Hopefully, you were prepared enough to bring an emergency kit. If you weren’t though, not all hope is lost — your camera gear could very well save your life.
In a recent tongue-in-cheek video shared on The Camera Store TV’s YouTube Channel, photographer Chris Niccolls shows how various pieces of equipment in your camera bag can be MacGyvered into life-saving tools and equipment.
To start off the 14-minute video, Niccoll shows how you can crack a UV filter into a cutting tool. He then explains how various wires and camera components can even be rigged into a fly, which is then attached to the leg of a tripod as the pole. Amazingly, he actually catches a fish, albeit one on the small side.
From there, Niccoll covers the need for warmth. For this, he shows how alcohol solution — taken from his sensor cleaning kit — can be used in conjunction with a manual speedlight to create a spark and start a fire.
For shelter, Niccoll relies on his umbrella, a tripod, and a few lighting gels. Sure, even a sprinkle would ruin the setup, but he manages to pull it off.
The video is obviously a parody and not meant to be taken seriously, but from the looks of it, a few of these tricks could actually prove useful out in the boonies. Then again, you could probably replace all of these contrived solutions with a simple multitool and pocket lighter, so you’re better off just carrying those in your camera bag.
