Primary FireStarting Tools
Is it cool to know how to make fire using a hand drill or fire bow? Yes, and
these are skills that dedicated outdoors people should know. But survival
is not about proving that you’re some kind of earthskills guru; it’s about
dedicating your energies to getting home safely or getting rescued. That’s
why, for making fire, nothing compares with a lighter, some solid strike
anywhere matches, a flint striker, or a fire piston. Even with those items,
building a fire can be a challenge; without those, all bets are off.
Butane Lighter
Nothing compares with a good ’ol butane lighter for starting a fire. As
simple as it may be to make a fire this way, however, there are still a few
considerations.
First of all, make sure that whatever lighter you have is in good work
ing order, and either waterproof or in a waterproof container. If you fall in
the lake or river with a traditional lighter in your pocket, it won’t function
when you come out. I prefer a fluorescent orange one. Ugly, I know, but
a lot easier to find in a pile of dried leaves than that cool camouflage one
from the outdoors store.
My favorite kinds are the butane lighters that act like little torches
and can’t be extinguished by a gust of wind or a few drops of rain, as can
traditional lighters with other types of fuel. These butane lighters shoot
out a hot jet of blue flame that stands up to the toughest conditions. Note
that over time, lighter fluid will evaporate, and all lighters have a finite life
span: make sure yours has plenty of fuel and use it only when you abso
lutely have to. You never know how long you’re going to need it!
Matches
Matches have been starting fires successfully for a long time, so they should
be at least one component of your firemaking strategy. My preference is
the solid, strikeanywhere type found in any local hardware store; make sure
you store them in a watertight container. Even though these matches do,
essentially, strike anywhere, provide yourself with a backup by tearing the
striker edge off the side of the box and including it in the container with
your matches.
(^114) | Survive!