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Basic Life Skills: Fire Starting

03/1/2012 @ 2:33pm

Readers add that building a fire is a basic survival skill, too, noting that a surprising number of people don’t know where to begin.  One likes this kit from Zippo.  I was lucky enough to get this more ancient flint & steel tinder box kit for last Christmas.  Thanks, readers.

Flint and steel tinder box for handling Great Zombie Invasion in style

 

  • Doktorinferno

    Using your least-favorite cookware melt some petroleum jelly at low heat on the stove.  Throw in a handful of cotton balls. (Make sure that they ARE cotton! Many “cosmetic puffs” are not.) When all of the melted petroleum jelly is absorbed, stuff your new fire starters into either a small ziplock bag or a film canister.
    Simply pull the cotton ball apart a little to expose dry cotton inside. These will light will light with a simple spark, a lighter, a match, a magnifying lens (put a piece of dark-colored “grit” in it to focus on), etc. They burn for 5-6 minutes, are very water resistant and dirt cheap!
    For years, these and a simple Boy Scout Hot Spark have been my fire starting tool of choice.
    Please give these a try!

  • Brooks

    You don’t even need to melt the petrol jelly. Just glob the cotton balls in it and put them in a water-tight vial. Keep another one with some matches in it (preferably waterproof) in your day pack, Camelbak or whatever and you are ready to stay warm and dry even in the windiest of days