The Many Uses For Zip Ties, And Why You Should Have Them In Your Bug-Out Bag

The following excerpts are compiled is from NewsTarget, Food Storage Moms, and Survival.News:

General Uses And Specs

Part of being a resourceful prepper is learning how to use common household items in a survival situation. Zip ties are a prime example of such an item. Though usually made of plastic, zip ties are surprisingly durable. They are also dirt cheap and take up very little space, so you can easily pack them in large quantities.

Zip ties are one of the most versatile items you can have in your bugout bag (BOB). Here are 10 ways to use zip ties in a survival situation:

Pack items. Zip ties allow you to organize small items, such as cords, cordage and utensils. You can use zip ties to keep items tightly packed as well. Roll clothes, blankets and tarps as tightly as you can and secure the rolls with zip ties.
Create a snare. Use zip ties to build snares for any kind of game.
Make handcuffs. If you need to tie up an intruder, you can use zip ties as handcuffs. Just make sure to use the bigger zip ties and secure them behind the person’s back. This will make it more difficult to remove the zip ties.
Build an emergency shelter. You can use zip ties to secure tarps together when building a shelter. They can also be used to anchor the shelter to a nearby tree or to the ground. (Related: How to build an emergency shelter inexpensively.)
Repair a broken zipper pull. You can use a zip tie to fix a broken zipper pull by sliding it through the hole and closing it until it’s tight around the zipper slider. Cut the tie to the desired length.
Close pants around the ankles. Secure a zip tie around either ankle to protect against ticks, snakebites and mosquito bites.
Hold a splint in place. In case you need to splint a limb, toe or finger, you can use a zip tie to keep the splint in place. Don’t forget to cut off the excess.
Secure items onto backpacks. Attach extra gear or supplies to your backpack by running a zip tie through anything resembling a hole. You can also use zip ties to secure items to your belt or to a carabiner.
Make a tourniquet. You can also use a zip tie as an improvised tourniquet. Simply secure it just above the area of the wound to cut off bleeding. Place a piece of fabric underneath the zip tie so that it doesn’t bite into the skin.
Use as a tamper-evident device. Forget about using padlocks to secure your bags and supply packs since those can be easily picked. Use zip ties instead. If something that has been secured with a zip tie was tampered with, the zip tie would either be cut or stretched out.

Choosing The Right Zip Tie

There are many zip ties to choose from. Consider these factors to determine the best one for your needs:

Construction – When most people think of zip ties, they think of the single-use ones you need to cut to release. Those zip ties are great for when you want to keep something secure. If not, you can opt for reusable zip ties. These zip ties are better for things that will need rearranging, such as cords.
Length – Zip ties are available in lengths ranging from four to 52 inches. Since you’ll likely be trimming them after installation, err on the side of caution and buy longer ones. If you do end up with short zip ties, you can link several together to make one long zip tie.
Tensile strength – Tensile strength is the amount of weight that a zip tie can hold without breaking. If you have a zip tie with a tensile strength of 120 pounds, for example, it will break if it is used to hold something that weighs over 120 pounds.
Color – Zip ties come in various colors. In most cases, it won’t matter what color your zip tie is. But when marking trails or sending signals, colored zip ties will get the job done.

Even More Uses

Camping DIY repair – You can repair broken hooks and loops on a tent or your gear using zip ties.
Color-coordinating your gear – You can use different colored zip ties to mark different pockets or compartments in your bug-out bag. This will help you remember what items are in different sections of your bag. For example, you can use blue zip ties for water (filters and purification tablets) and red ties for fire-making (ferro rods, matches, and tinder).
DIY spear – You can use zip ties to make a DIY spear by lashing a knife to the end of a long, sturdy branch. Make sure you use heavy-duty ties for this because they need to be tight. Use pliers on your multi-tool to pull the zip ties tight.
Fasten tarps to an emergency shelter – When packing tarps in your preps, include several zip ties. You can use the cable ties to fasten your tarp when building an emergency shelter.
Handcuffs – After you subdue an attacker who has broken into your home, you can use zip ties as makeshift handcuffs. Buy larger, wider zip ties for more holding power.
Hands-free lighting – If you don’t have a headlamp, you can use zip ties to secure a mini flashlight to a pair of safety glasses. You can use the makeshift headlamp if you need both hands free for activities like climbing.
Hang tools – Loop a zip tie through the hole in the handle of tools likes brooms or shovels and other tools. This makes them easier to hang, and you can now hang multiple tools from a single hook or nail.
Makeshift belt loop – You can attach gear that you often use to your belt loops using zip ties. Cable ties can also be used to secure items on the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) webbing of your bug-out bag. (Related: 23 Items you’re probably throwing away but SHOULDN’T.)
Medical emergencies – You can use zip ties to secure bandages or as a makeshift splint.
Quick lock – You can use several zip ties to secure all the zippers in your bag or the compartments on a toolbox. Zip ties are difficult to remove unless you cut them, which can discourage looters.
Repair backpack straps – If your bag strap breaks, you can repair it using some zip ties.
Rolling up your gear – Use one or more zip ties in a chain to keep large items, like a bedroll or a thick winter jacket, tightly packed so they use up less space in your bag.
Shoelaces – You can use several zip ties as a makeshift shoelace until you can replace your shoelaces.
Snares – You can use zip ties to make snares for catching small game like squirrels and rabbits.
Trail markers – When camping in an unfamiliar area, you can use brightly colored zip ties as DIY trail markers.
Zipper hack – If your zipper malfunctions, loop a zip tie through the end of the zipper, then zip up your pants. Hook the loop onto your button, then button your pants.

