Applications That Could Save Your Life When…
What if the one thing standing between you and disaster was sitting in your junk drawer right now?
Ever found yourself in a situation where something broke at the worst possible moment? Now imagine that happening when there are no stores open, no Amazon deliveries, and no help coming.
In such scenarios, having practical skills becomes invaluable. Developing woodworking abilities can empower you to create and repair essential items when resources are scarce. Ted’s Woodworking Plans offers a comprehensive collection of 16,000 plans, guiding you to build tools, furniture, and structures that can enhance your self-reliance during emergencies.
That tiny tube of superglue in your drawer might just save your life.
When the power grid fails or supply chains collapse, the ability to fix rather than replace becomes priceless. A single tube of superglue weighs less than an ounce but solves dozens of critical problems that could otherwise spiral into life-threatening situations.
Could you close a bleeding wound without medical help? Fix broken shelter during a storm? Repair crucial equipment with no replacement parts?
Superglue can do all that and more. But only if you know how.
Here are 11 field-tested ways superglue could make the difference between life and death when everything falls apart:
1. EMERGENCY WOUND CLOSURE
During disasters or grid-down scenarios, medical facilities quickly become overwhelmed or inaccessible. When conventional medical care is unavailable, superglue can provide temporary wound management capabilities.
Field Application Protocol:
- Clean the wound thoroughly with purified water and antiseptic if available
- Ensure bleeding has stopped completely
- Carefully align wound edges by pinching closed
- Apply a minimal amount of adhesive across the wound surface
- Hold edges together until the adhesive sets (approximately 30 seconds)
- Apply a second thin layer over the surface for reinforcement
Critical Safety Parameters:
- Use ONLY for shallow, clean lacerations with straight edges
- NEVER apply to puncture wounds, animal bites, or potentially infected injuries
- Avoid use on facial injuries or near mucous membranes
- Consider this a temporary solution until proper medical care becomes available
- Medical-grade tissue adhesives (Dermabond, Surgi-Lock) are significantly safer alternatives when available
2. SHELTER INTEGRITY MAINTENANCE
Environmental exposure represents one of the most immediate threats during any emergency scenario. Even minor damage to shelter systems can lead to hypothermia, equipment degradation, and compromised security.
Field-Tested Applications:
- Repair tears in tent fabrics, tarps, or emergency shelter materials
- Seal leaking seams in rain gear or weather protection systems
- Reinforce failure points in structural components
- Fix broken tent poles, grommets, or attachment points
- Create waterproof seals around penetrations in shelter walls
For optimal results in tent repair, apply adhesive to both surfaces, allow to become tacky, then press firmly together and hold for 60 seconds.
In addition to quick repairs, constructing durable shelters is a crucial survival skill. With detailed guidance from Ted’s Woodworking Plans, you can learn to build robust structures designed to withstand harsh conditions, ensuring safety and comfort in unpredictable environments.
3. CRITICAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR
When systems fail during infrastructure disruptions, the ability to repair rather than replace becomes invaluable. Throughout numerous extended grid-down situations, I’ve utilized superglue to restore functionality to essential equipment.
High-Value Repair Applications:
- Reattach knife or tool handles
- Secure loose components in flashlights or communication devices
- Repair cracked plastic on essential equipment
- Stabilize loose solar panel connections
- Fix broken eyeglasses or protective eyewear
- Repair critical components in water filtration systems
The key to successful field repairs is thoroughly cleaning and roughening both surfaces before application to maximize adhesion strength.
4. WATER CONTAINER INTEGRITY
Hydration management represents the highest priority in any survival scenario. During extended emergencies, water containers face repeated stress that can compromise their integrity. Superglue provides rapid repair capability to maintain your water transportation and storage systems.
Hydration System Applications:
- Seal pinhole leaks in water bottles or hydration bladders
- Repair cracks in water container lids
- Reinforce weak points in water storage vessels
- Fix leaking seams in collapsible water containers
- Repair damaged threading on bottle caps
For slow leaks or pinholes, apply a small amount to the exterior surface and allow to fully cure before testing with water.
5. MOBILITY MAINTENANCE
Your ability to relocate during emergencies often depends entirely on functional footwear. When transportation infrastructure fails, walking becomes your primary movement method, making boot and shoe repair an essential survival skill.
Footwear Preservation Techniques:
- Reattach separating boot soles
- Repair splitting seams in footwear
- Secure loose heel components
- Reinforce high-wear areas before failure occurs
- Fix torn eyelets or lacing systems
For maximum effectiveness on footwear, clean both surfaces thoroughly with alcohol (if available), apply adhesive liberally, and press firmly together for 2-3 minutes before applying pressure with a wrap or clamp for several hours.
6. CORDAGE INTEGRITY
Rope, paracord, and other tensile resources serve countless functions in emergency scenarios. Preventing degradation of these assets preserves their utility throughout extended situations.
