Homesteaders and Preppers alike want everything to have as many uses as possible. I like that and agree, multipurpose items are best. Today we are going to talk about a modern marvel called vet wrap.
What is Vet Wrap?
Vet wrap is a self-adherent veterinary medical fabric. I was first introduced to vet wrap while I was showing horses. We used it to wrap horses legs after we washed them to keep dirt and dust off till we could get done showing.
It didn't take me long to realize that this wonderful little invention could be used for so much more. The next thing I used it for was to wrap horse hooves after trimming to walk across gravel. I had one horse that her feet would be really sore after a trimming. Each time we would have her hooves trimmed I would wrap them for padding the first day.
There were several injuries and vet wrap can to the rescue. Now we are going to talk about the ways vet wrap can be used to help us people.
Medical Uses
1. For a sprained wrist or ankle. The first time I used vet wrap on something other than an animal I used it on myself. I had sprained my wrist and wrapped it for extra support. Use vet wrap the same way you would use an ace bandage, just no need for the little clips that always get lost.
2. To Secure a splint. Vet wrap can take the place of rope, twine, or even torn fabric is holding a splint in place. The fact that it self adheres makes it even better. You do not have to tie knots. A tuck does help though.
3. A Sling for Arm or Shoulder Injuries. The average role of vet wrap has 5 yards (15 feet) on the roll and comes in 2 and 4 inch wide sizes. It doesn't take but a wrap or two to help hold an arm in place for a sling. Really quick and really easy.
4. Secure an Eye Patch. Use some gauze or a handkerchief, wrap a couple of times with vet wrap around your head and you are good to go.
5. Tourniquet. Vet wrap is actually really strong and is difficult to tear anyway, bunch it up or roll it and it is more than strong enough to be used for a tourniquet.
6. Padding for Crutches. If you have had to be on crutches for any length of time at all, you know the pads that they put on those things get gross really quickly and they do not provide much padding at all. Once again this is a place that you can use a handkerchief in cooperation with the vet wrap. Fold the hankie or even just a scrap of fabric into a rectangle that will run the length of the upper arm rest, then wrap with vet wrap to keep in place. You can also just make several wraps if you do not have a hankie or fabric you can use. The addition just means you can use less vet wrap so you still have some for other things.
7. Wound Care. This one would I guess just be a given. It was designed for veterinary wound care and it works great on people too.
Personal Comfort Uses
If you get creative there are so many ways to use almost anything. Vet wrap comes in a lot, and I mean a LOT of different colors, so if you are concerned with style, I guess you could make anything match. I don't think much about style, but some do.
8. Headband. Vet wrap alone will not soak up sweat, but with just a small piece of fabric or yes a handkerchief, it can certainly stop sweat from getting in your eyes. If you have long bangs, you can use a simple headband to keep hair out of your eyes.
9. Pony Tail Holder. Don't have a rubber band? No problem if you have vet wrap and you can even use a color that will make it look nice. Either wrap tightly or tie it into a bow and you are ready to go.
10. Protect Your Ears from Wind. If my wife is out in a high wind for very long she will develop an earache. Do the headband thing, but make sure that you cover the ears and an earache will not be a problem. I would suggest a couple of wrappings to make the band as windproof as possible.
11. Protect against blisters. This works well especially for feet. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking you can wrap your feet with a round or two to create a barrier between your feet and the most likely parts of your shoes to rub. It will not move. You can also use it for your hands, but I have not had as good results.
12. Scarf. Will a vet wrap scarf be as warm as a nice wool one? Heck no! Is it better thank nothing? Most certainly.
13. Belt or Suspenders. I was actually thinking about listing these separately, but if I did it would only be to have a higher number of uses. In my opinion this is two different ways to accomplish the same goal. To stop a full moon from rising. So I put them together.
General Purpose Uses
14. Sling for Carrying Things. This can be as simple or complex as you want. You could tie a water jug to each end and throw the band across your shoulder to help you carry them. This is just one example and will get your brain to running on how to use this better.
15. Bag or Basket. This one can actually be quite advanced. If you are not trying to carry anything heavy. the self adherent nature of vet wrap will make it stick together and it can be used as a basic container. If you are wanting some way to carry things that are heavier or you want a more durable container, you can weave a makeshift basket from vet wrap that will do a very good job.
16. Cordage. I have already stated that vet wrap is fairly tough as is, but if you just roll it up it gets even stronger. If you have plenty and you want an even stronger rope, you can braid it.
17. Wire Organization. Tie that extension cord up so it won't tangle, have multiple colors for wire identification. Is it ideal? Nope, but if you are in a pinch you should be able to use what you have in as many ways as you can.
18. Emergency Muzzle. I am not suggesting trying to use vet wrap as a muzzle for a dog that is actively trying to bite you, but if you have a dog that is injured and you need to work on them. A vet wrap muzzle could do the trick. Just wrap around the mouth and to the back of the head for extra security. Make sure your dog is breathing well through it's nose.
19. Quiet something that is making Noise. My dog's vaccination tags come to mind instantly. Especially if I am having a difficult time getting to sleep. If he is scratching and I am trying to sleep, to me those tags can sound like church bells. Just a small bit of vet wrap around the tags and the jingle will stop.
20. Tether. It doesn't matter whether you are tying something to your belt or your backpack, some times all you need is a little something to help keep whatever in place.
21. Padding for nearly anything. Wrap a few layers around an ax handle and the amount of vibration you will feel will be reduced. Could also be used in conjunction with leaves, cotton, dried cattail heads to make a seat cushion or even a pillow.
22. Anti Slip Surface. Okay, I know this one is going to sound weird, but I have actually done this. While working on a car I wanted to put my phone on the hood. I couldn't keep it in my pocket, I was afraid I would break it. The phone kept slipping off. Small square of vet wrap and the phone stayed still. I know you can use that idea for other things.
23 Pot Holder. Sometimes things are a little too hot to handle. If you don't have another choice you can use a wrapping or two, to help you deal with these hot situations.
24. Blindfold. It will actually take a couple of rounds, but you can block someones vision with vet wrap.
Can you think of more ways to use vet wrap? I would love to hear them.
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