The idea of alcohol as a lifesaver in the wilderness can be pleasantly surprising, but why not? After all, the wild is where we find a purpose for every item other than what it meant. And that’s what makes us preppers, isn’t it?
American bourbon was always meant to be a classic moonshine of amber color and fiery, yet smooth taste in oak casks. Since the first cask of this drink was produced, its purpose has always been to help us get high and fall from the sky. To get lost… or as preppers, save our life in the wilderness. But how?
5 Ways To Use Alcohol As A Lifesaver In The Wilderness
American bourbon is just like any ordinary alcoholic drink, not in its taste, of course, but it’s basically of the same caste with Hennessy, whiskey, and others that you know. What this means is that any alcoholic drink can be beneficial in the wild.
However, having been in circulation for over 200 years, the American bourbon has now transcended the level of a casual alcoholic brand. It has assumed the status of heritage, having now traveled past Kentucky, its hometown. If you’re going camping, the chances that you’re packing American bourbons along are high. As a result, we’ll focus on American bourbon’s specific uses in the wilderness, although, as already mentioned, other alcoholic beverages can perform these functions.
Make A Fire
Alcohol is typically flammable; the reason perfumes excite fire. American bourbon contains a volume of about 40% alcohol, and while this is lower than the water content, there’s no gainsaying the flammability of it. There’s a catch, though: you have to prepare for the water. Here’s what I mean.
Ethanol will light rapidly but, the moment it burns out, all that’s left is water — which you may know is not a close ally of fire. This means that pouring a bottle of booze on a bunch of damp sticks will only make it wetter after the alcohol burns out. So, here’s what to do.
Instead of wetting the fuel (sticks) directly, soak a disposable cloth in booze and place beneath the sticks before setting fire to it. That way, the alcohol will burn long enough for the flames to catch the sticks. After that, it’s FIRE ON.
And, no, in case you were wondering, steaks made on this fire will not make you tipsy. Your kids can eat.
Disinfect A Wound
It may not be your usual idea of a disinfectant, say like hydrogen peroxide or Neosporin, but alcohol will wash the spot pretty clean in an emergency.
Your bourbon cannot only get you drunk. It will kill harmful pathogens in your wound instantly, whether on cuts, bruises, or scratches. Be warned, though; this will sting badly, particularly when it’s a large surface, but there’s hardly a more effective way to kill microbes. Pour a generous quantity on your wound or apply on the gauze to be used.
It is also an excellent cleaner. If you have a dirty wound, you can always purify it with bourbon, as long as you can take the sting. What you have to do is spritz bourbon aggressively on your wound, so your body can forcefully eject whatever dirt is in it. You can make a hole in the cap of a water bottle for a spritzer and then pour some alcohol in the bottle.
Sanitize Gear
If you’re keen on germ-free surroundings, then you may have to worry about your gear, especially when blood is dripping off it after a buffalo stab. Asides the longing for a germ-free surrounding, sanitized gear will also ensure that your kill does not get infected by harmful pathogens that may be on your gear.
Here’s what to do: soak your gear in a generous amount of bourbon for about 5 minutes. That’s enough time to send a quick death to the creeping, crawling fellas which are too tiny for your ordinary eyes to see.
There’s no time that your gear can’t become infected, so the ideal time to sanitize it may be just before use.
Make Some Herbal Medicine
Speak of the Messiah: first a fire fuel, then a disinfectant, then a sanitizer and now a medicine?
With some little knowledge, bourbon can make you an effective medicine. The implication of this is that you no longer have to be hurried into leaving camp when you catch the common fever. It can be helped right where you are. The process takes weeks, though, so you should make it even before you leave home or as soon as you set up your camp, although the former is the better option. Do not wait until you’re sick.
Get a container that can be tightly covered. Break up —cut, crush it, chop— the herb you want to use for your medicine, and put it into the container (a glass jar may be preferable). Pour a sufficient amount of bourbon in the jar and cover. Leave in a cool, dark place for six weeks, and that’s it. Tincture ready.
Herbs that you can use for your tincture include boneset, burdock root, and yarrow leaves.
Repel Mosquitoes
There are about 3000 species of mosquitoes, most of which are random disease carriers. They carry malaria, dengue fever, hello fever, Chikungunya, and many other diseases. Yes, these little, bloodsucking succubuses are not exactly good neighbors. Fortunately, you can send them packing using bourbon, but only briefly, say between 30 – 45 minutes.
To repel mosquitoes using bourbon, rub on your skin like a lotion, but this comes with a catch. As mentioned before, this will repel mosquitoes for an average of 40 minutes only. So, be mindful of reapplying now and then. This will be highly frustrating if your muttering charmers are very persistent. But hey, the darkest hour comes before the dawn.
Takeaway From Alcohol As A Lifesaver In The Wilderness
There are many more benefits tied to the ability of alcohol as a lifesaver in the wilderness. Apart from the tips mentioned above, bourbon will help you sleep better (you know how obviously), make a Molotov cocktail (a poor man’s grenade), and do some barter trading, if the situation warrants it.