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The Shemagh is a Bushcraft Tool

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Many pack a shemagh in their bag because some article or video told them they should. Have you ever actually wrapped your head up in one?

Many pack a shemagh in their bag because some article or video told them they should.

Have you ever pulled it out to use it for a survival application? There is a good chance the answer is no. Still, the shemagh is a survival tool that can be used for many things.

Water Filter

While it won’t do what a Sawyer does, the shemagh, by itself, can be used to filter large particulates out of the water. If you add things like charcoal, sand, grass and small stones it can be the container for a much more effective water filter.

Sun Block

During the summer and the winter, you need to protect your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. This can have several negative effects on your body. So to be sure that you are protected keep a shemagh and also know how to wrap your head, neck, and face if need be.

Many don’t know that this can also help with dehydration as the sun can sap water from your body and scorched skin is always going to dry you out.

Backpack

If you lose everything, your shemagh can be used as a very simple backpack to hold a minimal amount of things. It need only be folded up lengthwise with your items in the center. Then the long arms of the shemagh can be tied in front of your chest.

It’s not bugout bag but it can be of some use when you have no other options.

Weapon

While it takes some training, a shemagh can also be a weapon. While well-trained people know how to disarm people with a shemagh, it can also be used to incapacitate using simple strangulation. While the shemagh shouldn’t be your first option as a weapon, it can be very effective.

Many pack a shemagh in their bag because some article or video told them they should.