Bandanas for Survival

In my various articles and classes where I talk about what you should have in your pockets, I often include tissues, dust respirators and/or Band-Aids. The tissues can be used as emergency respirators or wound covers. Somehow, I neglected to include large handkerchiefs or bandanas in my recommendations. My bad! Bandanas were a must have in past centuries and should be carried by anyone seeking to be perpetually self-reliant today. Bandanas come in a variety of colors and usually are about 22 x 22 inches square, costing less than $3.00 each. They can easily be folded into any pocket. A bandana can be quickly turned into an effective bandage, tourniquet, splint/sling, dust mask*, head cover, and short rope, carrying sack, help! flag, and more. MacGyver could probably find another 100 uses. Oh, don’t forget its use as a cleaning cloth and handkerchief. I recommend that you carry two, one red or yellow and one dark or camouflage.