There are what seems like countless ways to use a bandana. This list is extensive and all uses are not for survival or emergencies, but even the random uses (such as a dog toy or baby bib) could be helpful when you need to improvise. List is in no particular order.
Medical/First Aid :
Tourniquet
Pressure Dressing
Sling
Bandage
Ice Pack
Wet and wear for Hot Weather/Cold Compress
Splint Binding
To hold poultice in place [4]
“Chafe” protector [4]
Camping / Backpacking / Bug Out :
Bind a stone and toss a line over a limb
Item Padding (wrap around sensitive items-glass)
Noise Reduction - Wrap up noise-making items in your bag to prevent them from making noise — that’s good OpSec (Operations Security) whether you’re in a SHTF situation or just enjoying a nature hike and don’t want to disturb the animals much. [1]
Mark a Trail - Trail Marker - rip into smaller strips for more
Area Marker - rip into smaller strips
Tent Gear Loft — Hang a tactical flashlight from your tent ceiling, or tie all four corners of your bandana across the tent peak to create a “gear hammock” for small items. [1]
Char Pad
Fire Tinder
Weight (Fill with rocks/dirt) for rope when toss items over branches (packs, food bags)
To pad a tumpline (A tumpline is a strap attached at both ends to a backpack or other luggage and used to carry the object by placing the strap over the top of the head. This utilizes the spine rather than the shoulders as standard backpack straps do. Tumplines should not be worn over the forehead, but rather the top of the head just back from the hairline, pulling straight down in alignment with the spine. The person then leans forward, allowing the back to help support the load. Tumplines are often used to transport heavy loads across uneven terrain such as footpaths and portages. The voyageurs of the North American fur trade used tumplines exclusively to carry their cargo of pelts and rations across portages.) [4]
Emergency Repair for broken strap on a pack [4]
Tie your water bottle or other items to your pack (rope/cordage use)
Defense :
Sling shotStaff Sling
Cleaning Patches for Firearm
Bullet Patches for Muzzleloader
Gun Wipe Cloth
Gag
Blindfold
Hand ties/Handcuffs
Weapon Concealment - Many people who pocket carry their concealed carry weapon will place a bandana on top of the gun to further cover it and disguise the outline.
[1]
Mace/Thumper - Fill with rocks tie into a bundle and whack away
Disguise your voice on the phone. This particular technique works efficiently, compared to a noisy napkin or piece of paper to disguise your voice for fun. Simple, place the bandana over the phone’s receiver. [3]
Flags (Warning, Surrender, etc)
Kitchen / Food and Water) :
Pot Holder
Dishcloth
Napkin
Pre-water Filter
Sponge - Soak up morning dew or rain water and squeeze into your mouth if you’re in need of a drink. [1]
Coffee/Tea Filter
Salad Spinner — Even if you’re foraging for leafy greens, you’ll want to wash them to be sure there isn’t any nastiness on them. Put them into a dry bandana, cinch the corners together, and give it a whirl. [1]
Food Strainer
Grease Catch - If you’re cooking sausage or bacon, and you have no napkins, lay them to drain on a clean bandana. [1]
Wrap leftover bread, pancakes, biscuits, etc. - Moisten bandana than wrap
Food Cover
Apron
Food Wrap to keep food warm
Degrease meat, bacon, etc. (another use as a towel or napkin)
Hygiene :
Bath Towel
Toilet Paper
Tissue / Snot Rag
Feminine Hygiene Pad
Diaper
Bib
Toothbrush
As an “occupied” signal outside a toilet. Simply, tie a quick-knot on the outside door knob and hope people will get the message. [3]
Clothing and Accessories :
Dust Mask / Smoke Mask / Pollen Protector / General Breathing Mask
Neck Gaiter for warmth / Sun block for neck
Sweatband
Hatband (a sweatband under your hat)
Eye Patch
Ear Muffs
Head Covering (Duh)
Sleeping Mask/Eye Cover
Sweat Band
Hair Tie
Glove
Two Bandana Face Cover
Bikini
Halter Top
