5 Simple Things You Didn't Know You Can Do With a Tarp

At PTM Tarps, we're obviously a little biased when it comes to tarps. If you're still on the fence about these multipurpose wonders, let us give you five ways to use tarps that you may have never considered before.

Enjoy camping rain or shine

1. On your next camping or hiking trip, bring an extra tarp and a pair of scissors. That way, if you get caught in the rain, you won't get soaked. Instead, you can cut out some holes for your head and arms
and craft yourself a makeshift poncho. Your family and friends may laugh at you at first, but you'll get the last, mostly dry, laugh.

2. An extra tarp is always a great idea in case of an emergency. If you hit a deer, for example, or a fellow hiker falls and twists his or her ankle, you can place the person or deer on the tarp and use it to haul the animal or person to safety. Tarps could also help you signal for help if you got hopelessly lost in the woods and could be used to wrap up a potential hypothermia sufferer and keep him or her warm until help arrives.

Simple summer fun

3. Think summer fun. You don't have to go to the store to look for a slide and spend a lot of money
on fancy toys. Instead, lay down a tarp and turn on the hose and let everyone slide away, over and over again. Or, if you're really feeling adventurous, use a tarp to create a makeshift pool by either digging a hole or covering the bottom of an inflatable pool with a hole in it.

4. If you're high on stuff and low on the means to carry it with, you can easily turn a tarp into a backpack by wrapping up everything inside and tying with just a little rope.

5. Stranded at sea? No problem - just use your tarp to create a sail and let the wind ferry you to safety.
See? There's almost nothing tarps can't do.