Make Your Own Clothing And Gear

Make Your Own Clothing And Gear by Gary Benton
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There may come a time when you might be forced to make your own clothing or accessories you need in the field. When I attended survival school, we had to make packs, goggles, some small pouches, and other gear. Generally, it is not that difficult to do, but it does take some serious preplanning. For instance, what you may need is never a problem to identify, but how to make it may take some consideration as well as a great deal of time. Then, you must consider what to make it out of, using only what you have on hand.

Those of us in survival situations in the Air Force usually had access to parachutes from crashed planes. Perhaps we had bailed out and at least had one “chute” with us. A personnel parachute, when I was in the military, was twenty-eight feet in diameter. That, my friends, is enough to make your shelter and all the accessories you may ever need. What about you, the average civilian who does not have a parachute? What do you have to use for emergencies. Well, each survival situation is unique because your equipment and supplies may be limited in some cases. However, you will always have something available to use.

In my minimum survival kit I have a small sewing kit that I always have with me, the type hotels give away for free with a room. This kit aids in keeping my buttons on, rips repaired, or even for medical purposes if need be like removing splinters or opening blood pockets that hurt under a nail, etc. The kit is handy, but by using a sharp stick and some wire, cord, or grasses, you can do the same chore; it just takes more patience and skill. You may have to punch a hole with a sharp stick or knife blade, and weave the wire, cord, or grasses through the holes to hold the material together.

If your car breaks down, you have unlimited survival resources available to you. Everything from the battery to the car seat covers can be used toward your survival efforts. You have many miles of wires, for snares or use as line maybe, and insulation you can also use to your advantage. The key here, is to use your mind and consider unorthodox ways of using what you have available to stay alive or to signal rescuers with. I once read of a man and woman who survived subzero weather by using crumpled up newspapers to line their coats with. In another case, I read about a man who used his hubcaps to shine the sun on a rescue aircraft, he didn’t have a commercial signal mirror and hadn’t considered his car mirrors for some reason. Yet, another man used a side mirror from his car to signal an aircraft with. Additionally, car tires, motor oil, or rubber floor mats, will give off a dark smoke when burned, so consider those for signaling as well. Think and survive.

Let’s get back on track and consider what simple items you can make that can be worn in some useful fashion. Headgear, Arab style, can be made from a towel, t-shirt, or large piece of cloth. Just make sure there is a headband of some sort used with it, so it is held firmly in place. In addition, goggles can be made from cloth, wood, or plastics. Just cut two small slits where your eyes will be and have a hole on each end of the goggle. It can then be tied around the head so it is held firmly in place. Goggles are very important for eye protection in both desert and arctic environments to avoid injury to the eyes from sun glare.

In cold weather you can construct insulated socks by taking a pair of socks, placing dried grasses or paper in them, and then inserting a sock covered foot. If you only have one pair of socks, place the insulating material in the shoe. Make sure the dried grass or paper covers the foot 360 degrees. Then, the sock with insulation may be inserted in a boot, I suggest you always buy your boots just a tab larger than needed, or wear a handmade moccasin. The key to insulation against the cold is dead air spaces. These spaces heat up quickly and retain heat very well. Of course, once the grasses or paper become compressed or compact, they need to be changed. Check them at least twice a day and don’t expect them to be very comfortable, we’re talking survival here not comfort.

Moccasins can be made from a large triangular piece of cloth or leather. Keep one tip of the triangle the front of the foot and the other two tips outward on each side of the heel. Then, raise all three tips and secure in place with rope or string. While there are better and more durable moccasins that can be made, this type can work well in an emergency for short periods of time and they are easy to make even by a beginner. Remember, we want working clothes, not fashion.

Puttees or gaiters can be made from just about any cloth or leather. They are merely wrappings that go around the ankles and up the legs. In the military, during World War II, they were referred to as leggings. I suggest you cut your material in strips, about 2 or 3 inches wide, and wrap the legs, start at the bottom and go up. Gaiters can keep insects out of your pants and offer some protection from brush and briars as you travel. Keep in mind, green or uncured leather will shrink if it gets wet. So, if you use fresh uncured leather to wrap your legs with, try to keep your gaiters dry.

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