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Improvised Tools and Equipment for Emergency Situations

Quick Summary​

When your equipment fails or gets lost, knowing how to create basic tools from natural materials can be the difference between comfort and misery. This guide covers making walking sticks, digging tools, cutting implements, cordage, and basic gear from what's available around you.

Why This Matters​

Your expensive gear won't always be available when you need it most:

  • Your hiking pole breaks three miles from the trailhead
  • Your knife gets lost during a river crossing
  • Your backpack tears beyond repair in thick brush
  • You need to dig a fire pit but only brought lightweight gear
  • Your rope isn't long enough for the shelter you need to build

The ability to improvise tools has gotten people through countless emergencies. These aren't permanent solutions, but they'll get you through until you can reach proper equipment or help.

The Basics​

Improved tools fall into several categories:

Support Tools: Walking sticks, staffs, and supports that help you move safely or work more effectively.

Cutting/Digging Tools: Sharp or pointed implements for processing materials, preparing food, or modifying your environment.

Binding Materials: Cordage and lashing to hold things together, from shelters to equipment repairs.

Containers and Carriers: Ways to transport water, food, and gear when your original containers fail.

The key principle: work with the materials available rather than against them. A green branch bends; a dead one breaks. Wet bark strips; dry bark cracks.

Walking Sticks and Support Staffs​

Selecting Your Wood​

Best choices:

  • Hardwoods like oak, hickory, or maple (strong but heavier)
  • Straight-grained softwoods like pine or fir (lighter, easier to work)
  • Green wood (fresh-cut) is stronger than dead wood
  • Avoid wood with visible rot, insect holes, or major knots

Sizing:

  • Walking stick: Reach from ground to your armpit
  • Work staff: Shoulder height or slightly taller
  • Digging stick: Forearm length plus hand width

Basic Staff Construction​

Step 1: Select and Cut Choose a straight branch 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter. Cut it to length, leaving extra for trimming.

Step 2: Remove Bark and Knots Peel the bark in long strips (save these for cordage). Sand down knots with rough stone or file with another piece of wood.

Step 3: Shape the Ends

  • Top end: Round and smooth for comfortable grip
  • Bottom end: Angle-cut for walking, or point for digging/probing

Step 4: Harden the Tip (Optional) For digging sticks, char the pointed end in a fire for 30 seconds, rotating constantly. This hardens the wood.

Improvised Cutting Tools​

Stone Knapping Basics​

Safety

Always wear eye protection when breaking stones. Work away from your body and others. Sharp stone flakes can cause serious cuts.

Finding Good Stone:

  • Flint, obsidian, or chert work best
  • Look for smooth, fine-grained rocks
  • Avoid rocks with visible cracks or layers
  • River rocks are often too rounded

Basic Technique:

  1. Hold the stone firmly against a solid surface
  2. Strike at a shallow angle (20-30 degrees) with another stone
  3. Aim for a glancing blow, not direct impact
  4. Work around the edge to create multiple sharp flakes

Safety wrapping: Wrap the dull edge with cloth, bark, or cordage to create a handle. This prevents cuts and gives you better control.

Bamboo and Wood Cutting Tools​

Bamboo knife:

  • Split a piece of bamboo lengthwise
  • The natural break creates a very sharp edge
  • Angle-cut one end to create a point
  • Wrap the handle end with cordage

Hardwood scraper:

  • Split hardwood along the grain
  • Sand or file one edge to 45-degree angle
  • Excellent for processing hides or removing bark

Natural Cordage and Lashing​

Plant-Based Cordage​

Inner bark (best option):

  • Cedar, basswood, willow work excellently
  • Remove outer bark, harvest inner fibrous layer
  • Soak in water for easier separation
  • Twist fibers together, adding new material as you go

Grass and plant stems:

  • Long grasses, cattail leaves, yucca fibers
  • Braid or twist when green for flexibility
  • Some plants like nettle have very strong fibers

Root cordage:

  • Spruce, willow, or birch roots
  • Dig up long, thin roots
  • Split and scrape clean
  • Very strong when properly prepared

Basic Rope-Making Technique​

Step 1: Prepare Fibers Separate your material into thin, uniform strands. Remove any brittle or broken pieces.

Step 2: Start the Twist

  • Take three strands of equal length
  • Twist each strand clockwise while braiding counterclockwise
  • This creates tension that holds the rope together

Step 3: Add New Material As strands get short, overlap new fibers and continue twisting. The overlap should be 2-3 inches (5-7 cm).

Step 4: Test Strength Your cordage should hold at least 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of tension before you trust it for important uses.

