Activated charcoal is one of the most important supplies to have on hand in a survival situation. It’s best kept in a first aid kit or some kind of bug-out pack. This is a versatile supply that could save a life in a variety of ways. It can be used as a medical resource, a filter for water, and even for communication! Let’s talk about some of the most important activated charcoal uses for survival.
Medical Properties
Probably the most indispensable of activated charcoal uses comes from its medicinal properties. It is highly absorbent and can be used topically and internally to draw out poisonings, infections and venomous bites of practically any sort. Its absorbent properties are attributed to its ultra-porous nature, which can be up to four times that of regular charcoal.
Taken internally, it is helpful in cases of food poisoning, such as eating poisonous berries or drinking contaminated water. It will absorb viruses, bacteria, fungal toxins, and heavy metals and eliminate them from the body. This can, in turn, help quell a stomachache and halt excessive diarrhea. Make sure to drink plenty of water along with taking it internally or it can actually contribute to constipation.
Used topically, it can be poulticed on any open and inflamed wound to suck up an infection. The same goes for bee stings, and spider and snake bites. Make a paste with the charcoal, either by mixing it with saliva or a small amount of water, and plaster it the wound. Change this about every hour until the infection subsides.
Water Filtration
Just as vital in a survival situation is activated charcoal’s ability to filter water. The simplest way of doing this is to suck the charcoal through a straw with a cloth over the opening. The charcoal will absorb most of the contaminants, making the water safer to drink. A better filter is to layer fine sand, peat moss, and charcoal in a tall plastic bottle or bucket and pour water through it to another receptacle covered by a t-shirt or other cloth to filter out particulates.
Trail Marker
Finally, the black smudging of this natural material makes a very nice marker for communicating messages. If on the move, leave a trail of charcoal on rock faces or other clean surfaces to easier find any potential whereabouts. In a dry spot, charcoal messages have been shown to last impeccably for tens of thousands of years.
Feautred Image from Adrien Olichon/Unsplash