Make A ‘Caveman Ziptie’ In The Wild With A Palmetto Plant

If you ever find yourself lost in the wilds of a warmer climate, the strong leaves from a palmetto plant can help you build a shelter.

In this video from the National Geographic YouTube channel, Colbert Sturgeon from the show Live Free or Die demonstrates how to make a “caveman ziptie.” All you need to do is find a palmetto plant, like the saw palmetto, and pull off some of its leaves. Now strip the fibres of the leaves lengthwise to create a few strands and your caveman zipties are ready. When it’s time to build your shelter, use the strands to join everything together. And, as Sturgeon explains, be sure to wrap the strands tight so the friction of the fibres do all the hard work.

How to Make a Caveman Ziptie [YouTube]