A shemagh scarf, also known as a keffiyeh, is like a much larger bandana and, as a result, it has much farther-reaching utility. Here are 5 of the top survival uses of a shemagh scarf.
As a Water Pre-Filter
Fold up your shemagh scarf a few times, then lay it over the top of the vessel in which you intend to collect water.
Pour the water over it, and as it passes through the shemagh, the scarf will filter out most of the sediment.
Note that this will only mechanically remove larger sediment and that the water should still be treated against viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants.
The bonus is that if you do this in a hot climate, you can then wrap the shemagh around your head or neck to keep you cool as it dries out, through evaporative cooling.
On that note…
To Keep You Cool
Heat can be dangerous in extreme cases. If you have a shemagh with you in a dry climate and it is excessively hot, but you are near water, dip the shemagh in the water, squeeze out the excess, and wrap the scarf around your head and neck.
As the water evaporates, it will take heat with it, cooling you off.
As a Foraging Pouch
Foraging for mushrooms, berries or other food is great, so long as you have a way to store what you gather.
A shemagh can be folded up to make its size more manageable, making it perfect for gathering a bounty from the woods and fields.
As a Tourinquet
If you roll the shemagh so that it appears to be one long strip and then wrap it around an injured limb, you can use a moderately sized stick as a lever to exert pressure on the limb to stop bleeding.
Note that this should only be used in extreme survival scenarios to stop bleeding, as tourniquets will restrict blood flow to the limb and can incur tissue damage.
For Gathering Tinder and Kindling
Just as you can use a shemagh for gathering food, you can use it for gathering tinder and kindling, which should be kept dry as you gather.
Lay the shemagh out in one location as you gather, place your tinder at the center and pile kindling on top of it.
Once you’re done gathering, roll the shemagh up tightly and carry it back to camp. It will make it much easier to transport all that loose material and can even help keep it dry in a light rain or mist.
Don’t Have a Shemagh Scarf Yet?
There are many more survival uses of a shemagh scarf on top of those mentioned here, but you won’t be able to capitalize on any of them if you don’t own one.
If you’re here to get one, you can check out what they have in stock at Fatigues Army Navy. Peruse their catalog and if you have any questions about what they sell get in touch with them directly.
