Alcohol has earned its place near the top of any survival preparedness list. Both “gotta be 21 to buy” alcohol and rubbing alcohol have a multitude of uses that could help you survive an apocalypse. Nearly any version of booze will become a high-priced barter item during a long-term disaster, but pure grain alcohol, such as Everclear, has an especially high level of alcohol content and therefore boasts more survival benefits.
Everclear can be purchased in both 95 percent alcohol and 75.5 percent alcohol content varieties. Although it could land you behind bars right now, after a SHTF scenario occurs, the legalities involving moonshine will likely be far less of a concern. The Appalachian favorite , moonshine, is the king of all grain alcohols. Making the legal purchase of a copper still, or learning how to make such a moonshine device, could prove to be an excellent barter and survival tool later.
Everclear is not currently legal to sell in all states. You can purchase a bottle of the grain alcohol in Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia. If Everclear is unavailable in your state, substitute other high-alcohol-content vodka brands in your preps. Should you decide to purchase a gin or whiskey, make sure the alcohol content is at least 70 proof to ensure that the booze will burn.
The grain alcohol content in booze is defined by taking twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. If the label says the bottle contains a liquid that is 100-proof, it contains booze that equals 50 percent alcohol by volume.
How To Make Moonshine Video
Alcohol Facts and Definitions
Grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol is drinkable alcohol, rubbing and Isopropyl alcohol are not. The C2H6O chemical compound in grain alcohol is produced during the fermentation process. Ethanol alcohol is most commonly known as rubbing alcohol.
Both Isopropyl alcohol (C3H8O) and rubbing alcohol are produced during a fermentation process as well, but ethyl alcohol is made from yeast and Isopropyl is made from a bacterium. If consumed, Isopropyl alcohol is deadly. Once it is infused into the liver it becomes a toxic acetone.
Keep all alcohol stored in tightly closed glass bottles that are stored upright in a cool, dark place. Once opened, the bottles will begin to evaporate.
Drinking Alcohol Survival Uses
- Barter
- Firestarter
- Stress reliever
- Deodorant – slap some alcohol on your armpits to reduce odor
- Wound antiseptic
- Medical tool sterilization
- Water disinfectant
- Molotov cocktail – illegal
- Surface cleaner to prevent the spread of germs
- Bug repellent
- Poison ivy and poison oak reliever
- An ingredient in herbal elixirs and tinctures
- Fuel for lamps
- Toothache reliever
- Topical wound cleanser – and for cleaning skin before an injection or surgical procedure
- Facial cleaner to remove possible contamination from airborne germs, blood, or other contaminants
- Gun cleaner
- Fuel for vehicles
- Emergency stove fuel
- Mouth cleaner – gargle to keep gums healthy and mouth cleansed from possible germs
- Cleaner for glass on rifle scopes
- Sore throat reliever – Jack Daniels works extremely well, especially when mixed with lemon and honey
- Weed killer – pour carefully to avoid splashing on crops
- Mold killer inside the home
Rubbing Alcohol Survival Uses
- Tick removal – Dab the rubbing alcohol onto the tick to loosen the grip of the intruder and then gently pluck it from the skin with tweezers.
- Cold Sores – Dab a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cold sore to help it heal more quickly. Yes, there will be a bit of stinging when the alcohol touches the delicate skin.
- Mosquito Bites – Dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol to relieve itching and cleanse the bites.
- Ear Wax Removal – In a cup or bowl, mix together equal parts of vinegar and alcohol to remove wax from the ear. This can be done regularly as a preventive measure.
- Sore Joints and Muscles – Rub the alcohol onto the sore area and massage gently to relieve pain.
- Swimmer’s Ear – Squeeze several drops into the ear to help dry out the ear and to prevent infection.
- Sterilization – Pour or soak and air dry medical tools.
- Finger and toenail Fungus – Mix together equal parts water and rubbing alcohol to remove fungus and to stop the spread of any infection. Soak the entire foot in the mixture to treat athlete’s foot.
- Hand Cleaner – Wash hands in a quarter-sized amount of rubbing alcohol to remove germs. Mix 1 part aloe vera and three parts of the alcohol to make a your own sanitizer gel.
- Degreaser – Use the alcohol to break up built-up grease on farm and hand tools and on cooking tools. Rubbing alcohol is also helpful in removing rust.
- Eyeglasses – Keep seeing clearly by lightly spraying rubbing alcohol onto your spectacles and smoothly wiping the glass dry with cotton.
- Insects – With windows open, spray fruit flies with a strong mist of the alcohol to kill the disease-carrying insects. To help rid the home of bed bugs and dust mites, spray bedding and other upholstered or hanging fabric items with rubbing alcohol.
- Ice Pack – Mix together 3 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol and pour into a freezer bag. Pull out for use on injuries and then place back in the refrigerator or ice house to chill until the pack is needed for use again.
- Dry Erase Board – Many preppers have a large dry erase board tucked away until needed to coordinate or enact the survival plan with their loved ones. Simply put a dime-sized amount of rubbing alcohol on a rag to wipe the board clean.
- Shoe Deodorizer – Having fresh-smelling shoes is not a priority during a long-term disaster, but if you can avoid stinky shoes and feet, everyone else at the prepper retreat will be grateful. Spray the inside of the shoes with rubbing alcohol at the end of the day and allow them to air dry for an hour before returning them to your feet.
- Shoe stretcher — If leather footwear tightens, or you are forced to wear shoes that are not your size, thoroughly dampen the shoes or boots with rubbing alcohol and stretch firmly in all directions with your hands. It may take several stretching sessions before the shoes fit less snugly, but any space gained may help prevent blisters.
- Stockpiling preps that boast multiple uses saves both money and space. Purchasing survival tools that also double as excellent barter ensures that your funds were well spent and nothing on the storage shelves will go to waste.