Lashing Techniques​

Square lashing (for right angles):

  1. Start with a clove hitch around one pole
  2. Wrap over and under both poles 4-5 times
  3. Wrap between the poles 2-3 times (frapping)
  4. Finish with another clove hitch

Diagonal lashing (for X-joints):

  1. Start with a timber hitch
  2. Wrap diagonally 4-5 times each direction
  3. Frap between the poles
  4. Finish with clove hitch

Improvised Pack Construction​

Frame Pack from Natural Materials​

Materials needed:

  • Two straight poles, 24-30 inches (60-75 cm)
  • Multiple cross-pieces, 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
  • Strong cordage or bark strips
  • Large piece of fabric, hide, or bark

Construction:

  1. Lash cross-pieces to form a rectangular frame
  2. Add diagonal braces for strength
  3. Attach fabric/hide as the pack bag
  4. Create shoulder straps from cordage or bark strips
  5. Add a waist belt if materials allow

Simple Stuff Sack​

From large leaves:

  • Use broad leaves like burdock or mullein
  • Fold and stitch edges with plant fibers
  • Not waterproof but good for organizing small items

From bark:

  • Birch bark is waterproof and flexible
  • Score and fold into box shape
  • Stitch seams with root fibers
  • Excellent for collecting water or storing food

Cooking and Eating Utensils​

Wooden Spoons and Bowls​

Spoon making:

  1. Find a piece of hardwood, 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long
  2. Carve the bowl end first, working slowly
  3. Use heated stones to help hollow the bowl
  4. Shape and smooth the handle
  5. Sand with progressively finer materials

Bowl construction:

  • Burl wood (tree growths) work excellently
  • Start with a depression, work outward
  • Burn and scrape method: char the center, scrape out charcoal, repeat
  • Takes time but creates durable cookware

Bark Containers​

Birch bark vessels:

  • Cut rectangular piece with straight edges
  • Score fold lines without cutting through
  • Fold into box shape, secure corners with wooden pins
  • Can hold water and even be used for boiling (briefly)

Large leaf containers:

  • Layer multiple large leaves
  • Secure edges with thorns or small sticks
  • Good for collecting berries or carrying water short distances

Modern Alternatives​

While these traditional techniques work, modern options can supplement your skills:

Multi-Tools and Knives​

Budget Option: Morakniv Companion - $15.95

  • High-carbon steel holds an edge well
  • Full tang for batoning wood
  • Good for: General camp tasks, basic woodworking

Best Value: Leatherman Wave Plus - $99.95 ⭐

  • 18 tools including pliers, knife, saw
  • Replaceable wire cutters
  • Good for: Repairs, multiple cutting tasks, precision work

Premium: Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 - $189.00

  • S30V steel, excellent edge retention
  • Full tang, comfortable grip
  • Good for: Serious woodcraft, professional use

Cordage Options​

Paracord 550 - $12.95 (100 feet)

  • 7 inner strands, 550 lb test strength
  • Can be separated for finer work

Amsteel Blue Dyneema - $45.00 (50 feet)

  • Stronger than steel cable by weight
  • Floats, doesn't stretch
  • Good for: Marine use, high-strength applications

Safety Considerations​

Sharp Tools
  • Always cut away from your body
  • Secure your work piece before cutting
  • Keep tools sharp - dull tools require more pressure and slip more easily
  • Wear eye protection when breaking stones or working with brittle materials
Natural Materials
  • Test plant materials for skin reactions before extensive handling
  • Some woods (like poison sumac) can cause severe reactions
  • Don't eat any plant parts unless you're 100% certain of identification
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling unknown plants

Common Mistakes​

Mistake: Using dead, rotted wood for tools Why it's wrong: Dead wood breaks under stress when you need it most Instead: Choose green or recently dead wood with no visible rot

Mistake: Making cordage too loose Why it's wrong: Loose cordage stretches and fails under load Instead: Keep consistent tension and test frequently while making it

Mistake: Rushing the sharpening process Why it's wrong: Poorly shaped tools are dangerous and ineffective Instead: Take time to create proper angles and smooth edges

Mistake: Not testing tools before depending on them Why it's wrong: Tools can fail when you're depending on them most Instead: Test every improvised tool with light loads first

When to Seek Help​

Making improvised tools is generally safe, but:

  • If you cut yourself seriously, apply pressure and seek medical attention
  • Don't attempt advanced metalworking without proper knowledge
  • Some plant materials can cause severe allergic reactions - discontinue use if you develop rashes or breathing problems
  • If improvised tools break during critical tasks, reassess whether you should continue or call for help
Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM-3-05.70

Last updated: January 18, 2026