Prep like a pro

MacGyver would be proud: 10 survival tools you can build yourself

Credit: Maciej Karoń

People have survived in the wilderness for millennia, long before modern survival gadgets were mass-produced for convenience. And when it comes to building your own survival kit, there’s no need to head to the store! With some basic supplies lying around, you can create everything from a reliable alcohol stove to a life-saving rope. Stick with us to discover 10 survival tools you can craft yourself!

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Did you know you can turn a simple tin can into a portable stove? Adventurers have known this for decades: it’s extremely easy to create a very reliable alcohol stove just by cutting a series of holes near the top of an empty can. If alcohol isn’t your fuel of choice, simply cut an additional hole near the bottom for ventilation, and voilà—you have an efficient mini wood stove for twigs and tinder.

Any type of tin can will work, but soda cans are particularly easy to cut, making them a great option if you’re in a hurry (though they do require a more careful design to ensure sturdiness). Despite their delicate appearance, these stoves can last through years of heavy use. And the best part? If it ever breaks or stops working, you can make a new one in under a minute

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You’ve got the stove—great. But how are you going to get a fire going in the first place? You’re not truly prepared for survival until you have a reliable way to light a fire. That’s where a fire-starting kit comes in handy. Fortunately, making one is easy, and you don’t need anything out of the ordinary.

By combining cotton balls with petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and storing the treated cotton in a waterproof container—such as a small metal canister—you create a highly flammable fire starter. It burns much longer than dry tinder and can help you get a fire going even in tough weather conditions. Don’t have petroleum jelly? You can use wax the same way—just melt it first!

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You’re not going to get far without access to clean water—that’s for sure. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! With just a clear plastic bottle and sunlight, you can make a simple (and hopefully not too dirty) solar water purifier. Fill the bottle with clear water and leave it in direct sunlight for at least six hours to eliminate most harmful pathogens.

This method, known as the SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) technique, uses UV radiation and heat to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It’s recommended by the World Health Organization for regions without access to safe drinking water. If clear water isn’t available—or if you're working with salt water—you can combine two or more bottles to create a solar-powered distiller. It’s a great trick for surviving, even if you’re stranded at sea!

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Don’t have rope—but somehow have a ton of duct tape? You’re in luck, because humanity’s most versatile adhesive can save the day. By tightly twisting strips of duct tape together, you can create a surprisingly durable rope capable of supporting a significant amount of weight.

And while we’re probably preaching to the choir here, it’s worth repeating: always carry a roll of this miracle tape. It has countless uses, from sealing packages to repairing tent seams, or even fixing torn clothes.

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Compasses often seem more complicated than they really are. If you ever need one, you can quickly make your own using just a magnet and a needle. Start by rubbing the needle against the magnet to magnetize it. Then float the needle on a small piece of cork (or even leaf or paper) in a bowl of water.

The needle will align with Earth’s magnetic field, pointing north. While it won’t be as precise or durable as a professional compass, it’s a handy tool for navigating unfamiliar terrain!

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Ever wonder why so many outdoor enthusiasts swear by paracord? It’s because it’s incredibly versatile and remarkably durable. Paracord is lightweight yet impressively strong, often rated to hold up to 550 pounds. Plus, it can easily be transformed into a multipurpose survival tool.

By weaving paracord into a belt or bracelet (it also makes a cool watch strap), you’ll always have high-quality rope on hand. In emergencies, it can be quickly unraveled and used for building shelters, making fishing lines, or securing gear.

Credit: Kelly Sikkema

A signal mirror is an often overlooked but vital part of a wilderness survival kit. These mirrors can reflect sunlight over long distances, helping you attract attention from rescuers or other hikers, potentially saving lives in an emergency.

You can skip the DIY route if you have an old pocket mirror lying around. But if you’re feeling resourceful, take a small, smooth piece of metal or shiny plastic, clean it, and polish it until it’s as reflective as possible. For extra utility, if the material is malleable, you can even reshape it into a basic parabolic mirror to help start a fire!

Credit: Firas Wardhana

Another way to attract rescuers—or anyone nearby—in an emergency is by making noise. But over long distances, yelling often isn’t enough. That’s where an emergency whistle comes in handy. If you forgot to pack one, you can easily make your own using an empty plastic pen.

