How to start a fire

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

Big problem with the urine /bag trick, if you're where the sunlight is that good, you probably don't need a fire right then. I can't imagine that trick working under the "Need a fire right damn now because its 10 below and 30 mile/hour wind and snowing " scenario.

Basically sounds like a MacGyver bit of BS to me.

Even if it were 90º out, I'd still make a fire. The first chance that I got to make fire, I'd take it. I can just imagine waiting until I really needed it and then having to work my ass off in unbearable conditions. The thought of that scares me already.

[Grandpa]

I still say emergency preparedness includes having a couple of bic lighters handy.

[ChadTower]

It does, of course, but it's not much of a stretch to get into a situation where they were in the daypack that somehow ended up 3 miles downstream.

[MtMakiling]

Starting a fire with water, or woods, anything requires skill. I couldn't even get two sticks to start a fire. I get exhausted very easily rubbing them together to create friction. So I think I'd just carry loads of lighter just in case.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by MtMakiling

Starting a fire with water, or woods, anything requires skill. I couldn't even get two sticks to start a fire. I get exhausted very easily rubbing them together to create friction. So I think I'd just carry loads of lighter just in case.

Creating friction fires requires a lot of practice and a lot of time, and it doesn't guarantee a fire. If you're really concerned with starting a fire, bring lights and a couple of those little tea light candles (without the metal bits). That way, even if the wood is wet, you can set the burning candle beneath your kindling and the candle will burn for a while and dry it out.

[oldsarge]

It pays to know your wood also. Hard and soft make a difference when using a bow drill. I think the biggest issue with starting a fire using friction is having the proper fuel. if you have a nice dry birds nest to catch fire, it doesn't take much to get it going.

[ChadTower]

Last night I was playing a bit with a 9v battery and a Brillo pad. I need to practice that method. Don't know when I would find myself deep in the woods with only a battery and a Brillo pad but it's worth knowing...

[wvbreamfisherman]

I'm so gunshy anymore, that I have lighters and waterproof matches and the metal match thingies stashed all over in my gear. I always have my little belt pouch survival kit on me when I go out of sight of the road. A little more elaborate kit always stays in the toolbox of the truck.

I agree about making a fire well before you need it! A fire's useful for a lot of things besides getting warm.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

I'm so gunshy anymore, that I have lighters and waterproof matches and the metal match thingies stashed all over in my gear. I always have my little belt pouch survival kit on me when I go out of sight of the road. A little more elaborate kit always stays in the toolbox of the truck.

I have a fero rod on my key chain and a disposable lighter in the same pocket. My backpack that I carry hiking as a bunch of strike anywhere matches (in plastic) with some normal drier lint and some drier lint soaked in candle wax (in a plastic back), then both of those are in another plastic bag.

If I need fire, I really, really want that to happen. I don't think it's at all unreasonable to plan ahead.

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

I agree about making a fire well before you need it! A fire's useful for a lot of things besides getting warm.

Oh, I agree. When I arrive at a camp site in the middle of the day, first I set up my tent. Then I start prepping for the fire. The moment it starts to get dim, I get the fire going. Typically that's when I start prepping to make dinner. By the time it's actually dark, I've generally eaten dinner and I'm ready to sit back and socialize with my camping partners.

This would be doubly the case if I were lost in the woods seeking rescue. I'd have a fire going all day and all night, ready to toss in tons of green branches to make a lot of smoke if a chopper or plane went by.

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

I'm so gunshy anymore, that I have lighters and waterproof matches and the metal match thingies stashed all over in my gear. I always have my little belt pouch survival kit on me when I go out of sight of the road. A little more elaborate kit always stays in the toolbox of the truck.

I agree about making a fire well before you need it! A fire's useful for a lot of things besides getting warm.

I too have several methods for making fire. I'm all for being prepared. But if in chance I do loose my pack and it ends up down stream somewhere. I'd like to know about other options. I always have a knife on me, there's a survival kit attached to it with the shear basics for fire starting. My worst case scenario would be getting chucked out of a cruise ship during some Poseidon roll over while I'm in the shower. Only to find myself washed up on shore somewhere with a bar of soap and a wash rag in my hands!