December 14

What’s a Shemagh and 10 Reasons Why You NEED to Own One

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There are some survival items that are so useful and versatile that every prepper MUST own one. Paracord is one of them… and a shemagh is another. Pronounced as ‘shmogh’, this item is similar to a bandana but it’s much larger. Roughly 42” x 42”, the shemagh originated in the Middle East out of sheer necessity.

The people needed a scarf to shield their faces from the constant winds which had fine sand particles in them. Most of their face and neck would be covered with this large scarf leaving only the eyes exposed so that they could see where they were going.

That’s why the shemagh is larger than a bandanna. Just like a bandanna, you can use the it for a variety of purposes. In this article, we’ll look at 10 ways you can use a shemagh.

  1. Towel

When you’re in the wilderness, a shemagh can act as a towel. It’s absorbent and big enough to dry you well. It’s important that you always hang your shemagh out to dry completely when you’re done.

  1. Strainer

If you need water and all you can find is murky water, the first thing you can do is use your shemagh as a strainer to sieve off the bigger impurities. Once the water passes through the shemagh, it’ll be filtered to some extent. You can then boil the water to destroy all viruses, protozoa and other contaminants. Finally, add a water purification tablet to the cool water and it should be potable.

  1. Tourniquet

This is one way the scarf can be used for first aid. If there’s a bad injury and you can’t stop the bleeding in the limb, you can fold the shemagh in half to make a triangle. Grab each end of it and spin it in circles so that it is like a rope. Tie this rolled-up scarf tightly around the limb to stop the blood flow.

  1. Knee pad

On stony ground and you need to kneel to read a map or start a fire? Fold up the shemagh till it is relatively thick and kneel on it for some cushioning.

  1. Collect dew

If you desperately need water and there’s none, the shemagh can be used to wipe the dew of leaves and grass. You’ll need to do this in the wee hours of the morning. If there’s tall grass around you, you can just wrap the shemagh around your knee and walk through the grass for a while till the scarf is wet and soaked.

Take it and wring it over a container. You’ll get several drops of water. If you keep doing this, you can get enough water for a sip or two to prevent your body from further dehydration.

  1. Feminine hygiene

Pretty straightforward. If you don’t have a sanitary pad with you in the wilderness, a shemagh will double as one. Do remember to wash it very well and if possible, soak it in boiling water to kill all bacteria after use.

  1. Pillow

No pillow? Roll up or fold the shemagh and use it as one.

  1. Eye mask

Trying to sleep in the day and it’s too bright? Use the shemagh as an eye mask.

  1. Splint tie/sling

Another first aid use. When treating a fracture, the shemagh can be used to tie around the fracture and a splint of wood to immobilize the limb and provide support. If it’s an arm fracture, the shemagh can be used like you would a triangular bandage to make a sling for the arm.

  1.  Foot wrap

If you lose a shoe or injure your foot, you can wrap the shemagh around your foot and manage to hobble around. Do try and get help soon. This is not a permanent solution. Overuse will cause the shemagh to tear due to friction. Things will get more difficult for you if this happens. So, get help quick.

These are just 10 uses of many. Get a shemagh and practice using it. The next time you’re out in the wilderness, if you need to use a shemagh, you’ll know how to use one effectively.


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