Many preppers don’t think about all the various survival uses for extension cords. And that’s a shame, considering these multi-use survival tools can really help you out in a crisis.
The versatility of these cords extends far beyond just allowing you to plug things in at a distance. In fact, they’re so useful that it would be worth it to add a few to your vehicle and bug out bag in case of emergencies.
You’ll be amazed at these…
11 Survival Uses For Extension Cords
Double The Cordage
Find a cheap, thin extension cord (not the big bulky ones) that no longer works. Ensuring it’s not plugged into anything, cut the cord in half. You’ll notice there are two durable fibers running the length of the cord.
Use a knife to chip away at the outside insulation (aka the Separate these two strands – you now have cordage to use for various activities. Not to mention, these cords have insulation, which will help protect them.
Going Deeper
If you need more (and thinner) cordage, take those two fibers you just exposed in the previous step. Now take a knife and cut away at the insulation, exposing the fibers within.
These thin fibers can provide even more cordage for you to use. For instance, you can remove them, twist them together and make a strong rope.
Or if you’re able to separate the individual fibers, these can provide a way to complete tasks that require very delicate strands and nimble fingers. For instance, you can use one of these individual fibers to tie off the stems or nose piece of your glasses if they break off.
Siphoning
Use a large, bulky extension cord for this use.
Making sure it’s unplugged, cut the cord in two pieces. You’ll see 3 copper cords inside the casing. Remove these inner cords (being sure to keep the outer casing intact) and set them aside for later use.
Now use the outer casing to help you siphon liquids. This can be a big help if you need to siphon gasoline in an emergency.
Large, bulky extension cords are often best for this use.
Heavy buckets are great for transporting things. But if the handle breaks off, it can be a big pain to carry. Luckily you can replace that handle with an extension cord.
Empty the bucket and drill one hole near the top on opposite sides of the bucket. These holes should be big enough to fit the extension cord through.
Now push one end of the cord through each hole, and tie the two ends together inside the bucket. This will provide you a sturdy handle to help move your supplies.
Get A Handle On Things
Get A Good Grip
If you’re carrying something that’s hard to hold onto, you can wrap an extension cord around it. This will give your hands a grippier surface to carry the item with ease.
Tie Off Extra Items
Got too much stuff to carry? Use a thin extension cord to tie additional items to your bug out bag.
Replace A Strap
Got a broken backpack strap? Not to worry.
Take a thin extension cord and remove the inner fibers. Twist them together to form a strong cord. This will allow you to tie the strap back on so you can keep moving.
Protect Your Survival Food
Don’t want animals getting into your food while you sleep? Place your food in a sturdy bag, and tie it to a high tree branch. This will help protect it from wandering animals searching for grub.
Trap Animals
Need to catch dinner? The outer and inner cords (as well as the inner fibers) of an extension cord can help you make a snare to trap small animals.
Tie Off Your Shelter
Using a tent or a tarp to provide you shelter? You can secure it to the ground with the help of extension cord.
Slip a cord through the eyelet, and tie it off to something heavy (i.e: a large rock, tree trunk, etc). This will help keep your shelter intact.
Help Your Partner
If one of your buddies falls into a ravine and can’t climb out, you may need to lower food and water down to them while you wait for help.
Tie a big, bulky extension cord to a bucket and fill it with essentials. Now attach that cord to others to form a long rope. You can use this rope to lower the bucket to the person in the ravine.
In addition, if you have enough extension cords, they can tie the end of that rope around their waist so you can help pull them out.
BONUS: 3 Ways To Use & Store Extension Cords In Everyday Life
One of the headaches that come with using extension cords is that they’re big and bulky, making them easy to tangle and inconvenient to store. Not to mention, two cords plugged into each other can become disconnected fairly easily.
The video below shows you easy, convenient ways to solve both these issues. Enjoy!
There are even more survival uses for extension cords than the ones in the list above. What others can you think of? Let us know in the comments below.
