire ties that come as part of the packaging in many toys today. They come in other products, too, but toy companies apparently found an incredible deal on these things, as you’ll find roughly a bazillion of them inside the box of any average toy. While a pain in the butt to remove, they can be very useful. They are very strong and can be used in many applications where you might otherwise use a nylon zip tie or some type of cordage. Look at it this way—so you’ve already paid for those wire ties, so you might as well find a use for them.

COTTON SQUARES. Old T-shirts can be used as rags, of course, as just about any homeowner knows. However, another use for them is to cut them into squares to use as toilet paper should your supply run out. Not the most appealing solution for most of us, given how accustomed we are to flushing all evidence of our potty usage, but cotton squares sure beat using leaves from the backyard. Should it come time to put these to use, fill a small bucket with a mild bleach solution and toss the used squares into it. Yeah, you might want a cover for the bucket. When the bucket is full or the supply of squares is running low, wash them with hot water and bleach and be sure to rinse them well.

WEAPON. Old socks could serve a similar purpose as the cut T-shirts above. They could also make for a decent, expedient weapon for self-defense. Toss in a rock about the size of a golf ball, or perhaps one or two dead C batteries, and you’ve made a sap, or slapjack. Grasp at the open end of the sock and swing the sock at your target. Of course, if there are holes in the toe end of the sock, you’ll want to darn it first.

TOOL KIT. Can’t afford a good multi-tool? How about a simple pair of pliers? Think about it, most multi-tools consist of a pair of pliers with a knife blade and a few other tools attached in some way. While the whole point of a multi-tool is to have all of these tools in one handy package, that doesn’t mean you can’t go the old-fashioned route. A small pair of pliers, a folding knife, and a pair of wire cutters and you’ll be in business. Nite Ize makes a really great belt pouch system for carrying such tools, and it isn’t all that costly, either.

We often get hung up on how certain types of gear are supposed to look. We should be far more concerned about function over form. If it works, keep it. If it doesn’t work, move on to the next alternative and test it out. Step outside the box and you’ll find a world of possibilities at your fingertips.

PREPPER USES FOR ALUMINUM FOIL

Aluminum foil is incredibly useful to the prepper. It is also very cheap, which makes it even more appealing. Shop around, though, and always go for the heavy-duty foil rather than choosing strictly based on price. The thicker and more durable the foil, the better off you’ll be when using it for things other than just covering your casserole.

SCARING BIRDS. If you have fruit trees or shrubs, hang a few strips of foil in the branches. Doing so will help scare off birds that might otherwise be a nuisance to you.

PROTECT TREES IN WINTER. When their normal food sources aren’t available due to snow cover and such, some animals will take to eating the inner bark of trees. Protect yours by wrapping the trunk with a few layers of foil. No need to do the entire tree, of course; just the first few feet should be sufficient.

SHARPEN SCISSORS. Fold a small sheet of foil a few times, then cut through it four to five times with the scissors. This is a great way to keep scissors sharp without resorting to a strop block or other device.

POT SCRUBBER. If you’re away from home and need to scrub out your cooking pot, crumple up a small piece of foil to use as your scouring pad.

FRYING PAN. While not nearly as good as an actual frying pan, the forked end of a stick may be wrapped a few times with foil to make a makeshift pan. I wouldn’t use it for heavy items, but it’ll do in a pinch for most things.

BOOT PRINT. Before heading out on a hiking or camping trip, take a moment to make a boot print using a piece of foil. Tear off a section of foil large enough so your foot will fit on it. Take the foil to a grassy area and step on it, slowly but firmly. The boot impression will be very useful to trackers if you end up lost. Put the print on the floor of your front seat along with a note with your name, the date and time you’re hitting the trail, and when you expect to return.

RESIZING BATTERIES. If you have a device that uses AA batteries and all you have are AAA, no need to fear. Crumple small balls of foil to place at the ends of the batteries so they make contact with the terminals in the battery compartment.

FOOD PACKETS FOR COOKING. Many campers know this trick already. Aluminum foil can be used to make great little single-serve packets to cook right on the coals of a fire. I’ve heard these called “Hobo Tin Foil Dinners,” which is as good of a name as any, I guess. The classic version uses ½ pound of hamburger (the leaner, the better), cut-up potatoes, carrots, and onions, and a bit of butter and seasoning. Lay out a square of foil about twice as big as your food. Plop the food down in the middle and bring up two sides of the foil, folding them together and rolling it down. Then, roll up the ends, making a tight packet. Toss this on glowing coals for about 20 minutes. There are a ton of recipes out there for “foil packet cooking,” but feel free to improvise as you’d like.

FISHING LURE. A small piece of foil secured to a hook makes for a dandy little improvised fishing lure. Great for those times when you can’t find any natural bait.