If you’ve been paying attention to ways to be prepared for disasters for any time at all, you’ve probably encountered DIY PVC survival projects before.
PVC is an extremely useful material for prepping because it’s affordable, waterproof, flexible, and extremely durable.
It can be used in thousands of different ways, especially when used with adaptors and connectors.
If you’re interested in how to use PVC for survival, keep reading.
| Quick Navigation Bow and Arrow Bow and Arrow Quiver Fishing Pole Spear Bicycle Water Storage | Camouflaged Wagon for Kids Periscope Greenhouse Storage Container for Seeds Shovel |
PVC for Survival
Whether you’ve just started prepping or you’ve been doing it for years, DIY PVC survival projects can significantly improve your survival game.
PVC can be used for survival by giving you storage for weapons, water, and seeds. PVC can even be used for larger projects like building a shelter or formed into a weapon. Here are ten of the best PVC survival tips.
Bow and Arrow
Having a bow and arrow in a disaster could save your life or help you hunt for food to feed your family.
Being able to complete a DIY PVC survival project without power tools or heat is even more useful. Here’s an easy and very inexpensive way to make a bow and arrow out of PVC.
Materials
- 5 feet of ¾ inch PVC
- Paracord
- Duct tape
- Tape measure
- Sharpie
- Rattail File
- Hacksaw
- 3 Fiberglass driveway markers
Instructions
Use the sharpie and measuring tape to measure one inch from the end of your PVC pipe, then use your rattail file to make a notch into the pipe until it is about ¼ inch deep.
Then, continue to use the rattail file to slightly curve the notch on both sides. Repeat this on the other side of the PVC pipe, making sure that the notches are evenly placed.
Use the measuring tape again to cut one of your driveway markers in half. Lay down the two pieces of fiberglass you have, and mark the middle of both pieces.
Place the two full-length markers beside your PVC pipe and overlap them so one end of each marker touches each PVC notch. Use your measuring tape to mark the middle of where your markers overlap.
Put all three of the driveway markers together with the middle lines placed evenly, and then duct tape them together.
Slide the bundle of markers inside of the PVC pipe. These markers are what give your bow more strength and flexibility. Now, tie your paracord around one of the notches. Bend your PVC pipe slightly and tie the paracord around the second notch.
Bow and Arrow Quiver
In a real emergency, you probably aren’t going to be able to carry your arrows by hand constantly.
This is why you should make a quiver that can hold your arrows, and you can do that very quickly and easily with one PVC pipe.
You can choose the size of the PVC pipe that works for you, but make sure it is slightly longer than your arrows. Get an end cap to fit.
You can also drill a hole through one side of your PVC pipe and thread paracord through it. Now you have a harness for your shoulder or waist!
Fishing Pole
A fishing pole is a creative way to use PVC for survival. Although this project requires some more tools and supplies than other projects, it’s still a quick, easy, and inexpensive project that could make the difference for you in the case of an emergency.
Materials
- 10 feet of ½ inch PVC
- 10 feet of ¾ inch PVC
- Hacksaw or pipe cutter
- Sandpaper
- ¾ inch slip cap
- ½ inch slip cap
- ¾ to ½ threaded connector
- ½ to ½ inch threaded connector
- Drill
- 3/32 inch drill bit
- Binder clips
- Ice fishing reel
Instructions
Use your hacksaw to cut both PVC pipes down to the size of your choice, and use sandpaper to smooth out the edges. Place the slip caps and threaded connectors on the pipes. Drill three evenly placed holes all the way through the ½ inch PVC pipe with your 3/32 inch drill bit.
Remove the silver parts from your binder clips and use pliers to twist the curved end once so it creates a closed circle. Turn the ends of the clips inward so they are pointing at each other. Slip those ends of the clips into the holes you made in the PVC pipe. Do this three times for the three binder clips.
Disassemble your fishing reel and use the white plastic piece as a guide to drill holes in your ¾ inch PVC pipe. Then screw the white plastic piece to your ¾ inch PVC pipe according to the holes you just drilled. Finally, attach the rest of the fishing reel to your PVC pipe before screwing your two PVC pipe pieces together.
Spear
You can use a ½ inch PVC pipe to make a sharp spear or gig. Just use a hacksaw, jigsaw, or even a sharp knife to cut your PVC at an angle. The length of your PVC pipe will depend on your purpose – keep it short for self-defense or make it long for hunting.
Bicycle Water Storage
You only need a short piece of PVC and two end caps to have a quick and easy water container for your but out bicycle Then, with two zip ties, you can attach the PVC to your bike to make a water container.
Camouflaged Wagon for Kids
If you’re preparing for a disaster and you have young kids, you have a lot more obstacles to think about.
If you want to be prepared for traveling with kids, you need to have a way to transport them when they are unable or too tired to walk. This covered, camouflaged wagon could be the answer.
