Why Vaseline Deserves a Spot in Every Bug-Out Bag

Vaseline (also known as petroleum jelly) is often overlooked in favor of flashier gear. But when you’re facing a long-term emergency, versatility matters, and this little jar punches far above its weight. It stores indefinitely, resists water, doesn’t freeze easily, and can replace a whole lineup of specialized products, all in one small container.

Whether you’re bugging out, hunkering down, or building your own field kit from scratch, Vaseline is a low-cost, high-impact item that covers hygiene, first aid, fire-starting, and more.

Fire Starter (One of the Best There Is)

Rub Vaseline into cotton balls or gauze pads, then store them in a zip-top bag. When lit with a spark or flame, they catch fast and burn hot for several minutes, even in wind or damp conditions.

Why it matters: You need dry, reliable tinder in every kit. Vaseline makes it easy to carry fire in your pocket.

Emergency Wound Barrier

Apply a thin layer over minor cuts, scrapes, or abrasions to seal out dirt and bacteria. While it’s not a disinfectant, it creates a protective barrier that helps prevent infection.

Why it matters: In a survival situation, keeping wounds clean and covered can mean the difference between healing and serious infection.

Chapped Skin and Windburn Protection

Use it on lips, cheeks, knuckles, or anywhere the wind and cold are cracking your skin open. Vaseline seals in moisture and shields exposed skin from the elements.

Why it matters: Skin breakdown invites infection. Plus, staying comfortable helps you think clearly and move more easily.

Prevent Chafing and Blisters

Rub on feet, inner thighs, or bra-line areas before a long hike or physical task. It reduces friction, preventing painful sores that could slow you down or sideline you entirely.

Why it matters: A single blister can make bugging out on foot ten times harder.

Makeshift Candle or Lamp Fuel

Coat a cotton wick or piece of string and place it in a tin with a dollop of Vaseline. Light it for a small, long-lasting flame source.

Why it matters: Light is comfort, safety, and usefulness after the sun goes down.

Rust Prevention for Blades and Tools

Coat knives, shears, or multitools with a thin layer to protect them from rust, especially in wet environments or humid climates.

Why it matters: Your tools are only useful if they stay functional.

Bug Repellent Booster

Mix Vaseline with a few drops of essential oils like tea tree, citronella, or eucalyptus. Rub it on pulse points or around your ankles and wrists to help keep mosquitoes and ticks at bay.

Why it matters: Bites are not just annoying, they can carry disease or become infected.

Protect Nostrils from Dust, Smoke, or Cold

Rub a small amount just inside your nostrils to trap dust or irritants during wildfires, storms, or when traveling through dry, smoky air.

Why it matters: Your lungs are already under stress in a disaster, give them a little extra help.

Tame Hair or Eyebrows (Yes, Really)

If you need to keep hair out of your face or tame flyaways without access to your usual products, Vaseline helps control it.

Why it matters: In a survival setting, even small comfort rituals help boost morale and maintain routine.

Lubricate Stuck Zippers or Gear

Rub a little onto sticky zippers, squeaky hinges, or frozen fasteners. It can even help un-jam stubborn gear or tool latches.

Why it matters: In an emergency, time and dexterity are everything. Don’t waste either struggling with stuck gear.

Protect Against Saltwater or Chemical Irritants

If you’re exposed to saltwater, fuel, or cleaning agents, coat skin areas likely to contact them. It won’t make you invincible, but it adds a layer of protection.

Why it matters: Preventing irritation keeps you focused and avoids distraction when every moment counts.

Trap and Treat Splinters

Apply a thick layer of Vaseline over a splinter and cover it. The moisture and occlusion can soften the skin and draw the splinter closer to the surface.

Why it matters: Improvised first aid is all about making your tools work overtime.

Seal Containers, Bottles, or Threads

Use it to create a better seal on lids, O-rings, or bottle threads. Helps make waterproof kits truly waterproof.

Why it matters: A leaky bottle can ruin your first aid kit or soak your fire-starting supplies.

Treat Minor Burns or Skin Irritation (After Cooling)

Once the skin has cooled completely and is not blistered, apply Vaseline to keep it moist and protected.

Why it matters: Burns get infected fast. Vaseline helps maintain a healing barrier.

Pet Paw Protection (If You’re Bugging Out with a Dog)

Rub Vaseline on your dog’s paws to prevent cracking, chafing, or ice buildup. It also protects against hot pavement or rough terrain.

Why it matters: Your dog can’t carry you. But they can slow you down if injured.

Final Thoughts from Survivalist Chick

Prepping isn’t just about knives, tarps, and tools. It’s about the small, smart items that keep you healthy, mobile, and focused. Vaseline is one of those underrated powerhouse products that belongs in every bug-out bag, every vehicle kit, and every off-grid supply cache.

