A bandana is another one of those things that is useful for a thousand things but nothing specific. It’s right up there with duct tape and rope. The things only weigh a couple ounces, they are dirt cheap and are a must-have in your Bug Out Bag or Urban Survival Gear. Here is just a shortlist of possible uses for a bandana.
- Signal (also see signal mirror)
- Neck Gaiter for cold weather
- Tourniquet (But for Snake Bites use a Sawyer Extractor)
- Pot Holder
- Collecting Wild Edibles
- Sunblock for neck
- Sling (first-aid – also see medical kits for you BOB)
- Sling (as in David and Goliath)
- Sling (for a staff )
- Cordage (strips or as is)
- Washcloth/Towel (Bathe out of a Collapsible Bucket)
- Sweatband
- Waist pack/pouch
- Hobo Pack
- Padding a hotspot
- Cleaning Patches for Firearm
- Bullet Patches for Muzzleloader
- Gun Wipe Cloth (with oil)
- Toilet Paper
- Mark a Trail
- Dish Rag
- Napkin
- Eye patch
- Pre-water No products found. (like Coffee Filters)
- Clean Glasses and other lens
- Ear Muffs
- Bind a stone and toss a line over a limb
- Dust Mask (in Urban Survival)
- Wet and wear for Hot Weather
- Sneezing
- First aid bandage
- Ice pack when snow and ice are available
- Snow goggles
- Lash poles
- Lash a tripod
- Make a dip net
- Use as a wind gauge
- Use as a press to squeeze water from saturated materials
- A glove to pick up dirty items
- A tool lanyard
- Collect morning dew
- Patching material for gear repair
- Make char cloth
- Make a fly fishing lure
- An automatic signaling flag for traps
- A muzzle
- Improvised handcuffs
- A blind
- Padding in footwear
- A cheek pad for long gun stocks
- Fashion a zipper pull
- Hat liner
- Padding under straps
- Lens cover to protect optics
- Clean out water bladder tubing
- Wave away annoying insects
- Keep track of tools and people by tying brightly colored bandanas to them.
- A potholder for removing hot items from a fire
- Improvised tea or coffee bag
- A general collection container
Quick Navigation
More Than One
Since bandanas are so cheap and easy to carry it is a great idea to have more than one, but you should keep them separated. Have a few available that can be used frequently for “dirty” work such as wiping sweat off your face or tying gear up. Keep the rest of them clean by storing them in a baggie in your pocket or pack.
Cutting a Bandana
If you need to cut a bandanna for cordage the first approach is to cut the material into straight strips. This works but it limits the overall length of a single piece of cordage.
To get the most cordage and longest single piece possible out of a bandana try this instead. Start at the corner of the bandanna and begin cutting around the perimeter. As the cut progresses turn the cutting tool so that you are cutting in a more circular motion. By spiraling inward, you can achieve a much longer piece of cordage.
What Else?
Bandanas have many uses and we highly recommend them. They have many use-cases and should be an essential part of any type of “go” bag.
Leave a comment and tell us what else you use bandanas for.
Roll up as if it were a headband and cut slits for eyes and use as snow shades (prevent snow blindness). Use as pockets for making other weapons such as bolos and hurls.
Survivor_1997,
Good idea for the snow blindness, it can be a real pain and even dangerous in a survival situation.
The only time I have made something like a bolo is when I was a kid, but it could definitely work.
A bandana was one of the first things I got for backpacking and it goes with me every time no matter how light I'm packing.
My preference is a thin 100% cotton cowboy bandana, at least 34" x 34" in a light/neutral/dirt color/pattern. Unless you really can't find/make something similar, don't bother with those crappy little poly blend ones you can buy at 'sports' stores, urban outfitters, convenience stores or truck stops. A fallback and good for some of the mentioned uses in the article would also be one of those Arab scars – variously known as keffiyeh, kafiyah, (ya)shmagh, ghutrah, mashadah, shemagh, or hijab.
My uses:
1. drape a wet one loosely around your neck for evaporative cooling when hot – very effective
2. knot/fold into a hat/head and neck shade for protection from sun, wind or cold
3. draped loosely over the head and shading the eyes to keep gnats or no-see-ums out of your face and eyes
4. general sweat/dirt wipe
5. folded up as a butt pad for sitting on rough/damp surfaces
You could use one as a field dressing too, but I'd really hate to have to use one as a butt wipe – too useful for other things.
Matt,
I agree with you about getting cotton ones. There are very few survival items that are better cotton than synthetic but a bandana is one.