Materials
- Metal wagon
- 3 inch PVC pipe and end cap
- 6 inch diameter pipe clamps
- Camo spray paint (optional)
- 3 five-feet lengths of ¾ in flexible PVC pipe
- Vinyl canopy
Instructions
After purchasing a wagon, you can use the spray paint to make the wagon blend in more easily. Then you can attach the three-inch PVC pipe and end cap to your wagon with the pipe clamps.
You can add a few of lengths of PVC pipe around your wagon to use as discreet storage for water bottles, weapons, or anything else.
All you need is a length of 3-inch PVC pipe with an end cap on one end and a screw-on lid on the other. Attach this length of PVC to the wagon with zip ties or pipe clamps.
Use your ¾ inch flexible PVC pipes to attach onto the sides of the wagon to create a base for the vinyl canopy covering. Use zip ties or clamps to secure the PVC to the wagon.
Then, all you have to do is place your canopy over the wagon to protect your kids from the elements.
Periscope
A periscope can be an important tool to help you get more visibility of surrounding areas. By using PVC pipes to create a periscope, you can choose how long or short you want it to be. Keep in mind that a longer periscope will give you a smaller image.
Materials
- 2 feet of 2 inch PVC pipe
- 2 elbow joints
- 2 mirrors that fit your PVC size
- Adhesive
Instruction
First, make two cuts on the outside of your elbow joints, which is where you will place your mirrors. Make sure these cuts end just above and just below the elbow bend. Slide your mirrors through the slits, and make sure they rest at a 45-degree angle.
Use the adhesive to attach the mirrors to the elbow joints, and cover any part of the mirrors that protrude.
Then, put your two PVC elbow joints onto the PVC pipe with the top one facing outward and away from you and with the bottom one facing inward. You can choose to secure these joints to the pipe with adhesive, or you can leave them how they are for later adjustment. Now, test out your new periscope.
Greenhouse
If there is an emergency that forces you to use the land to provide food, a greenhouse could be a necessity to help you plant fruits or vegetables.
Building a greenhouse doesn’t have to take a lot of time and money when you do this DIY PVC survival project.
Materials
- 4 ten-foot pieces of ½ inch PVC pipe
- 4 ½ inch corner elbow connectors with 3 ports
- ½ inch adaptors
- Primer and PVC cement
- Scissors
- Zip ties
- Hacksaw or pipe cutter
- 6ft x 6ft, 3.5 ml plastic sheeting
Instructions
Cut two of your 10-foot sections of PVC pipes in half, so you have four pieces of five-foot pipes.
Put PVC primer on the inside of your elbow pieces and on the ends of your pipe, but not inside the threaded elbows. Then attach the elbows to the ends of your five-foot pipes with the PVC cement.
Curve one of your ten-foot pipes and attach it in the elbow pieces with cement. Repeat these steps for the other five-foot pipe and elbows.
Then, cut your plastic sheeting to cover the curves that will make the back of your greenhouse with 6 inches of overlap. Finally, attach the plastic sheeting to the PVC pipes with zip ties.
Screw your threaded adapters into the elbows and attach the remaining 5-foot sections to the adapters to complete your greenhouse frame.
Use the rest of your plastic sheeting to cover the greenhouse and attach with zip ties. Remember to cut small holes in the top of the plastic to prevent water from puddling.
Anchor your greenhouse to the ground with cement blocks or camping tent spikes. Use the greenhouse to protect your plants from the harsh sun or the bitter cold nights and days.
Storage Container for Seeds
You can use a PVC pipe to store seeds, similar to the way you can use PVC to store water, water bottles, and weapons. W
e recommend ¾ or 1-inch PVC pipes, but you can choose the size. Get one pipe and two end caps. You can use this to easily carry fruit and vegetable seeds, and grow plants when the time comes.
Shovel
You probably can’t imagine how one PVC pipe can be turned into a shovel. It may not have the same look as the metal shovels you’re used to, but a PVC pipe can be very effective!
Materials
- 4 inch PVC pipe
- 4 inch end cap
- Hacksaw or pipe cutter
Instructions
Take your PVC pipe and use your hacksaw or power saw to cut one end at a sharp angle. Place the end cap on the opposite end. You can use this to cut plants out of the ground and to dig through dirt.
Final Thoughts
Even though there are only ten DIY PVC survival projects on this list, there are thousands of others. You don’t have to look far to find even more PVC survival tips, but you can start with some of the simple and useful projects above.
If you’re looking for a reliable place to buy PVC online, I recommend PVCFittingsOnline.com, a leading supplier of PVC pipe, fittings, valves, plumbing supply, and more. These guys specialize in PVC and know their stuff. The material they use seems to be higher quality and their service is friendly and on the ball.