What is a “Shemagh“? Wikipedia tells us: A Shemagh, also known as a Keffiyeh, ghutrah, ḥaṭṭah, mashadah, chafiye, Sudra and cemedanî, is a traditional Middle Eastern headdress fashioned from a square, usually cotton, scarf. It is typically worn by Arab men, as well as some Kurds and Jews. For decades, keffiyeh have been issued to British soldiers who now, almost exclusively, refer to them as shemaghs. Their use by some units and formations of the military and police forces of the former British Empire and subsequent Commonwealth dates back to before the Second World War. Shemaghs are currently worn by special forces worldwide. The Shemagh is essentially a big bandana, usually a square measuring 42 or 44 inches on each side. They come in many colors. I personally have them in green, khaki and white, which should cover all seasons (for some quick head camouflage). What can you use a Shemagh, or a regular bandana for? Almost anything. I keep one in each of my family vehicles, camping kits and even carry one daily in my backpack for work.I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been caught, unexpectedly, outside in the sun, for long periods of time. This can be a life saver, even more so, for us fair skinned folk.
Some Shemagh uses:
01.Sun Protection for bald heads… or necks, for those of you with hair!
02.Cooling (soak with water and drape or tie it to your person)
03.Sweat Band
04.Dust Mask Face covering (conceal your identity, like a ninja)
05.Diffuse Light (put over flashlight or battery lantern)
06.Water pre-filter (remove sediment that could clog your water filter)
07.Water acquisition – Tie around ankles and walk through plants covered with dew. Wring into water container (or mouth)
08.Signaling flag
09.Trail marker
10.Tie to luggage or bag to make it identifiable
11.Hot pad or pot holder (metal or other cookware gets hot when you use it with fire)
12.Food cover (keep bugs off your food)
13.Tourniquet
14.Arm Sling
15.Use to secure a splint in place
16.Eye covering or eye patch
17.Scarf or Neck Warmer
18.Napkin
19.Washcloth
20.Towel
21.Dishtowel
22.Handkerchief (you may have a runny nose or sneezing)
23.bag for food collection or to help carry items Tie around sticks or branches to make a bundle (easier to carry)
24.Knife Wipe Cloth
25.Gun Wipe cloth or tear it up to make gun cleaning patches
26.windsock (check wind direction)
27.Tie down loose gear (on vehicles, belt or backpack)
28.use it to replace a busted backpack shoulder strap
29.belt
30.Hobo pack (pouch on end of a stick)
31.improvised diaper
32.improvised toilet paper (yuck)
33.Blindfold (I’m not even going to ask….)
34.Bullfighting cape (joking…or am I?) “Olé!”
The list of uses, for a shemagh, or a good bandana, could go on and on, and would only be limited by your imagination. This list is just a sampling of, why you need a shemagh in your preparedness gear!
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