A water bottle in sand, which can be used for survival along with survival knife  Plastic bottles are somewhat of a bane to many people, but to a crafty survivalist, this bane can actually become a treasure in your oasis. Below we have taken a look at some survival uses for a plastic bottle, which may come in handy next time you are in the wilderness! Fire starter A clear water bottle with smooth shoulders can be filled with clear water and used to start an optical fire (similar to using a magnifying glass). You will need dark tinder and strong sunlight to do this, so it may not be practical for every situation. Water filter By cutting the large end of a water bottle off with your survival knife and packing the bottle with a fibrous material, you can allow the water to trickle through and out the mouth of the bottle. The water won’t be safe to drink after this method, but it will much clearer which can assist with other disinfection methods, or for use as a fire starter, for example. Flotation device Having a water bottle filled with air tucked inside your clothing can help keep you afloat if you get into difficultly in water. It may just help to keep your head above the surface long enough for you to get to safety. Emergency signal If you become lost, hanging up colourful bottles in a prominent place can attract people to your area, increasing your chances of being found. Fish trap If you cut the shoulder and neck off the bottle and invert it back into the empty bottle, you can make a trap for small fish. These could either act as food for you in a survival situation, or used for bait to attract larger fish. These are just a few uses that an old, discarded plastic bottle may offer you in a survival situation. It is also important to remember the 5 C’s of survival which may help you out in a critical situation. We also have a wide range of survival gear to help you build the perfect kit for your adventures, so why not take a look at the full range on our site?