In a survival situation, pine resin can make life a lot easier or it can even be a life saver.

Below are some of the more popular uses for pine resin, wherever you find yourself and in whatever situation you are facing.

First aid.

When you’re outdoors camping or in a survival situation, cutting accidents will almost always happen. Pine resin can be applied directly over the wound to stem blood flow almost at once. The resin will inhibit growth and spread of bacteria because of its sticky nature which denies bacteria moisture it needs to survive.
You can also use sap to treat blisters, burns and abscesses.

Light and heat.

Look for a stone with depression, a can, a clam shell or anything that can be filled with resin. For a wick, use some twisted cloth. Fill the depression with resin, lay the wick on top and ignite the wick.
To use the pine resin as a heat source, get a metal container and punch holes in its side. Place it over the ignited resin. The metal will absorb the heat and conduct to the surrounding area.

Make glue out of pine resin.

Heat the resin to liquid form. While the pine resin is heating, crumble some charcoal from the fire to fine powder. When the resin is ready, remove from heat and stir in the powder charcoal – the amount of the charcoal powder should be about 1/3 of the resin’s volume. Dip a stick repeatedly in the mixture to form a ball of pitch on the end. Store the glue like this until it is needed. Heat the hardened glue until pliable.

Start a fire with pine resin.

You can use a pine resin to start a fire in damp conditions. Look for some hardened pine resin and some pine sticks. You will see streaks of resin when you split the pine sticks. Lay some dried pine needles near the resin. When you ignite the resin, it will burn long enough to dry the pine needles and you can add small pieces of the pine sticks which will burn even if somewhat damp because of the resin.

Pine resin is one of those natural substances anyone can find that can make coping with a survival situation much easier; in some cases, it can even be a life saver.

For more information on the many uses of pine resin, please visit Crisis Survivor Tips.