Anybody ever had or know persons that have used "MacGyver" type resourcefulness in survival situations?

In 1976 my Motor Lifeboat Station had the last 36' lifeboat in commission ( reserve utility service.) These were double ended, wooden affairs with a single engine and even an auxiliary mast! It was due for decommisioning and display at a maritime museum. I actually found the mast stored in the bo'suns locker on base and restored it. One day we had all units on an extended SAR when yet another call came in. I got underway in the old 36535. Approaching the capsized boat our engine died. We stepped the mast ( I had been reading about sailing the night before) and completed the mission under sail. The next month I took our modern 44' out and flipped it in the same spot.

I once used a Bic "Crystal" pen and my Fisherman SAK to "replace" a fuel filter on a pick-up-truck when a friend and I were stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Does this count?

If that counts, and it sounds like it does to me, then I guess fixing a blown radiator hose with some scrap pieces of wire and a V-8 can with both ends cut out (with a P-38 of course) and stuck into the ends of the hose counts too...