I used it to knot my pack shut when the zipper failed. I didn't want to duct tape shut it because I wanted fast access to what was inside.
That's a good one Elizabeth.
Another one of those "you never know why you're going to need it until it happens" type of uses.
head band….dog collar …horse lead
teresa,
Great call on those, I hadn't thought about uses for animals
We always tell the scouts to have a bandana, Didn't know there were this many uses.
I like to use them on my wife, to tie her up and mostly blindfold her.
ok, your comment made me laugh out loud and had to show my husband. lol
Prepper Man,
I'm always looking for multi-use items in my preps.
Over at TEOTWAWKI Blog they published another large list of uses for bandannas in your EDC
http://teotwawkiblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/multita…
LOL……. I think?
I agree equalizer.
My all around survival round?
Give me my .22 rimfire.
Ammo is super abundant almost anywhere you go.
You can easily pack 500 rounds in one small box.
It's effective out to 50-75+ yards,
It can kill a deer, small game, even a person if need be .
it's quiet
The 5 shot 870 Express (#25549) is a 4+1 gun, meaning it holds four in the magazine plus one in the chamber. The 7 shot is a 6 + 1 gun (#25077). You can convert it to a 5 shot, but you'll need a magazine cap and the correct spring.
You're looking at about 1/4 pound difference between basic guns (7 1/2 pounds for the 7 shot). Loaded weight is not going to much more. You are striking into the heart of the "firepower vs. mobility" dilemma. Those two extra rounds may be very beneficial, but you may find that every ounce adds up if you plans include a long trek via foot.
A bandana, is about the most massively useful thing a survivalist can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your bandana in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.
More importantly, a bandana has immense psychological value. For some reason, if a strag (strag: non-survivalist) discovers that a survivalist has his bandana with him, he will automatically assume that he is also in possession of a toothbrush, face flannel, soap, tin of biscuits, flask, compass, map, ball of string, gnat spray, wet weather gear, space suit etc., etc. Furthermore, the strag will then happily lend the survivalist any of these or a dozen other items that the survivalist might accidentally have "lost". What the strag will think is that any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his bandana is is clearly a man to be reckoned with.
oh wait, that's towels.
Damnit.
A bandana, is about the most massively useful thing a survivalist can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your bandana in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.
More importantly, a bandana has immense psychological value. For some reason, if a strag (strag: non-survivalist) discovers that a survivalist has his bandana with him, he will automatically assume that he is also in possession of a toothbrush, face flannel, soap, tin of biscuits, flask, compass, map, ball of string, gnat spray, wet weather gear, space suit etc., etc. Furthermore, the strag will then happily lend the survivalist any of these or a dozen other items that the survivalist might accidentally have "lost". What the strag will think is that any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his bandana is is clearly a man to be reckoned with.
oh wait, that's towels.
Damnit.
haha . from the survival guide hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
you are an idiot
epic quote! love Douglas Adams….
thank you… this was the smartest thing I read in a while. you saved my monday morning.
Wonderful rendition. Douglas Adams would be proud!
They are great when you get an allergy attack or have a cold and don't usually carry around a box of tissue or a roll of TP. The only down fall is that you have to wash them often.
Darn, if you're gonna use this thing so often for anything…it should be washed anyway. wink wink Juliana
Wet the bandana with any liquid you would allow to touch your body/face. Pinch one corner of the bandana between thumb and fingers. Twirl the bandana quickly for about ten seconds. Apply cooled bandana to hot area of body. Temporary relief. Twirling the wet bandana uses the principle that heat goes where there is less heat. Remember this principle whether you are hot or cold.
People pay quite a bit more than the cost of a bandana for this same "cooling device"
Very good idea.
beside the "joke" about the wife, they are good improvised handcuffs/restraints
haha, yes good point.
Yep. I carry a hankerchief everyday. a "fancy" bandana I guess you could say. It just a good utility tool.
Instant kotex. Duh, boys.
Lol sexism.
Living down south (Louisiana) in a very humid environment, I once found myself in a survival situation where I needed to start a fire, but everything was soaking wet. After sorting through my pack for what little I had available, I actually came to the conclusion that I could add an oil-based insect repellant to my bandana in attempt to at least dry the tender enough to light. Unfortunately, I lost my bandana…fortunately, I'm living today to tell the story.
-By tying a bandana around the legs of your pants you can keep out ticks and chiggers when hiking. But by doing this in the mornings when dew is fresh on the ground you can pick up a good bit of fresh drinking water. If your rag is clean of course.
