Keeping a stash of PVC on hand can be helpful in a multitude of situations. One such situation PVC can be helpful in is survival. To be properly ready for any survival situation you’ll need PVC piping to build out your survival tools. You can use PVC to create a number of projects including caches, shelters, shovels and buckets, and so much more.
PVC: Your Essential, Versatile Survival Tool
We may be a bit bias, but we think PVC is one of the greatest products ever invented. Since its discovery in 1872, PVC has been used to create a number of different products. It is this versatility that makes it an excellent survival tool.
Compared to other products you may attempt to use to create survival supplies, PVC is by far the most common and most inexpensive. These alone would make PVC the best choice for survival tools, but PVC shines bright in other ways as well. PVC can withstand temperatures up to 140°F and pressure of up to 160psi, it’s waterproof, and it’ UV resistant.
No matter the situation you find yourself in, PVC is up for the challenge.
PVC Uses for Survival
PVC’s versatility and durability make it an excellent option for survival tools. Below you’ll find some of our favorite ways to use PVC to help survive anything.
Survival Cache Made of PVC
Survival caches are containers full of survival supplies that are readily available yet hidden where only you can find them. In caches, you can stash anything from dental floss to fishing bait. The ability to hide supplies away in safe locations is a huge advantage in any survival situations. To figure out how to create your own survival cache head here.
DIY PVC Fishing Rod
In a survival situation, the ability to find your own food is immensely helpful. Fishing is just one of many ways to collect your own food, and creating a fishing rod from PVC is simple and easy.
You’ll need:
¾” PVC
½” PVC
(1) ¾” Slip Cap
(1) ¾” to ½” Reducing Coupling
(1) ½” Slip Cap
Drill and 3/32 drill bit
Ice fishing reel
Binder clips
Follow these steps for a PVC fishing rod:
Step 1: Cut your PVC (both ½” and ¾” pipes) into 10” length. (We recommended 10”, but you can adjust to any length you prefer.)
Step 2: Slide the ¾” slip cap onto the ¾” pipe, and the ½” slip cap on the end of the ½” pipe.
Step 3: Using your drill and 3/32 drill bit drill three holes through your ½” PVC pipe about 2” apart and starting 1” from the end with the slip cap.
Step 4: Remove the metal from the binder clips and twist until you have a loop on the end and then thread through the hole on both sides of the pipe.
Step 5: Disassemble your ice fishing reel and use the plastic bits to line up where to drill on the ¾” pipe. Once you’ve drilled your holes, assemble the reel onto the pipe.
Step 6: Use the reducing coupling to connect the two pipes together.
The best part of this fishing rod is that you can slide the slip caps off on both ends and use the interior of the pipe as storage for your bait and hooks.
Periscope Constructed Out of PVC Piping
A periscope may seem like a silly thing to keep on hand, but it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings. After all, you need to be able to see the zombies before they see you. To build your own periscope you’ll need:
2 feet of 2” PVC Pipe
(2) 2” 90° Elbows
(2) mirrors
You’ll want to cut your elbows just above and below the bend of the elbow, and then slide the mirror through the slits at a 45° angle. The mirror should be facing the interior of the pipe.
Once you inserted your mirrors, slide the elbows onto either end of the pipe facing away in opposite directions. Take a peek inside to ensure it works, and then use PVC adhesive to attach your mirrors to the pipe and then the elbows to the pipe.
PVC Water Bucket
Did you know that PVC is safe for drinking water? Because of this you can use it to create a water bucket. Use any larger size PVC pipe (we recommend 4” or bigger) and place an end cap on the end and you’ve got yourself a water jug. Drill a couple of holes on the open end and thread some rope through to make your bucket easier to transport.
Shovel Created with PVC
A shovel is a handy tool to have around and, luckily for you, easy to make with PVC. You’ll need 4” PVC pipe and an end cap. We recommended cutting the PVC to 2 feet in length, but you can customize that to your needs.
Using a saw, you’ll want to cut one end of the PVC at a sharp angle to create the blade of the shovel. You can leave the tip sharp, or cut it down to be a flat edge. We also recommended finding the point on the pipe that feels most comfortable for you to hold onto and then cutting out handholds there.
Transport Wood with PVC
In a survival situation the ability to have a fire is a huge advantage. Not only does it help you to stay warm, but it also provides a way to cook food. In order to have a fire you need firewood, and that’s not usually laying around in a convenient spot. Give your back a break with this easy-to-make and use wood transporter.
You’ll need:
2 feet of 1 ¼” PVC pipe
12 feet of rope
Cut your pipe into two 1-foot sections, and your rope into two 6-foot sections. Then on each of your pipes drill a hole 1” from the end on both sides. You’ll then insert the rope through the hole and tie a knot at the end (figure eight knot is a great option here!). Once you’ve got the rope tied to one pipe, you’ll connect it to the other pipe and tie it off.
Once you make sure everything is level, lay the carrier flat on the ground and stack some wood in the middle. Then take one end of the rope and lay it over the wood, threading the PVC through the rope on the other end. Pick it up by the end and feel it cinch to hold the wood tight. This is also a great option for storing wood off the ground.
DIY PVC Hydroponics
In the event of a doomsday, having a garden on hand will prove vital. Producing enough food to sustain yourself and others can be time- and space-consuming. With this PVC hydroponics garden, you’ll be able to grow your own food and conserve resources.
You’ll need:
4” PVC -- at least four 5’ sections, and at least three 2” sections
(8) 4” elbows (at least)
String
Cups
Rope
2 pallets
The idea behind hydroponics is to use the least amount of space and resources possible to grow plants. Think of this as a giant water slide as you build, connecting your 5’ sections with elbows and 2” sections to form a curve, and every 5’ length sloping gently down.
Using a drill, you’ll cut out holes for cups, which will have rope tied to the bottom. Once everything is planted, at the top of your system you’ll feed water into an open elbow and it will slowly run down, soaking all of the rope, which in turn feeds the soil of the plants, until any water left runs out. To converse even more water, have a bin waiting at the end to collect any runoff to be reused.
Using PVC to Prepare for the Worst
If we ever find ourselves in a survival situation, the ability to provide shelter and food for ourselves and our loved ones is vital. With the help of PVC, surviving can be made easier. Perhaps you start small and build some caches to find supplies in and work your way up to a hydroponic garden. Whichever stage of prepping you’re in, there’s a PVC project for you.