Gardening And Miscellaneous

Secure Tomato Stems to Stakes – Tomato plants can oftentimes have a difficult time supporting their own weight, even with a stake that’s helping to keep them upright. You should also consider loosely tying a zip cable around your tomato stems and stakes to make them more secure. This will also work on the sunflowers in your garden too!
Guide Your Vines on a Trellis – When you’re wanting to tame your garden vines by training them to grow in a certain direction, zip ties can guide your greenery so that they realize who’s boss.
Seal Off a Leaky Garden Hose – If you’re needing a temporary solution to stop a water leak from happening around your garden spigot, go ahead and place a stainless-steel tie around it so that you can get a better connection.
Hang Up Your Garden Tools – When you’re all finished with your garden tools, use zip ties to hang them up and from falling down. Create less clutter by doing this with your shovels, rakes, and hand gardening tools.
Use as a Temporary Fix for a Chain Link Fence – Zip ties can be used as a temporary solution the next time you run across a hole in your chain link fence. They will reinforce your fence until you can get it fixed properly.
Repair Chicken Coop Wire – For whatever reason your chicken coop wire becomes damaged, use a zip tie to reinforce the fencing, or attach a new piece to it.
Keep Wires and Cords Organized – Zip ties were invented for this very reason, so don’t hesitate to use them to keep your power cords and different wires organized when you’re not using them.
Works Better than Weed Wacker Line – The next time you run out of line for your weed wacker, give zip ties a try. They may work just as well, if not better than traditional weed wacker line because of how sturdy they are. Make sure your weed wacker will accommodate the ties and not fly off and damage you or your property.
Keep Patio Furniture Cushions from Flying Away – Sometimes the tie straps on your patio furniture cushions aren’t strong enough, especially in a high wind. With zip ties, you’ll never again have to worry about a gust of wind sending your patio furniture cushions flying all around your yard.
No Longer Loose Storage Bin Lids – Instead of ever again having to worry about a storage bin that’s missing a lid, take some time to attach 2 zip ties to one of the handles of your storage bin and to the end of the lid. You’ll simply just need to use a hole punch to create your holes. Problem solved.
Attach More Gear Onto Your Hiking Backpack – Are you one of those hikers who can never seem to be able to cram all of their hiking gear into a single backpack? Well, you no longer need to worry about that. You can zip tie some of your gear directly to your straps or onto the back of your pack.
Seal Up Potting Soil and Sidewalk Salt Bags for the Season – Your bags of sidewalk salt and potting soil can lose their effectiveness for the following season if they are not properly sealed up. Keep moisture, bugs, and mold out of them by using zip ties.
Keep Floral Arrangements Together – You can keep your floral arrangements looking more full when you put them in a vase by loosely tying a zip tie around the stems.
Prevent Tangled-Up Christmas Lights – I’ve been guilty of this one a few times. Don’t be left with a frustrating tangled mess to unwind when it’s time to put up your Christmas lights year after year. A zip tie will keep them neatly stored away until you need them the following year.
Hold Flashcards Together – Do your kids have a big test to study for and need a way to keep all of their flashcards together? By using a single-hole punch and a zip tie, they won’t have to worry about losing any of them.
Fix Basketball and Soccer Goal Netting – Is your basketball or soccer goal netting on it’s last leg and you need a quick fix that hopefully will get you through the rest of the season? A zip tie can help you secure the netting in place until you’re willing to go out and get a replacement.
Handcuff an Intruder – If an intruder ever found their way inside your home you would need to do whatever it takes to get a handle on the situation. You could then use zip ties to act as handcuffs until the police arrive. I hope you never have to do this, but this is one of those great uses for zip ties.
Childproof Your Cabinets – Many of us no longer have children running around our houses, but when we do have little visitors, it’s a good idea to “childproof” some of our cabinets so that they don’t get into something that they shouldn’t. A zip tie can be tied around two pantry or cabinet handles to make sure they’ll stay safely shut, and you can then cut it as soon as they go home.
Hang other Tools – Besides your gardening tools, you can tie zip ties through the holes of your broom, dustpan, mop, and other house tools to keep them hanging up and out of your way.
Hang Bug Zappers – Keep mosquitos and other pesky bugs away by hanging bug zappers close to your porch or a nearby hook with a few zip ties. This is one of my favorite uses for zip ties.

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 18:19

Some of the tips were a bit spurious, but most of them are very useful and I think a good think to buy up the next time you are at the hardware and construction store, or online.

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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