How to Put Together a Pill Bottle Survival Kit
Let’s be honest! An emergency situation isn’t always going to wait around until you’re able to get home or to your vehicle where you keep all of your emergency supplies. Because on occasion, there may be instances where you’re taking the city bus somewhere, cheering on your favorite sports team in another city, or vacationing hundreds of miles away. But that doesn’t have to mean that you’re entirely out of luck. Let’s talk about how to put together a pill bottle survival kit.
Pill Bottle Survival Kit
You’ve probably never thought much about it, but it would amaze you what all you’re able to fit inside the tube of a pill bottle. This is really good news, especially if you’re a prepper like myself because you’re going to need to cram as many survival essentials as possible in it. That way you can always have a survival kit wherever you go. Are you wondering about what items that I’ve come up with? Here’s how to put together a pill bottle survival kit that would actually work when you’re in desperate need. You can even buy empty pill bottles in bulk.
Bandages
Be sure to have at least 3 to 4 bandaids tucked inside that can help treat minor cuts.
Alcohol Wipes
Needless to say, these will help to clean and disinfect any potential wounds that you may experience along the way.
Duct tape (3 ft worth)
As you already know, duct tape is extremely versatile. In fact, it’s arguably the most versatile prepping item on this list. It can be used to patch something up, assist you in creating a makeshift tent, or make a sturdy rope. You’ll want to gather about 3 feet worth of it, and if you want to save on space for other important content, you have the option of wrapping it around the pill bottle itself. Duct Tape: Why You Need to Store It
Razor Blade
A razor blade can be handy to have during a number of survival situations, including cutting fishing lines, assisting you in starting a fire, and several others. Just remember that a razor blade is going to get you into a lot of trouble at airport security, so if you plan on flying, it’s best to remove this emergency essential from your kit until you return home.
Gerber Dime Travel Multitool
This Gerber Dime travel multitool is TSA-friendly and comes with every tool you could possibly need for survival. (Besides a blade, that is.) It also comes with a bottle opener, scissors, wire cutters, and zipper hook, along with small and medium flat drivers. Invaluable Tools Necessary for Transporting Emergency Supplies
3 Matches and Striking Pad
You’re going to need to be able to make a fire, whether it’s for warmth or for your cooking purposes. Just be sure that you get storm and wind-resistant matches so that if they get wet or it’s windy out, you won’t waste your valuable matches. Don’t forget the striking pad!
Fire Starter
Firestarter is another essential that you’ll be needing to get a fire started. It’s up to you whether you use dryer lint and stuff it down into the bottom of the pill bottle or use two or three small pieces of straw that have been stuffed with dryer lint for the same effect. 15 Different Ways to Make Fire Starters
Tinfoil
Tinfoil is an excellent reflector as long as it’s a sunny day. With that said, it can be used to signal others where you’re at if you’re needing to be rescued. Aluminum foil can also help start fires and even cook food. 20 Reasons Why We Need Aluminum Foil Every Day
Fishing Hook
Fishing may be the only option that you have for a while as far as finding your next meal, so you better get used to the idea. So, you’ll definitely be needing a fishing hook if you hope to snag a fish or two. Beginners Guide to Fishing: 6 Amazing Tips and Tricks
Fishing Line
Besides a fishing hook, you’ll need a bit of fishing line to go with it. And it doesn’t have to be a huge spool of line. Just enough that’s wrapped and tied around a cut piece of straw will do the trick. 10 to 15 feet of line should be plenty. Take Your Kids Fishing: 11 Amazing Reasons Why
1 Weight
I’d also recommend that you stow away at least one fishing weight to help your line sink beneath the water.
2 Safety Pins
It may sound silly, but safety pins are actually very useful in all sorts of survival situations. They can assist you when you’re building a tent, securing bandages while performing first-aid, or even be used when fishing. Dollar Store Prepper Items
2 Pain Killers
Whether it’s due to a headache or an injury, never be caught anywhere without something to relieve your pain. You’re going to want one or two painkiller pills in your kit, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. And if you can fit it, I’d also suggest that you include one pill of anti-diarrheal medication and one pill of antihistamine to help with allergies. Household Uses for Aspirin
Whistle Made from a Straw
Another way to alert others of your presence is by using a whistle, but a regular one takes up far more space than you can afford to give up with a pill bottle. Have you ever tried making a whistle from a straw? It’s actually very simple!