It costs almost nothing, weighs next to nothing, and does a little bit of everything. That’s exactly the kind of item every Survivalist Chick should count on.

Stock it. Stash it. Use it. And never underestimate it.

—Survivalist Chick

When you’re building your stockpile or everyday carry kit, the dollar store might not be the first place that comes to mind—but it should be. From hygiene supplies to basic tools, you can grab solid survival items for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.

Prepping doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be intentional. And the dollar store is the perfect place to stretch your budget while covering the basics.

Hygiene & Sanitation

• Baby wipes (great for body cleaning in low-water situations)
• Hand sanitizer
• Bar soap (stock up for hygiene and trade)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Feminine hygiene products
• Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner
• Disposable razors
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers and tweezers
• Cotton balls, Q-tips, and tissues

Why it matters: Cleanliness prevents infection and boosts morale, especially in long-term survival.

Food & Water Storage

• Canned goods (soup, veggies, fruit, tuna)
• Shelf-stable snacks (crackers, granola bars, nuts)
• Powdered drink mixes (electrolytes, vitamin C)
• Plastic food containers
• Zip-top bags and foil
• Manual can opener
• Plastic pitchers or water jugs

Why it matters: Non-perishable food and clean water storage are survival basics, and these items keep you nourished and organized.

First Aid & Health

• Bandages and gauze pads
• Antiseptic wipes
• Hydrocortisone cream and antibiotic ointment
• Thermometers
• Pain relievers (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen)
• Allergy pills and cold medicine
• Hand warmers (seasonal)
• Vitamins and supplements
• Pill organizers

Why it matters: Health is your first defense. Even a small first aid kit can save a life or prevent something minor from becoming serious.

Emergency Supplies

• Flashlights (stock up, even if they’re cheap)
• Batteries (check sizes and expiration dates)
• Glow sticks
• Lighters and matches
• Plastic tarps and ponchos
• Candles
• Rope or twine
• Duct tape
• Bungee cords

Why it matters: Power goes out fast. These items help you stay visible, dry, and ready when everything else fails.

Tools & Hardware

• Utility knives
• Multi-tools or screwdrivers
• Zip ties
• Super glue
• Work gloves
• Mini tool kits
• Duct tape and electrical tape
• Plastic bins and organizers

Why it matters: You don’t need a full workshop. Just a few basic tools can keep your gear and space functional in an emergency.

Cleaning Supplies

• Bleach (for sanitation and water purification)
• Disinfectant spray or wipes
• Scrub brushes and sponges
• Trash bags (regular and heavy-duty)
• Rubber gloves
• Buckets or basins

Why it matters: Sanitation is survival. If your water is off or systems go down, cleaning supplies help keep you healthy and safe.

Miscellaneous Survival Staples

• Notebooks and pens (for tracking info or leaving notes)
• Playing cards or puzzles (for morale and downtime)
• Plastic tablecloths (makeshift rain covers or privacy screens)
• Laundry bags and clothespins
• Sewing kits
• Reading glasses

Why it matters: Small comforts and clever solutions make a big difference when life gets stressful.

Final Thoughts from Survivalist Chick

You don’t need a fancy budget or a bunker to get started. You need smarts, a list, and a shopping basket. The dollar store is a treasure trove for preppers who know what they’re looking for. Start small, build smart, and prep like the confident, capable woman you are.

Stay savvy, stay safe, and never underestimate what a few bucks can do.

—Survivalist Chick

The only downside is that the smallest ring size is a size 9 – this will fit women with larger than average finger size, however the business recommends purchasing a ring one size larger, so if you wear a size 8 ring, the 9 should fit as well.

The alternative is to wear the ring on a chain around your neck – not too different from how some people were a wedding ring or other significant ring on a chain around their neck.  And it can easily be worn under clothing, so no one would really notice it.  And the tool inside looks more like a decorative touch inside, so even if someone notices the “markings” inside the ring, most would never consider that there is a saw and dual use tool hidden inside.

The shim inside the ring can be used to open restraints, and the saw can cut open zip ties, plastic handcuffs, rope, heavier tape including duct tape and many other materials.    The shim is 2″ long, 1/8″ wide.

It is very light weight, but the definite appeal here is that it can be either worn on your finger or worn on a chain around the neck.

The ring itself is made of titanium, so it is a very strong and durable ring.  It is polished for a shiny finish.

The tiny saw is held in a groove on the inside of a ring, and held in with tension so you don’t feel the saw blade at all while wearing the ring.  You pop the tool out with a fingernail or you can use something with a sharp point to pop it out.  It pops back inside the ring easily after use.

Size 9:

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