Use Your Pants As a DIY Flying Device in Survival Situations
If you’re on a sinking ship or fall overboard and don’t have a legal buoyancy device, it’s time to take your pants off. This smart survival trick will help you float on water and spend less energy waiting for someone to save you.
This video from YouTube channel BlackScoutSurvival demonstrates the survival technique taught to all U.S. Marines. As soon as you get into the water, take off your pants. After removing the pants, tie the legs in a simple square knot, then grab the pants by the waist. Now take them out of the water and whisk them well, letting the pant legs fill as much air as possible before dropping into the water again. Each leg should be inflated with air, but this may take several tries. After you’ve got enough air, tuck your head in like it’s a life jacket and hold the waist of your pants with one hand. When swimming, use your other hand to keep your legs damp so that they can trap air inside for longer. Even if you are near the shore, this trick can make sailing easier and keep you from getting tired.