CIA's 10 Most Bizarre Survival Tricks You Need To Know

Most folks picture the CIA as a shadowy force pulling strings around the world, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find they’ve developed some downright weird survival tricks—ones that actually work.

These aren’t your typical prepper tips. They’re field-tested, often strange, and surprisingly effective when everything hits the fan.

Let’s walk through ten of the most bizarre tricks CIA operatives have used—and how they could save your life too.

Storing Water in a Condom

Sounds strange, but an unlubricated latex condom can hold almost a gallon of water. It’s stretchy, sterile, and compact enough to stash anywhere.

CIA operatives have used this method in the field when traditional water containers weren’t an option.

How to Use It:

Choose unlubricated condoms—lubricated ones can taint the water.
Slowly fill the condom with water to avoid bursting.
Slip it into a sock or cloth to protect it from sharp objects.
Tie it off and stash it in your pack until you’re ready to use it.

It’s a last-ditch tool, but when you’re far from clean water, it’s a surprisingly handy way to carry life-saving hydration.

PRO TIP

Water is also a major concern for the U.S. armed forces. With soldiers constantly deployed in arid regions around the world, the military always needs access to clean water.

To ensure they can secure enough water, American specialists developed a plan called The Water Freedom System.

It is now available to the general public, and you can find it here.

If you’re looking for a portable water generator—ideal for bugging out—you have this option, as well as this DIY generator that can fit in your backpack.

Chewing Match Heads for Alertness

It’s dangerous and a bit toxic, but when sleep wasn’t an option, CIA operatives reportedly chewed match heads to stay awake.

Why It Works:

The phosphorus in match heads acts as a stimulant.
It offers a short burst of alertness when caffeine isn’t available.

Important:

Never make a habit of this—it can cause stomach irritation and worse.
Only consider it in extreme emergencies.

When you’re running on fumes and your survival depends on staying alert, this risky trick could give you the edge you need—but know the risks.

You can learn about safer ways to stay awake during a crisis from here. These are based on expert opinions, so it’s worth taking a note.

Hiding Gear in Rotten Meat

This one’s downright disgusting—but genius. Operatives have reportedly wrapped sensitive gear in waterproof film and buried it inside decomposing meat or garbage heaps. The stench keeps people away, making it a surprisingly effective hiding place.

How You Can Adapt It:

Use vacuum-sealed bags or waterproof containers.
Wrap your gear and bury it in compost, animal remains, or waste piles.
Be sure to mark the location discreetly for later recovery.

Not many looters will go digging through rot and flies. If you need to hide something important, this might be the trick that works.

PRO TIP

Meat is a precious resource because it represents a huge source of protein—an essential element for survival.

As a prepper, I recommend investing in beef or even pork, which I’ve already talked about here in terms of how it can be used nose-to-tail.

However, certain parts of the pig spoil quickly and aren’t considered valuable for food—organs, soft fat, or blood-rich cuts. These “leftovers” can become the perfect hiding spot.

As for what you can do with the rest of the pig, we’ve put together a detailed guide in the article mentioned before.

For preservation and preparation, I also recommend taking inspiration from the Amish. Here’s a simple recipe for long-lasting Amish salt-cured pork:

Ingredients:

Pork belly or shoulder (boneless, cut into slabs)
Coarse salt
Brown sugar or molasses (optional)
Black pepper and mustard seeds (optional)

The Amish use a time-tested technique that involves burying the pork in layers of salt, letting nature do its work, and finishing it in a way that locks in flavor and preserves it for months. The exact steps are part of their old-world tradition—something you can find fully explained in The Amish Ways Book.

Turning a Magazine Into a Weapon

When operatives were in places where weapons weren’t allowed, they learned to improvise. A tightly rolled magazine becomes a powerful striking tool.

How to Use It:

Roll the magazine tightly from end to end.
Secure it with tape, rubber bands, or even paracord.
Aim for soft targets like the throat, neck, or solar plexus.

This might sound silly until you try it. With the right grip and speed, a simple magazine can double as a serious self-defense tool.

PRO TIP

If you’re not equipped with serious weapons, this can be a very effective technique to defend yourself in case you’re attacked by looters.

