The Novice Survivalist
A novice outdoorsmen learning camping, fishing, bushcraft and survival. "KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL"
Dirt time 7- Cotton Bandana
Cotton Bandana.
Yes a bandana, And specifically 100% cotton. Why, The obvious reason is its a bandana. Useful in getting sweat off your face,
and hanging around your neck. After all its a fashion statement. For the everyday person that is. But for us survivalist types, well….
The reasons the “Cotton Bandana’ item is on the 10 C’s of Survival list is
- It wipes the sweat from your face
- It should be a bright orange color and used as a signaling device.
- Can Be used to filter large debris from water to be purified for drinking
- Makes Char cloth for fire starting
- A make shift bandage for wound care
- Used for keeping small items together
- Made into strips to lash together items or supports for a shelter, To name a few.
And you thought it was just a bandana.
Although it does not make the first must have 5 items in the list, it is a multi use item. Easy to store or carry on your person, either in a pocket or yes, around your neck. Its an easy add to the list.
There are many different kinds, sizes and colors available to the survivalist or camper. However a must is it has to be cotton. 100% cotton. Using it to make char cloth is the number one important use of the Bandana in my ” Novice ” opinion. Number 2 is its use as a signaling device to alert rescue to your location. The brighter and louder the color the better. However signal orange is the way to go.
A search for a bandana for your emergency kit will reveal many options. As previously mentioned size and color options are the obvious. You can get them in signal orange, along with “how to” survival advise imprinted on one side. Useful tips for the survivalist.
As I mentioned, for me the Char cloth is my main interest in the bandana. However making it (Char cloth) seems quiet a challenge to me. I imagine, the shock, a lot of practice will be needed. Here is the basics from what I understand.
First off……
Char Cloth:
From Wikipedia….”Char cloth (or charcloth) – also called charpaper – is a swatch of fabric made from vegetable fiber (such as linen, cotton or jute) that has been converted via pyrolysis into a slow-burning fuel of very low ignition temperature.”
So all you need is …
- A small tin, like an altoid tin.
- Something to make a small hole in the lid ( Nail Knife…etc.)
- A fire or some good hot coals
- Some Cotton Cloth.
And you are set to process some Char Cloth. Easy ha?. We will see. Having read up on this and watched very carefully, how to videos , I am still skeptical. This will require some learning. Maybe even a couple of tries before any great success. But as a survivalist “we must persist.”
Don’t have access to the outdoors to build a fire etc. Well here is a link to a great how to make it while indoors. Click here to view the how to video from Tactical Intelligence channel.
Here is what I believe I need to do.
- Cut some strips of 100% cotton cloth. (Bandana, T shirt or Denim seems to be the norm. here).
- Place then into a small tin with a lid. The lid needs to have a small hole in it to allow for gasses to escape out.
- Place the tin in a fire or hot coals and watch for the gasses to expel out of the hole in the lid.(If you are doing this indoors on a stove you might want to ignite the gasses to prevent your fire alarm from going off.)
- Once the gasses/smoke stop the Char cloth is ready.
It important to wait for the tin to cool before opening. If the Char cloth is ready it should be a solid black color and crumble in you fingers . If there is a brown color still showing the Char is not complete. back to the fire or heat source until its all black.
Using the char cloth gives you the survivalist another quick fire starter option. It is extremely easy to get an ember from it. Using a Ferrocerium rod and steel, lighter or any other method, to get your birds nest (tinder)going.
So I am sure you will be expecting the usual accompanying video so stay tuned its coming.
Remember, “Knowledge is a survival skill”
Don’t forget to check out my resource page. Lots of interesting and fun Videos and links
The novice Survivalist
The Novice Survivalist 
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