Survival uses for silk stockings:

Yes those garments worn by women have a great many survival uses. In fact nylon tights (pantyhose?) can also be used and may be better in some circumstances, although they're not such a joy to wear <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Ok so the first thing is that you have to wear the things, in fact you have to wear them throughout your whole wilderness trip, if your trip is only going to be a few days you may have to pre-wear them.

Water filter: Your well worn stockings will not only filter out large particulates but are also biologically active. Basically the bacteria/fungi in your sweaty silk will react with any nasties in the water rendering even the muckiest water drinkable. Clearly those parts of the stockings which are close to the sweatiest parts of the body will be the most useful. Stockings may only provide you with the two feet, tights (pantyhose) will also provide you with the extremely effective crotch area.

Bait: Small pieces of the silk will act as excellent bait, mainly because of the pheremones which will atrract a great many fish and small mammals. A words of warning though that prolonged wear will provide enough pheremones which might attract larger game, like Grizzlies.

Fire starting: An added advantage of using tights as opposed to stockings is that material from the crotch area provides a highly effective tinder which will produce great heat from even the smallest spark. The wearer will need to be careful during thunderstorms, the tendency to cower to the ground with the backside pointed skywards should be avoided.

Other board members are welcome to suggest other uses for these fantastic survival garments.

Justin