12 SODA CAN RESCUE & EMERGENCY USES

1. Fish hook - If you pull the tab off and cut a small "pie" section from the center. If it's cut at an angle, this will create a sharp hook for fishing. (Use the Kevlar thread or fishing line core from your rescue item).

2. The obvious use is as a container for gathering and boiling water for safe drinking. Staying hydrated is a major factor in an emergency situation. You can use a small stick to poke in the hole in the can or tab to help you put it in or out of your fire.

3. Lantern - The inside of the can is very reflective and can be used to your advantage. One way is to make a reflective lantern. To do this, make a vertical cut from the top to the bottom on the "flat" side of the can, then make two more horizontal cuts along the top and bottom of the can where the "flat" part starts and cut almost half way around the circumference of the can.
You now have 3 slits, 2 horizontal (1 top and 1 bottom) and one vertical connecting the center of those slits. Fold both of your newly created flaps toward the outside of the can reveling the reflective inside of the can. You can now put a candle, pitch, chapstick, crayon or any other long burning material in the can to make it brighter and directional.

4. Megaphone - If you cut along the bottom and inside lip of the can, you will now have a cylinder that you can use to magnify your voice if you are yelling for help or trying to communicate at a long distance. (Make sure you cut on the inside of the top so you won't cut your lip when using)

5. Parabolic Mirror - You can polish the outside bottom of the can and use it as a parabolic mirror to start your tinder bundle. Chocolate or toothpaste seem to work the best to polish to a mirror-like finish, but use whatever means you can to polish and not scratch. If you can see a reflection of yourself then you have a polished mirror and you are read to harness the power of the sun.
Hold the can close to your body to keep it steady and point in in the direction of the sun. You can hold your finger or a small stick a few inches away to try to focus the magnified sunbeam as small as you can. Try not to block or shade the mirror from the sun (If you are using your finger, you will feel the heat.)
Take your small dry stick, dry grass, charcloth, paper or with something that will catch the heat and focus the beam on to your material. When you see smoke, keep going. You will soon have flame to put into your tinder bundle.

6. Hanger - Like the fishhook method, you can fashion yourself a hanger to use to keep gear or food off the ground or to hang clothes out to dry. Use the paracord from one of your rescue items to assist.

7. Signaling - As mentioned before, the inside of the can is very reflective. This again can be used to your advantage to signal for help or communicate much like a signal mirror.
With one hand, hold your fingers in a V (like a fifle site) and aim at your target.
With the other hand, use a large piece cut from the can shiny side out to reflect the sun on to your V shaped fingers. When you can see the reflection on your fingers, you are able to direct your signal to your target.

8. Char-cloth - Instead of using an Altoids tin, you can also use the soda can to make your char-cloth. The down side is you have to have a fire going in order to make it.
But, char-cloth is a great thing to have on your person to make fire starting much easier for the next time. It only needs a small amount of heat of a small spark it ignite into an ember. .
You will need some cloth to burn. A bandana, underwear, spare sock or shirt, whatever you can spare.
Cut the can in half horizontally the push the folded drinking tab back into place to seal the drinking hole.
Put your small cloth pieces in the bottom half and put small crimps in the bottom have so the top half will fit over the bottom and seal.
Put the can into the hot fire and let it burn for a few minutes. You will know it is ready when the can has stopped smoking.
Take a small stick and retrieve your can from the fire by poking it thru the tab. Let the can cool. You now have char-cloth and a container to carry it in. You may eve be able to polish the bottom again to use as a parabolic mirror to start another fire. (See number 5)

9. Alarm - There are times when you can't see what or who is out there in the dark and you will need a warning device. You can use the inner core of your paracord or a piece of fishing line to fashion a trip alarm system using a can or cans around the perimeter of your camp to warn you of intruders.

10. Fishing Spinner or Lure - Using a small piece cut from your can, you are able to make yourself a spinning lure for fishing. Most fish are attracted to shiny moving objects and will attack it.
You can use a cutout of a small propeller-like object to attach on to your fish hook towards the eye by punching a hole in the center and gently twist the blades to make it spin.

11. Stove - using the method in number 8, you will also be able to use your prized can as a stove or an oven for small edibles. There is also a way to make an alcohol stove that works very well. (here)  But, if you are lost and need to survive until you get rescued, you probably don't have any flammable liquid on your person.
You are a creative person and you will surly find what works best for you.

12. Fishing Reel - If you have fishing line (inner core of your BeRescued paracord) and a hook (see item 1) then you will also need a fishing reel.
Tie one end to the tab on the top of the can and start to wind your line around the can leaving a place for your hand. You will be able to use this as a reel and also store your line.
Another way is to cut a hole in the bottom of the can and put a small stick thru the top drinking hole and the hole you just created. Now you have a free-spinning reel. Just watch out for tangles.

Stay safe my friends.

Be Safe, Be Prepared and BeRescued

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