-If you are caught in a dust or sandstorm you can tie them over your long sleeves at the wrists to keep particles from getting in your clothes.
-And you can use them to make good old fashinoed cowboy coffee to hold your grounds.
Water filter if needed, blocks dirt & other stuff, then add iodine to kill bugs. Vitamin C masks that nasty iodine flavor.
high concentration of vitamin C in pine tea
Another "odd" use I just thought of…. ALMOST anything organic, cotton bandanna included, can be eaten as a "last ditch" attempt to obtain calories. I don't think it will taste good, or go down easy, but its an option. There are many stories of folks in arctic climates eating their gloves/mucklucks/ ect. that are made of animal skins, though they take a considerable amount of boiling from what I understand!
I use two types, 100% silk and 100% cotton, and they are both the extra large cowboy style. I would carry one made of fine woven wool if I could find one.
If you wet them and put over your head and around your neck they keep you immensely cooler and if tied, one over the other, around your neck in the winter they will keep you warmer(use the silk one for this).
Other than that the only thing I can think of is using your worn out 100% cotton bandanna to make char cloth for starting fires with.
-For urban survival, used to cover your hand to bread a window in an emergency.
-Can be used to start a fire.
-Can be used to apply pressure to a sucking chest wound.
-A wet bandanna can be placed inside an empty water bottle. This bottle can then be duct taped to the muzzle of a firearm. For smaller caliber weapons this will MUFFLE the initial shot. This is important when hunting as it may allow you a follow up shot without giving away your position.
-Can be used as a component in numerous items from booby traps to weapons. (used to create drag at the tail end of the spear, thereby making it more accurate.)
Love this list. Five stars *****
n 95 mask
not even close to an n95 mask
Better than nothing.
Use a standard kitchen flour sack towel, it's only drawback and some may say advantage is it's white.
tie around ankles legs or waist while walking through tall grass to gather a small amount of water (desperate measures)
woah u have alot ov time on ur hands. however it is a good thing to know so good work
About the same amount as anyone else, probably.
What a great post! Thanks!
Few other uses. Silence a rickety sounding rifle due to loose fitting hand guards. As a good dust cover over the bolt or action when not in use. A modified rest/sling for a rifle when in the standing where offhand shooting may be too unstable. The use as a bandage if no first aid kit is available and as a pressure bandage by tying the knot over wound. Place a rock in it and it can be used to smash a window, tethered to a stick can be used as a bludgeoning implement for self defense from animals.
These things got some good uses. Another thing is wet it and wrap it around your neck. Keeps you cool. The people who thought of all this sure are hitting it square on the ball.
do you just eat 'er whole or do you broil them or something?
Fold it into a strip tie a padlock in the middle and you have a good weapon if its needed
wrap it around your face as a mask
Grab a stick and you have a turniquet
bandanas are almost as important as duct tape…..only almost
I use mine for robbing trains.
I'm particularly fond of the Cambodian krama scarf, myself. It's been used in that country for centuries and with good reason. One of the uses I've read about was stuffing them in motorbike tires to seal a puncture.
Great for leaching out found acorns to make them less bitter entertainment for small children protection while gathering food like stinging needle or fruit from cactus
you know that In the U.S., a sleeping bag's rating typically indicates the lowest temperature at which it will keep the average sleeper warm. For example, with a 0° bag, you should be able to sleep comfortably in 0° temperature.
Thermal pharmaceutical bags are designed to provide a method for pharmacists to supply their customers with a way to transport and protect their medications from extreme outside temperature changes, as well as shocks and light. They have been in use for more than 15 years in Europe by major drug companies to help preserve the cold chain.
I carry a cowboy bandanna thing, plus wear a camo bandanna on my head with most of my hats.. . also carry/wear two shemags (terrorist rap thing)
dont forget you can also use it as a reusable baby diaper. if you tie a couple of them together and put a few slits in them then you have a makeshift fishing net. and not to mention you could tie 2 together fill it with leaves or whatever and make a pillow.
This is a great post for light-weight backpacking. I usually pack a bright bandanna and a DPM scrim.
Shemaghs are a lot better because they’re 42″ by 42″. That’s a lot of cloth!!!
roll it up like a headband, tie the ends to your front two belt loops, use it as a hammoc for your *ahem*. Greatly reduces chafing, and provides relief if chafing has already started.
Bandanna can be use as stone thrower ,roll it and put a stone and hold both end and swing to direction you wanna hit and remember to let go the other end when swinging ,remember how david
used it to slew goliath.