Cordage Preservation Methods:
- Seal cut ends to prevent unraveling
- Reinforce high-wear sections
- Create aglets (end caps) for bootlaces and utility cordage
- Strengthen load-bearing connection points
- Repair fraying in critical rope systems
Apply a small drop to rope ends and quickly spread with your finger (protected by a thin plastic bag) before it sets.
7. TOOL MODIFICATION AND CREATION
During extended grid-down scenarios, the ability to adapt and create tools becomes increasingly valuable. Superglue provides the bonding capability to develop field-expedient tools from available materials.
Tool Creation Applications:
- Attach stone or metal cutting edges to handles
- Secure improvised arrow or spear points
- Create handles for metal tools from available materials
- Manufacture fishing hooks from found materials
- Develop improvised medical tools when conventional options are unavailable
When fabricating tools, create texture on smooth surfaces with crosshatching before applying adhesive to increase bond strength.
8. BACKPACK AND LOAD-CARRYING EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Your ability to transport essential supplies depends entirely on functional carrying equipment. When infrastructure failure necessitates relocation, maintaining pack integrity becomes critical.
Field-Tested Pack Repair Methods:
- Reattach separated shoulder straps
- Repair torn fabric at stress points
- Secure failing zipper stops
- Fix broken buckles or attachment points
- Reinforce seams before complete failure
For maximum strength in load-bearing repairs, apply adhesive, allow to become tacky, press firmly together, and then reinforce with additional layers of adhesive or binding material.
9. COMPOSITE REPAIR MATERIAL
When combined with other materials, superglue creates versatile repair compounds for a wide range of emergency applications. These combinations significantly expand your repair capabilities during resource-limited scenarios.
Advanced Application: Superglue + Baking Soda Composite
- Apply superglue to the damaged area
- Immediately sprinkle baking soda over the wet adhesive
- The chemical reaction creates a hard, sandable composite material
- Build up layers as needed to fill gaps or create structural components
- Once cured, the material can be sanded, drilled, or shaped as needed
This technique produces a waterproof filler ideal for repairing larger holes in containers, equipment housings, or structural components.
10. HUNTING AND FOOD ACQUISITION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Self-reliance during extended emergencies often requires food acquisition through hunting or fishing. Maintaining these systems ensures continued caloric intake when commercial food sources become unavailable.
Hunting/Fishing Equipment Applications:
- Repair arrow fletching
- Secure fishing rod components
- Fix loose hunting knife handles
- Repair fishing reel components
- Maintain trap mechanisms
- Secure loose components in food preparation tools
For flexible components like arrow fletching, apply adhesive sparingly, position precisely, and hold firmly until completely set.
11. SPLINTER AND FOREIGN OBJECT EXTRACTION
Minor injuries can escalate into serious infections during extended emergencies when antibiotics are unavailable. The ability to safely remove embedded objects helps prevent potential complications.
Beyond immediate medical applications, enhancing your skill set with woodworking knowledge can significantly improve your preparedness. Ted’s Woodworking Plans provides extensive resources to help you craft essential items, from storage solutions to emergency tools, bolstering your readiness for any situation.
Extraction Technique for Embedded Objects:
- Clean the affected area thoroughly
- Apply a thin layer of superglue directly over the embedded object
- Allow to dry completely (approximately 5 minutes)
- Carefully peel away the dried adhesive
- The embedded object should come out attached to the adhesive layer
- Clean and treat the area with appropriate antiseptic
This technique works particularly well for shallow splinters, cactus spines, and other difficult-to-grasp foreign objects.
OPTIMAL SELECTION AND STORAGE GUIDELINES
After extensive field testing across various emergency scenarios, I recommend the following specifications and storage protocols for maximum effectiveness:
Selection Parameters:
- Choose gel formulations for vertical applications and better gap-filling
- Standard liquid formulations work best for high-strength requirements
- Select multiple small tubes rather than single large containers
- Unopened tubes maintain effectiveness for approximately 24 months
- Look for products with integrated applicator tips for precision use
Storage Guidelines for Extended Shelf Life:
- Store in airtight containers to prevent premature curing
- Keep in temperature-controlled environments when possible
- Refrigeration extends shelf life but requires warming before use
- Store tubes upright to prevent clogging of applicator tips
- Include in rotation schedule with 18-month replacement cycle
FINAL THOUGHTS
Throughout two decades of emergency response and wilderness survival scenarios, I’ve consistently found superglue to be among the most versatile and valuable components in any preparedness system. Its ability to provide critical repairs across numerous applications makes it an essential element in resilience planning for infrastructure disruptions, natural disasters, and economic uncertainty.
The key to effective deployment lies in understanding its limitations, proper application techniques, and maintaining adequate supply across your various emergency kits. With proper storage and regular rotation, this remarkable resource stands ready to provide critical solutions when conventional repair options become unavailable.
