23
votes
Are there any natural materials that can be used as a magnifying lens (or to craft one)?
It's possible to do it with ice that has been shaped into a convex lens. The ice needs to be clear and fairly large like 5 inches across. Obviously this won't work in the summer, and the cold ...
- 69.2k
18
votes
Duct tape as adhesive bandage
Yes you can. Just be aware that Duct tape is very sticky in comparison to regular medical tape, so when you go to peel it off, it puts a lot more stress on the healing wound and is likely to re-open ...
- 9,664
11
votes
Accepted
Can you start a wood fire with a Spark Bunsen Burner/Laboratory Lighter?
The technical answer is simply: yes. But that answer would be deceiving, so...
Can it be done?
Yes. It throws out some decent sparks. The device works by scraping a tiny piece of flint over steel. ...
- 3,526
10
votes
Accepted
Start a fire with key fob battery?
With just the right equipment in a laboratory setting, you can use the energy in a key fob battery to cause a spark. You can then use that to start a fire under the right conditions.
However, that's ...
- 21.4k
10
votes
Accepted
How to create a cast or splint to aid a broken bone?
A cast is meant to promote long-term healing of a broken bone, and getting a cast typically requires a doctor in a definitive care environment. A splint is the preferred treatment for fractures and ...
- 8,710
9
votes
How can one tiller a bow without a tillering tree or similar wooden device?
(First of all: I'm not used to the english words here.) I think tillering trees refere to the contraptiosn you do mount on walls / something standing upright, using a string and a pulley. But you can ...
- 1,747
9
votes
Accepted
Starting a Fire with a Battery - what are the fundamental guidelines for safety and efficacy?
As principle behind this think about your old light bulb. One emergency method of lighting a fire used to be to break the glass of the light bulb in your flashlight and burn the filament, no more no ...
- 3,280
9
votes
Accepted
How can one tiller a bow without a tillering tree or similar wooden device?
Back when I learned to build my own bows a guy in the club I belonged to used just a ledge and a baggie of lead weights (tire balancing stuff). I suppose you could reproduce it "in the wild" hanging ...
- 3,280
9
votes
Are there any natural materials that can be used as a magnifying lens (or to craft one)?
(Taking into account that we do have an "ice" answer already)
The one magnifying lens that is fast and easy to get and that does have an optical quality that actually helps vision as a magnifying ...
8
votes
Accepted
How to protect sunglasses without a case?
A clean sock will protect them from scratches with no need for fasteners and it takes a fair bit of pressure or impact to actually damage glasses (bending them slightly is another matter). Once ...
- 26.1k
8
votes
How to create a cast or splint to aid a broken bone?
One of the most effective splinting materials is birch bark. Peel it off the tree just as you would if you were going to use it to make a canoe. It's very stiff, and it has some natural curl to it. ...
- 53.5k
8
votes
Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?
I'm a physician. High proof alcohol – be it ethanol or rubbing – causes osmotic bursting of cells – like distilled water – and hurts like Hell. It is only suitable for surfaces,...
- 97
8
votes
Is there a way to light a fire in the wild using rocks?
Yes you will need a special kind of rock. The spark is a tiny bit of burning iron struck off the source of iron by a really hard rock. So if you are only using rocks then you will need 1 iron rich ...
8
votes
Duct tape as adhesive bandage
Given your comment that you want to replace an adhesive bandage, rather than medical tape:
Yes, you can use duct tape + CLEAN cloth for this, but you can do a few things to make it more pleasant.
Cut ...
- 1,297
7
votes
How to measure the temperature without a thermometer?
Yes, you can build a basic thermometer using just water, or any liquid. You first need to mostly seal it in a container (like a glass bottle) and use a straw or thin clear tube immersed in it to allow ...
- 71
7
votes
Accepted
How to measure the temperature without a thermometer?
Assuming that you are not going to use if for checking fever. There are other ways to check fever.
There is no mechanism, or a piece of equipment (other than dedicated thermal transducers) I have ...
- 31.7k
7
votes
Accepted
When stranded, how do I choose a place to camp on an island?
This depends greatly on the situation at hand and there are enormous amounts of factors that will effect your decision to build in a specific location.
For example, if you are in an extremely remote ...
- 582
7
votes
Hot water system as a heater for car camping?
In the outdoors, the way to deal with cold is not to heat the environment, but to insulate yourself. You say "snow line", so it appears you aren't asking about anything particularly cold.
Just get a ...
- 21.4k
6
votes
How to protect sunglasses without a case?
For the scenario, no backpack, no nothing, just a short hike and you find your treasure shining in the sun.
Find a piece of grass that won't break easily and can be bended without breaking in ...
- 161
6
votes
How can one tiller a bow without a tillering tree or similar wooden device?
To answer your question, I can refer to this answer on this question. Check out point 5:
5. Tillering
Hang the bow up horizontally on a branch or piece of scrap wood by the
handhold. Now ...
- 23.5k
5
votes
How to protect sunglasses without a case?
Any sturdy box big enough to hold them would work, also when the box is a lot bigger.
You can fill the empty space with something soft, like a piece of clothing you happen to have handy.
The smaller (...
- 3,579
5
votes
When stranded, how do I choose a place to camp on an island?
Shelter is by far the most important initial consideration. Since you are stranded there anyway, you will have the opportunity to move your camp.
Since you specify a tropical island, you want shelter ...
- 4,802
5
votes
Are there any natural materials that can be used as a magnifying lens (or to craft one)?
As has been mentioned in other answers, for vision, a pinhole device, similar to what is used for pinhole cameras, is your best bet. Short of water (which you have already ruled out), that's about ...
5
votes
Are there any natural materials that can be used as a magnifying lens (or to craft one)?
A clear mineral crystal can be worked to a lens shape with enough time and effort. Quartz, sapphire and ruby are likely candidates. Ruby lenses were common on wand style barcode reader pens.
Even ...
- 51
4
votes
What are some heavy-duty alternatives to a long line for walking a dog on rugged terrain?
Being a sailor rather than a rock climber, my familiarity is more with nylon 3 strand twisted ropes.
With nylon twisted ropes, you can make ropes of any length without needing special splicing tools ...
- 4,802
4
votes
What are some heavy-duty alternatives to a long line for walking a dog on rugged terrain?
I'm wondering if it would be possible make him a thicker long line
with a decent clasp?
For the clasp, any climbing karabiner will be strong enough to hang a car off; I'd suggest a screwgate to ...
- 266
4
votes
What are some alternative ways of fishing - i.e. catching fish?
Trotlining is popular in the southern U.S. for catfish. It’s reminiscent of more commercial techniques and is a passive means of catching fish, where one sets out temporary rigs of rope along a ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
What materials from nature can I use to make a hunting bow in the wilderness?
In addition to the already given answers, I've found a in-depth guide on how to build a bow (full credit goes to Jason Knight).
How to Make a Quickie Bow from a Sapling
1. Choosing wood
The ...
- 23.5k
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