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Category: Ecological sustainability articles
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Ever tried starting a fire by rubbing two sticks together? It's not easy. Take it one step further and assume a more realistic survival situation, where you are cold, possibly wet, and shivering. Now try rubbing those sticks together. Trust me when I tell you it's no easy feat in this condition. When you need to get a fire going quickly, it's a good idea to have a reliable fire starter handy.
The question is, what are acceptable and reliable fire starters to take outdoors? Some seem obvious, but often some of the obvious ones can give real problems under certain conditions.
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Matches are a popular choice. However, only the wood stem matches and not the paper matches should be used. Most people have had to deal with damp matches at some time. Even slightly damp matches can be tough to light. The solution to this, is to get waterproof matches or to make you own by coating them in wax. The was also them serves as a fuel to enhance the burning once lit. Even with waterproof matches, it is advisable to store the matches in a waterproof container at all times. Matches stored properly can last a long time.
Many people, these days, carry a BIC style cigarette lighter as part of their survival pack, as they are cheap, light, easy to use and usually reliable. You can also start a number of fires from one lighter. One of the common issues with lighters is that the gas can leak over time. A lighter left untested in a survival pack could turn up dry as a bone when you need it most. The gas release lever may also get accidentally pressed while stored, thereby releasing all the gas. If you check the lighter regularly they certainly can be a great primary fire starter. One advantage of a lighter over other methods, is that it can be operated with one hand. Note: The long nozzle lighters do not work when wet or in windy conditions.
An empty lighter can also be useful if it can still deliver a spark. If you are in a desperate situation, and have some other fuel available, the spark from the empty lighter can be just what you need to get the fire going. It's not easy, and should not be regarded as a primary source.
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There is one kind of fire starter that I always keep with me on any trip, usually as a backup source. That is the magnesium/flint block. These small, lightweight blocks have an artificial flint on one side that you can strike with the back of a knife to create a shower of hot sparks. You simply scrape some shavings off the magnesium block to act as tinder, and then strike the flint to ignite it. It takes a little practice to start a fire with this tool but once you master it, it can be very reliable. The magnesium shavings are light and can blow away in the wind, but other tinder can also be used. These magnesium/flint blocks don't get wet, run out, or perform poorly in cold weather. They are very reliable backups for getting your fire going.
Many autos these days have flares in the trunk. If you find yourself stranded in an automobile and need to get a fire going, presumably for warmth, a flare is a tremendous fire starter. It burns very hot with a strong flame and for a long time. You should be able to get a fire going pretty quickly with a flare.
It is always a good idea to carry at least two kinds of fire starter with you. Just when you thought things can't get worse your primary fire starter will fail on you. That's when you're going to be glad you have a backup. Before you next head outdoors, try start a fire with two sticks in the back yard. You will quickly develop an understanding as to why you need to carry reliable fire starters !
Be safe outdoors!
About The Author
Graham Armitage, is founder of the family outdoor website, Georec. The site allows anyone to discover new outdoor places and invites you to review and comment on outdoor locations. To access all the free hiking, fishing, paddling and other information available, or to add your own content, visit http://www.georec.com
Copyright 2006 - georec.com. All Rights reserved WorldWide. Reprint rights - you may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, and do not edit the article in any way, and give credit to the author.
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