Thursday 19/03/15
Remember when you were little and your mum told you to always carry a hankie? Well, like most motherly advice, she was right. After your first few years of school, you probably stopped carrying a hankie, because that was for old people and dorks.
I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of carrying the contents on my nose in my pocket. Tissues are for blowing your nose, not your handkerchief. I learned the real purpose for carrying a hankie in my early teens when I joined the local volunteer bushfire brigade. In my experience handkerchiefs are too small, but bandanas are perfect.
A bandana has two main purposes. First; it makes an excellent pad if you have been injured and need to apply pressure to an open wound. Sure, it's not a sterile pad, but in an emergency, you'll be grateful you have it (or anything else that comes to hand). After a particularly nasty accident I used a handtowel to stem the flow of blood from an injury. If you don't have the luxury of remaining where you are after being injured, you can tie the bandana in place with one of your socks. This will allow you to maintain pressure on your wound and keep the bandana in place.
The second purpose is that it makes a great smoke filter if you are unfortunate enough to be stuck in a fire. Once you soak your bandana in water, it effectively filters out particles from the air you're breathing. If you need two hands free, you can fold your bandana in half, making a large triangle, wrap the bandana around your face, then tie the two ends behind your head (just like the bad guys in the Old West movies). Once you've been in a few bushfires, you'll never leave home without a bandana again.
Other purposes for your bandana:
- A sunshade for your neck. If you're wearing a cap, tuck the bandana in at the back and drape it over your neck.
- Carry bag. If you are fortunate enough to find a blackberry bush (or some other food source), you can hold the bandana by the corners, making a makeshift sling to hold the food you collect.
- Sweat rag.
- Cordage.
- Pot holder.
There are a myriad of other purposes for bandanas, but these two are probably the most important.