Has anyone actually tried using a bandanna as a rock-throwing sling? I have, and I use a oven sling as well. A bandanna is pretty much useless as a sling.
The other uses are all good, although some of them mean the bandanna becomes a one-use item.
Another good use is for water collecting from water sources otherwise hard to collect… dew, trickles on stone, or small pools in rocks.
Some of the Arab scarves (called keffiya or shemaugh) are made of fine wool. They are usually a bit larger than a bandana.
LADIES – represent!!! Don't forget these are completely acceptable for tying your hair back!!
Just got my shamagh and its really cool and could come in really handy. I'm still working out the kinks like different ways to put it on and things like that but for the most part its really cool.
I'm a new survivalist and im building my B.O.B and this is so going in it, really useful.
that's an awesome liste thanks
Use it as a weapon, to choke people.
i got this from a survival manual you can wrap them around your ankles and walk through tall grass in the morning the bandnana will soak up the dew and you can wring the water out of the bandana into your mouth or into a container of some sorts
Just had my bandana confiscated by the police for suspicion that i might be gang affiliated or using it to commit armed hold ups. Despite the fact that it was plain black with paisleys on it and was bought from an organisation that supports kids with cancer and had their logo printed on it. and was not tied around my head but neatly folded and packed in my every day carry bag. The survival machete and survival knife along with 11 other assorted blades scattered around the cab of my truck did nothing to help the situation. The whole lot got confiscated. Has it come to this that you can’t be a prepper without being victimised?
in short, "yes"
in our town there's all sorts of PSA's about preparing for disasters after upwards of 200 twisters came through the state a few years back, but then cops with a bone to pick will look for that kind of stuff just to start trouble. for me, it was friends in the police force and emergency services that woke me up to prepping in the first place!
if you're city folk and don't typically have a bandanna handy, any T-style undershirt can be used as a face mask. Simply wear on top of your head, tuck the sleeves inside-out and peek through the neck hole placed in-front of your eyes, twist-up the bottom and tie into a knot behind your head – alternatively, you could just buy a bandana, as the article suggests; they're about .60¢ at most any country service station, instead of $50 at your local Urban Outfitters, chumps…
Bad idea. I was a fireman for 24 years. My buddy had fire fighting insulated leather gloves while using an axe on a window. A large shard of glass skewered his hand strait thru, just from the weight of the glass dropping a couple feet. His hand never was the same after that. He cut tendons etc…
So during a shtf scenario doing that to your hand could be the end of you and your family due to lack of heath care. Did I mention it is painful too?
Not trying to embarass you just take my word for it, BAD IDEA. Instead use a rock or a piece of wood.
Certain fish (trout and salmon especially) are attracted to the color red. Use a small piece of red bandana as fish bait.
Those colorful cowboy-type bandannas can still be used to lure rednecks into truck stop stores to buy chrome even though there are no more Americans who own or drive trucks anymore.
I've found that a 3-foot square silk scarf bandana is very helpful and seems better than cotton. I have 2 that are finely woven and they work great in dust storms such as you get out on the Black Rock desert in Nevada, they don't burn as readily as cotton which makes them great to get things out of the fire. In a pinch Ive used them when a cold front came in as a quickie but short-term layer under my shirt.
I read you can make a powerful flail type weapon. Use a padlock and wrap a bandanna through it.
The Hobo Hanky is designed to fill the void between the bandana and the shemagh. Its 42×42, about 4 times the size of a bandana. It's patterned after the old time kerchief carried by hobos and cowboys. And it makes an excellent hobo bindle. 🙂
Can be made into a backpack. (Hudson pack)
Sew 6 or 9 and you can make a table cloth or table runner.
Bandana is usually pretty thirsty cotton… soak up water, dew – use a strip of it for an oil soaked wick
it is for shoving up your ass if you are the one who wrote all the stupid uses for it
Thanks! Didn't know there was this many uses for a bandana!
-Arctic Fox
we can add also gloves
In the 70's I wore one as a halter top. Sewed three of 'em together for a tunic dress.
I have used a pillow case, torn apart for a broken arm. Went another time to the hospital as I was delivering newspapers and the doctor, without warning, decided to completely break the small crack in the wrist. First thought was a bandana…should have stuck with it. I would never use a bandana for wiping the butt…maybe a cloth kleenex or leaves or water from a puddle. A bandana is a MUST. A pillowcase is even better. You can stuff leaves, or milkweed fluff, or cotton tree fluff if one is very ambitious and feel like climbing, into the pillow case, Maybe several and make a comforter.