Prepping tips for women: How to survive an emergency with your purse

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Some female preppers carry small bags or purses that can help them survive when SHTF. If you want to defeat an attacker or survive after a disaster strikes, learn how to use your purse and its contents to your advantage. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

You need to be prepared at all times because natural and man-made disasters often occur with little to no warning. And while a lot of people have begun to prepare for these scenarios, you can still lose all your supplies if you don't have a "safe place."

If you carry a purse to school or work, you can also turn it into a survival bag by including several items with various survival uses. A purse, even if it's not a survival kit, can contain a lot of survival items.

Using the purse itself when SHTF

With the right technique, your purse itself can be used for self-defense.

Generally, a purse will have a single long strap for an over-the-shoulder carry and two short straps so you can carry the purse hanging it in the bend of your elbow.

The long strap is perhaps the most useful since it’s often removable. And if you can't unclip the long strap from the purse, it can be torn or cut off with ease. The length of bag straps can vary from three to five feet in length, and they can be successfully used as tourniquets to stop blood flow in case you or someone else is injured.

A purse strap can also be used to set a broken limb or as a sling to keep your arm immobile to rest a sprain, dislocation or fracture.

In a pinch, you can use a purse strap as a weapon by tying a rock or something heavy on one end. Use a weighted purse strap as a whip or long-range defensive or offensive weapon. (Related: Roughing it: Survival tips for female preppers.)

Meanwhile, the short straps can be used as cordage for different purposes. Cut or unfurl the straps for tying off finger splints or use the short straps to tie and secure a pocket knife to the end of a broomstick to make a DIY spear.

If you don't cut the short straps, place several heavy items in your purse and swing the purse to hit your attacker. When SHTF, you can also use your purse to carry items you've scavenged or foraged.

Using the contents of your purse

When disaster strikes, you need to stay calm and think fast, especially if your decision will affect a survival scenario.

If you don't have a bug-out bag when SHTF, you need to think fast so you can figure out which items in your purse have survival uses.

If you smoke, you probably have a lighter or a box of matches in your purse. Both items are useful for fire-starting and a fire is important for boiling water, cooking or staying warm.

You may also have a reusable water bottle in your purse. Plastic bottles are great for water storage but if the container is made of metal or glass, it can also be used to boil water for sanitation or to make various hot beverages.

If you have snacks like biscuits or candies in your purse, you can get a quick energy boost when SHTF.

Ideally, you should also have an umbrella or a disposable poncho so you can stay dry if it rains. A poncho can also be used to build a shelter.

You can use a tampon or a maxi pad to stop the bleeding from an open wound. A tampon can also be used as tinder or as a filtering material for an improvised water filter. The cotton end of a clean tampon can be used to improvise a candle wick.

If you wear makeup, a compact mirror can be used as a signaling device or to start a fire using sunlight.

Use lipstick if you need a marker to trace or mark trails, leave notes for others or start a fire if they are petroleum-based.

Disinfectant gel or hand sanitizer can be used as a fire starter or to build a fire extender or torch with a branch and a tampon.

Condoms can be used for water collection and transport, waterproof containers for electronic items, for carrying foraged items or for improvising all sorts of straps for various uses. If you practice, you can also use a condom as a makeshift slingshot.

Keys on a keychain can be used as a weapon. Hold the keys in your fist with the sharp ends protruding between your finger, then punch anyone or anything that might attack you.

Make sure you have access to useful tools by including a quality multitool in your purse.

Upgrade your purse before SHTF

There are different kinds of purses and what's in your purse may be different from what another prepper has in theirs. But many items you can find in a woman’s purse also have survival uses so try to always carry a prepped-out purse.

Aside from the useful items listed above, you can also carry a mini first aid or survival kit in your purse. If you're worried about self-defense, learn how to use a pocket pistol and keep one in your purse.

Don't limit yourself by only carrying everyday items that could serve double duty. Before SHTF, prepare as you want to and carry other items like a small firearm.

Think outside the box and store items in your purse that would make your life easier if you find yourself stuck in the office or an unknown environment when SHTF. Get a sturdy bag for all your things and survival items so you can get to safety if disaster strikes.

You can also increase your chances of survival by learning these five basic elbow strikes for self-defense.

This video is from the SHTFPrepping101 channel on Brighteon.com.