The following list gives you a few ideas for off-grid survival items that have multi purposes. While reading the list try to think of a few of your own!

1. Honey

This stuff is better than gold in an emergency situation because it’s easy to store, it NEVER spoils and it has a ton of practical uses.

◾Has vitamins and minerals so if you’re using a sweetener, honey is better than sugar
◾Can be used as an antibacterial on wounds
◾Is a great healing agent for wounds and helps keep the bandage from sticking
◾Barter – sweeteners are going to be way up there on the list
◾Excellent skin moisturizer (if your skin is so dry that it cracks, you’re going to have problems)
◾Makes a great burn treatment because of the antibacterial properties and the moisturizing power
◾Soothes sore throats
◾When mixed with vinegar and water is an effective parasite remover
◾Make fly/bug strips

2. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen

You can pick these up relatively cheaply and because most bottles are only a third of the way full or so, you can combine the bottles if space is an issue. Leaving them sealed is, of course, the better option but do what you need to do.
These two NSAIDs are going to be invaluable and rare (after a while) in a post-SHTF situation, so we highly suggest adding them to your stockpile. Because each one works better for different ailments, we suggest stockpiling them both.

◾Quick relief from headaches and migraines
◾Relieves dental pain
◾Are anti-inflammatories that work well on arthritis and joint and back pain
◾Relieves menstrual pain
◾Helps recover faster from sprains and injuries and provides pain relief in the meantime
◾EXCELLENT barter items!
◾Reduces fever quickly (remember that a fever is your body’s way of killing disease, so unless the fever is extremely high, it may be better to let it rage for a day or two)

3. Empty Bottles/buckets

◾Water storage
◾Make water filtration devices from plastic bottles
◾Storing dried foods if there’s a sealed lid
◾Floatation devices
◾Solar lamps (bottles)
◾Cut ends off of bottle and place over seedlings to save those small plants from frost
◾Barter

 4. Tampons

The military has carried unscented tampons in their medic kits for decades.

Here are a few uses:
◾Obviously, feminine hygiene
◾Barter
◾Plugging bullet holes
◾Stopping nosebleeds
◾Unrolled, for wound dressing or packing
◾Water filter to get out “floaters”
◾Starting a fire
◾The string makes a useable candle wick or soak the whole thing in wax for a small candle/fire starter
◾Earplugs
◾Fishing bobber (package with the tube inside)
◾Packing an abscessed or broken tooth

From a survivalist point of view, what is really nice about the items above is they are great for exchanges and bartering as well as using them for your own family’s needs. After all most people, during or after a disaster, will not be thinking as clearly as you – will not be prepared –  and probably would not initially consider multipurpose items as a way to survive for any period of time.

Later, with your good sense and teaching skills they may know differently. For more item ideas to use for multiple purposes please go to The Prepper Dome. They're an EXCELLENT source for survivor information!