27 Useful Camping and Survival Hacks

Any working cell phone, regardless if it is in service or not, will call 911.

Exhale when your left foot hits the ground to avoid cramps while running.

If you're outside in the woods and cut yourself, spiderwebs can not only seal the wound but also make it heal much faster.

The Calvin Klein "Obsession" scent should never be used when going into the woods. It attracts cheetahs, tigers and jaguars.

If you are in for a long drive at night, listen to comedians while driving. It's impossible to fall asleep while laughing.

If there is ever a Zombie apocalypse go to Costco. Large cement walls, an endless supply of food, and you have to have a costco card to get in.

Falling air pressure causes pain in bird's ears, so if birds are flying low to the ground it almost always means a thunderstorm is coming.

If you ever suspect someone is following your car, take four right turns. It forms a circle, and if they're still behind they're following.

If you ever get trapped underwater in your car, use your carseat headrest to break the window.

If you get buried under snow by an avalanche, spit and saliva will follow gravity. Dig the opposite way.

If you're about to get hit by a car (and can't jump sideways), jump UP! It'll give you a better chance of rolling over the car.

If you get pulled over at night turn on your interior light. It helps ease the officer by showing you have nothing to hide.

To escape from a crocodile's jaws, push your thumbs in it's eyeballs, it will let you go instantly.

When you call 911, the FIRST thing you should give them is your location. They immediately send police when they have an address.

If you need to get a fire started ASAP, but don’t have paper or lighter fluid, use Doritos (any corn chip will work well). These chips are flammable and will ignite quickly. They are a perfect makeshift tinder to get a small quick flame. 

Here’s a survival hack for when there is no electric heat, and you need to warm up a small room. By placing a few candles beneath an upside down terracotta pot  you can create a mini-heater that will pump out a surprising amount of heat. Terracotta conducts heat very well and radiates the warmth that it collects.

Always keep an extra $20 bill on the inside of your phone case. Then, if you’re caught without cash, you have it on hand.

A coloring crayon can be used as a candle for a short time in an emergency.

If you know you’ll need something to jump-start a fire, soak cotton balls or pads in petroleum jelly or paraffin wax. Throw one on the fire before you light it.

Can’t live without your spices? Use Tic Tac containers to bring them camping.

Keep an Altoids tin with corrugated cardboard in your pocket on a long hike. It works as a tiny heat source in a pinch.

If you get a flat tire and don’t have a spare, fill it with grass to make it to your destination.

If you’re in the woods at night, make sure everyone in your party has a glow stick to use as a signal in case someone gets separated.

You can fashion a makeshift magnifier with your glasses and use the sun to start afire.

If you’re worried about getting frostbite, put baby oil on the skin exposed to the elements.

Before heading out on a hike, make sure you have a piece of chalk in your pocket. Mark trees you pass to keep track of where you’ve traveled. It will stop you from walking around in circles.

Here’s an easy way to make a super-bright lantern: cut open a beer or soda can, and set a votive candle inside. The tin will reflect the light.