Swim Bottoms/Trunks
Shoulder Pad Use a folded bandana to pad your shoulders for carrying a heavy load. [1]
Hairband/Headband
Socks
Shoe Insoles
Shoelaces - You’re gonna have to cut it into long strips first, of course. However, if you’ve run out of shoelaces in a suvival situation, I suggest you use Paracord instead. [3]
Knee Pad
Drape it over your head (and under your hat) to let the ends dangle and keep bugs out of your eyes
Ascot
Watch Fob [4]
Belt (probably going to need more than one) [4]
Pocket Protector [4]
Sash
Nose Plug
To blindfold to prevent snow blindness.[4]
Fun and Games :
Flag football flag [4]
"Capture the flag" flag [4]
Hand puppet [4]
Bandana doll [4]
The "baton" to pass in a relay race [4]
Mark a finish line [4]
Mark a Home plate [4]
Strap onto an action figure or doll for a parachute [4]
Doll Blanket [4]
Doll or action figure tent
Costume piece - wear around your head as part of a pirate costume [4] or wear around your face for a bandit
A few twigs, scotch tape and some string,
BINGO, you've got a mini kite [4]
Sling tennis balls (great for dogs) [4]
Find a long stick with a Y-shaped end. Tie a Bandana in a pouch across the Y and sling away. (Lacross Stick) [4]
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Pets/Animals :
Dog Muzzle
Dog Collar
Dog Leash
Dog Toy - Tug or war
Cat Cape [4]
General Uses :
Cordage / Rope
Signal Flag
Hot Cap Holder (Radiator / Oil)
Foraging Pouch/Basket - Such as Collecting Wild Edibles
Small Item Pouch/Purse
Hobo Pack (Bindle) or
"Hobo lunch box: (Carry on a stick--a “waltzing matilda” also called a bindlestick or to hold your personal belongings if running away from home!) [4]
Line Marker (tent lines/Clothing lines)
Clean Glasses and other lens
Tethering
Wick
"Paper" for writing
Replacement gas cap - Contrary to belief, a bandana is useful as a temporary gas cap on a vehicle; although not recommended for gas cans. Simple super stuff the outermost outlet of the vehicle’s gas tank until you can purchase a replacement. This assists to prevent detrimental levels of flammable vapor to the atmosphere. (Do not know if this is true) [3]
Pillow fill with leaves
Wind Check
Get a grip (as in help with a stuck jar)
Bookmark [3]
Sheath
Fly/Insect Swatter
To make smoke signals. First, wet the bandana, then, use it to
effectively move pockets of air from the ‘smoke stack’/cover the source of smoke and then remove the bandana from the direct path of smoke stack. This can be a lot of fun, too.http://www.survivalsullivan.com/74-bandana-uses-that-will-blow-your-mind/
To mark your territory. Simply cut it into pieces, then urinate on all of them and spread them in all directions. Although not guaranteed, this will keep some wild animals away. [3]
Tablecloth [4]
Drain Plug
Doily [4]
Sun Shade
Window Shade (for tent or actual window)
Stuff several into bag or another bandana to make pillow
Knotting Practice [4]
Tie canoes / small boats / rafts together [4]
Fish Net
Polish Boots, Shoes, Boat, Bike, Car (more towel uses)
Create a sail with several
Lampshade (becareful with bulbs that may get hot)
Gift Wrap
Patch Clothing/Tent
Hobble a pack animal [5]
Sitting Cloth
Distract a charging animal (I dont know how well this will work) [5]
Ski Ties http://survivalistprepper.net/98-uses-for-a-bandana/ [5]
Book Cover http://survivalistprepper.net/98-uses-for-a-bandana/ [5]
Hose Repair
Tweet
Sources :
If I marked a use with a source in the list it means I had not heard of or used a bandana in said way before.
[1] http://survivalathome.com/survival-uses-for-a-bandana
[2] http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/survivalist/2012/04/25-mostly-practical-uses-bandana
[3] http://www.survivalsullivan.com/74-bandana-uses-that-will-blow-your-mind/
[4] http://asher-resnick.us/180_Uses_for_a_Bandana.pdf (See other free downloadable PDF files)
[5] http://survivalistprepper.net/98-uses-for-a-bandana/
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