Start by removing the front section of the pen, including the tapered plastic tip and the ink cartridge, leaving only the main barrel and back cap. Then, use a knife to cut a small angled notch near the back of the pen, trimming off part of the end cap. That’s it! Blow through the open end to produce a loud, attention-grabbing sound.

Credit: Thomas Park

You get the idea: fill a small tin can with hooks, fishing line, and sinkers. It’s one of the easiest survival tools to assemble, especially if you already have basic fishing gear. If there’s still room in the container, consider adding bait alternatives like artificial lures or even small strips of aluminum foil to complete your portable fishing kit.

This compact setup is perfect for any survival situation near a water source. Or maybe you just enjoy fishing on the go. Either way, it’s always a smart idea to keep one in your backpack.

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Who hasn’t escaped an unexpected downpour cloaked in one of these? The classic trash bag poncho is a portable shelter for those who either forgot their rain gear or just prefer not to carry extra weight.

It might not look very stylish, but who’s to say it wouldn’t turn a few heads during Fashion Week? Most importantly, plastic is super effective at repelling water, and its lightweight nature makes it perfect for a survival kit. It can also double as a ground cover or a small tarp in a pinch.

Flashy Latin names

Animals with celebrity status: 12 creatures named after famous people

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Between 15,000 and 18,000 new species of plants and animals are discovered every year, and, as it happens, they all need a name. Most of those names are just descriptive, but every now and then, an inspired scientist decides to honor a famous individual by naming the newly discovered species after him or her. The reference is usually hidden within a Latin name, but it is there, as these 12 examples show.

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King Charles led many environmental causes during his life. And, when scientists discovered a stream tree frog in Ecuador’s rainforests, they named it Hyloscirtus princecharlesi, honoring his rainforest conservation efforts.

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The "Hips Don’t Lie" singer was honored by scientists who discovered a wasp in the Ecuadorian mountains and named it Aleiodes shakirae. This parasitic wasp laid its eggs inside caterpillars that twisted in a way that reminded them of the famous dance moves of the singer.

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A horsefly with a distinctive shiny body with a patch of golden hairs was named after the female pop star. The fly, named Plinthina beyonceae, reminded the researchers of her song ‘Bootylicious’, and because they thought it was the "all-time diva of flies".

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Marking the 40th anniversary of the band’s founding, a researcher named not one but four species of damselflies after the members of Queen. The names? Heteragrion freddiemercuryi, H. brianmayi, H. rogertaylori, and H. johndeaconi.

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It seems as if naming creatures after musical artists is a thing among researchers. The Sericomyrmex radioheadi ant was named after the British musical group, in appreciation of the band’s environmental activism, especially in raising climate-change awareness.

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Not just a single species, but a whole taxonomic group was named after Pink Floyd. We are talking about the Pinkfloydia genus of orb-weaver spiders.

According to the scientists who came up with the name, they wanted to reflect the uniqueness of the spiders, which have very distinctive physical features.

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No one should be surprised, at this point, that a shark was named after the Jaws author. The ninja lanternshark, Etmopterus benchleyi, was named so after Peter Benchley, the famous author.

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The name Taylor Swift is guaranteed to make headlines every time it appears. Even if it is the name of a millipede.

In 2022, a new millipede species, Nannaria swiftae, was named after the singer-songwriter by Dr Derek Hennen, a self-confessed fan of her music.

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The last creature on this list to be named after a musical artist, the Baicalellia daftpunka, honors the French duo Daft Punk.

This flatworm is said to resemble the iconic look of the duo’s helmets, which they used to conceal their identities when playing live.

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It should come as no surprise that a famous environmental activist like Greta Thunberg, who has been active for a couple of years now, has had a few animal species named after her.

Among these, a whole genus of huntsman spiders, Thunberga, has been named after her.

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Some of the celebrities who have been bestowed with this honor are the very same individuals who discovered the species. Such is the case of Steve Irwin and the Elseya irwini turtle, which was found by the late zookeeper, conservationist, and TV personality.

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The last entry on our list is a curious case. The Idris elba parasitic wasp was not named after the actor, even though it shares the same denomination.

It is fair to say that the famous actor’s name does sound exotic, and it would not at all be hard to believe of a species named after him, especially after all the examples we have just read about.