We've talked before about the importance of locksmithing for survival. Locksmithing and lockpicking are often overlooked, but they are vital survival tricks that everyone should learn.
In a SHTF situation, you never know when you might need to enter a room or building that's off-limits to you. Maybe you're looking for food, shelter, or a loved one who has been captured … in any case, the fact of the matter is you need to get in, and you won't be able to do it unless you can get past the lock.
Locks come in all shapes and sizes, some more complicated than others. It takes years to become a masterful locksmith.
Opening a standard padlock is a great place to start practicing your locksmithing skills … and we've got a hack today that will make it even easier.
Watch the video below to learn how to pick a padlock with a soda can, and scroll down for a step-by-step tutorial.
How to Pick a Padlock with a Soda Can
Using an X-Acto knife or other sharp instrument, cut off the top of your can.
![Simple Survival Trick 2 Hands cutting off the top of a Pepsi can with an Exacto knife.](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
You may need to use your scissors to finish the job.
![Simple Survival Trick 3 02 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Cut a slit down the middle, then cut off the bottom of the can too.
![Simple Survival Trick 4 03 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Simple Survival Trick 5 04 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Roll the aluminum into a flat sheet and cut it in half.
Take one of the halves and cut it in half again, leaving a small rectangle.
![Simple Survival Trick 7 07 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Cut in from the sides, leaving a small tab at the top of the rectangle. Trim the tab so it's curved.
![Simple Survival Trick 8 08 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Simple Survival Trick 9 09 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Fold it in half, making a tight crease.
![Simple Survival Trick 10 10 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Simple Survival Trick 11 11 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Tightly wrap the tool you've made around the lock.
![Simple Survival Trick 12 12 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Pressing down on the top of the lock as hard as you can, slide the tool down the lock, all the way into the locking mechanism.
![Simple Survival Trick 13 13 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Using your wrist, twist back and forth several times until the lock pops open.
![Simple Survival Trick 14 14 soda can](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Simple Survival Trick 15 This Simple Trick Could Be the KEY to Survival 1](https://blog.gunassociation.org/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Have you ever picked a lock using this method? Do you have any locksmithing tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments!
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The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on August 16, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.