More Survival Tips
- 6 Ways to Use Hot Rocks in a Survival Situation
- Foraging Wild Nuts for Survival Purposes
- Fitness for Survival
Final Word
Putting together a survival kit so small that it can fit in a pill bottle may seem insignificant when you’re faced with an insurmountable emergency situation, but these aren’t just any ordinary items. Although small and rather easy to get your hands on, don’t underestimate how having these items on you could one day save your life. Are there any other small items that would be useful in an emergency situation that could also fit inside a pill bottle? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! May God Bless this world, Linda
You must get creative when using small kits and think outside the box. For instance the pill bottle fishing kit. It can be used to sew as well.
Post SHTF and post ROL ONLY: For perimeter defense you can hang them at eye level. You can use it for ground critters too. A trotline setup a knee high can catch turkeys. Hanging a piece of fruit for a squirrel or bird. Though you must be ready to pounce and finish. (These are currently illegal so don’t do them till it falls apart or your death is imminent without doing so)
But the main point is think outside the box
Hi Matt, oh, there are so many ways those little containers can be used. Thanks for your tips! I have a sewing kit bottle in my car as well. You are so right about thinking outside the box. Linda
Hi Linda! As usual a great post!
We have a lot of empty pill bottles. I save them for a lot of things. I have quarters in some. Car wash or laundry money. I love reusing or repurposing items. I just had a thought on using pill bottles. Don’t know if it’d work, but if fishing, a bobber on a pole. If the pill bottle is water tight, is should bobble if a fish gets on the hook. Note: I’m not a fisherman, but my grandmother was!
HI Deborah, oh my gosh, quarters!! I just had a friend tell me she was going to shop at an Aldi grocery store but didn’t have aquarter for the shopping cart! I hardly ever have loose change, but I will now, I will put quarters into a pill bottle! Love it! Linda
You are more than welcome! We need to share with each other. That is how we learn. I take a first aid kit, a sewing kit, and anything else I can think of when we travel. They all go into empty clean medicine bottles. We both get large ones. 90 days of big capsules. Love those best.
HI Deborah, oh yeah, I love that idea! I have a suitcase packed and ready to go at all times. LOL! It’s ready when or if we ever go on vacation!! I will make some of those and add them to my suitcase! Love it, Linda
Wonderful ideas… And I do have a few of the big pill bottles from some of hubby’s recent meds, I’ll save them!
Remember when band-aids came in a neat little metal box? Those made the absolutely *best* survival kits. The only thing they were not, is waterproof. Used to have one in my purse all through high school. (Actually, I do still have a few of those band-aid boxes.) The little metal boxes from mints are good as well.
Hi Rhonda, Oh I love those metal boxes! I can still buy some at fabric and quilting stores! But FREE with the Band-Adis is awesome! Linda
Hi Linda,
Some of us fair skinned Scandinavians seriously need sun block! Maybe a smallish pill bottle filled with sunscreen or sun block will help especially if you need to walk in July somewhere. Or sitting at the waters edge waiting for the darn fish to bite! 🙂
HI Hazel, oh I love that idea! Sunscreen to protect our fair skin!! Love it! Linda
This is so smart. Especially, for me as a mom of many children. 🙂 Simple, safe, and quick!
Hi Jess, they fit easily into the glove box or your purse or bag pack. Linda
I like to use Vicks Vapoinhaler tubes . After they are used up saw the inner tube off on the line below the air holes. Good for a fishing kit or fill it with magnesium shavings for a fire kit.
Hi John, oh my gosh, I have some of those, I LOVE it!!! Thank you, Linda
Linda, I never thought to use a pill bottle as a survival kit, but I have used metal band aid boxes for that purpose.
All my pill bottles are full of seeds I’ve saved. Just wash them out first to get rid of any medical residue.
Hi Ray, well, they work great for seeds as well!! I love this idea! Linda
Linda, in a larger bottle, roll-up $20 (a $10, a $5, & 5-$1’s), with a sheet or two of Rite-in-the-rain paper and a stubby pencil. A little cash never hurts, as well as note taking/leaving.
Hi Daniel, oh my gosh, I LOVE this idea, cash is king!! Plus the paper and the pencil!! Linda