If you’d rather prepare properly, you can learn about the best guns for home defense in The Home Defense Academy, hosted by Terry Schappert, a United States Army Special Forces combat veteran.

Vaseline and Cotton Ball Fire starters

This trick has made the rounds in prepper communities, but it actually has roots in CIA fieldcraft.

Petroleum jelly-coated cotton balls make reliable firestarters, even in wet or windy conditions.

How to Make Them:

Rub petroleum jelly generously into regular cotton balls.
Store them in waterproof containers like film canisters or pill bottles.
A spark from flint or steel will ignite them instantly.

They burn hot and long, which is perfect for damp wood or kindling that just won’t catch. Keep a stash in every pack.

Mental Escape Mapping

CIA agents train themselves to always know how to escape. No matter where they are, they’re mentally mapping exits, cover, and routes to safety.

How to Build This Habit:

Walk into a room and find three ways out—every time.
Notice things like stairwells, windows, cover spots, and obstacles.
Practice visualizing your escape silently.

If chaos erupts, this awareness could save your life. In high-stress moments, your preloaded escape plan means less hesitation and faster action.

PRO TIP

In A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide, Joel Lambert teaches you how to turn your home into the safest place on Earth.

This also includes setting up a secure method to eliminate intruders, room by room.

You’ll also learn how to leave yourself an escape route, in case you need to run.

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Suturing Wounds With Floss and Tape

Out in the wild, you probably won’t have a suture kit. But floss and duct tape? Those are in every bug-out bag. CIA field medics learned to make do with what they had.

How It Works:

Use waxed dental floss—it’s strong and easier to tie.
Sterilize a sewing needle with fire or alcohol.
Carefully stitch the wound closed using basic suture knots.
Cover the wound with duct tape to keep it sealed and clean.

This isn’t a perfect solution, but if you’re hours from help, it might be the difference between infection and survival.

Fire From Steel Wool and Batteries

This is one of the coolest little tricks you can carry with you. All it takes is steel wool and a 9-volt battery.

How to Ignite:

Pull off a small piece of fine steel wool.
Fluff it slightly to increase surface area.
Touch both terminals of the battery to the wool.
The current will cause it to spark and ignite.

Great for wet conditions when matches are useless, and it takes up almost no space in your bug-out bag.

Surviving in the wilderness can be extremely difficult if you don’t have the right knowledge. Starting a fire is the most basic skill of all.

From here, you can learn how to build and maintain no less than 4 crucial types of survival fires.

Tampons for Bullet Wounds

Tampons weren’t designed for battlefield wounds, but they’ve saved lives in emergencies. They’re sterile, compact, and highly absorbent.

Field Use:

Insert the tampon into the wound to slow bleeding.
Apply pressure and wrap with cloth or gauze.
Seek real medical help as soon as possible.

Let me say it again: this is for emergencies only, when medical help is unavailable.

It won’t replace trauma care, but it could buy you precious time.

The “Gray Man” Technique

Sometimes, survival means disappearing. CIA agents master the art of blending in so well they’re completely forgettable.

How to Be Invisible:

Dress neutrally—avoid logos, bright colors, or tactical gear.
Don’t make eye contact or appear nervous.
Move with purpose, not urgency.
Avoid unnecessary conversations or standing out in crowds.

When things get ugly, you don’t want to be remembered. Looking ordinary is one of the most powerful tools in your survival kit.

Final Thoughts

These CIA survival tricks may sound bizarre, but they come from high-stakes situations where creativity and resourcefulness matter most. Whether it’s using dental floss to stitch up a wound or burying your gear in rotting garbage, these ideas prove that thinking outside the box could be what keeps you alive.

Add these tricks to your arsenal and practice them when it’s safe to do so. Because when the worst happens, it won’t be about having the fanciest gear—it’ll be about using what you’ve got in ways most people would never even think of.

The CIA was heavily involved at the intelligence level throughout the Cold War, when many of these tactics were developed. Around the same time, the FCDA came up with the idea of the Doomsday Ration—a emergency food plan that could feed every American for just $0.37 per day. The plan is now declassified, and you can view it here.