Homeless people are the ultimate survivors, and understanding how they live on the streets can teach people a thing or two about staying alive even in the worst conditions. When disaster strikes, you could very well end up homeless yourself. When that happens, keep in mind the following survival habits that help keep homeless people alive, according to AskaPrepper.com:
- Stock up on newspapers – Old newspapers are easy to find, and they can be used in many ways. They are particularly useful for keeping warm: You can stuff them inside your clothes or use it as kindling to build a fire. You can also use newspaper sheets as blankets, or use a crumpled one as a pillow. If you’ve built a shelter, you can use newspapers to insulate the insides as well.
- Wear layers – There is wisdom in the way homeless people wear all their clothes at once. Aside from having less items to carry with your hands, dressing in layers can keep you protected whatever the weather. Wearing extra layers keeps you warm in the cold, and layers can be easily removed when the temperature gets warmer. The extra clothing is also a fabric supply that you can use when the need arises — for instance, as a bandage, a napkin, or a rope.
- Use a space blanket or hot water bottle to stay warm when you sleep – Keeping a fire alive while you sleep may not always be ideal, so finding other way to stay warm can be helpful. If you can boil water, use it to fill an empty bottle to place under your blanket. Better yet, use a cheap Mylar blanket. This can keep you warm by reflecting your body heat back to you. Aside from that, Mylar blankets have many other uses — for instance, according to UrbanSurvivalSite.com, it can be used as a solar oven, a rain shelter, or even as a signal booster for a radio or phone.
- Use a coffee can for fire – An old coffee can (or any discarded can for that matter) can double as a stove or a portable fire — simply fill it with petroleum jelly and light it up.
