View Full Version : How can you make fire in an emergency
Tourist
12 July 2010, 18:02
Lets open up fieldcraft a tad.
Emergency fire making, aside from the SAR method of a gallon of petrol and a flare. The scene: You are out in the Ulu. You have dropped off your ruck for a CTR. You are carrying belt kit, a weapon and the clothing you are in. During the CTR your team is pinged and you need to bug out getting seperated from your team.
A day later, no more bad guys but you are on your own awaiting an extraction: With what you have on you how can you make fire?
I'll kick off.
I have replaced the cords in my smock with 6mm kernmantel and could use them to make a fire bow. Or, use a Bic that has a couple of elastic bands around it that can be used as tinder.
sniperted
12 July 2010, 18:29
Dryer lint (a handful in a ziplock is always in the kit) a flint rod and a couple punks of pine heartwood....works like magic and weaghs in at about 6-8 ounces. It'l get you started.
B 2/75
12 July 2010, 18:32
A firebow is great, but you've GOT to have some appropriate dry hardwood to make the drill spindle, hand cup, and anvil with.
try making one of pine or some other soft wood, and you'll melt your 6mm kernmantle before you get there...
Tourist
12 July 2010, 20:33
I know, I use pine or fresh cut oak when first teaching people the bowing technique. It's a tad mean and nasty but it makes them work at the technique ...... and if they get it right it does give smoke.
I use 6mm kernmantel because it lasts much, much longer than the old favourite of paracord.
sniperted
12 July 2010, 21:40
Goes without sayin', gotta have a "Necessities pouch" on the web belt; fire starter kit, signal device, hooks, needle, line, couple energy bars perhaps etc, etc......small enough to be on your person at all tiimes, dry and ready in a fix.
Tourist
12 July 2010, 22:01
The mountain men used to call it a Possible's Pouch.
Tourist
12 July 2010, 22:01
The mountain men used to call it a Possible's Pouch.
According to something I read.
The91Bravo
12 July 2010, 22:32
I have the answer...
Move to Detroit.
(lookin for some crossthread love)
Notahappyguy100
12 July 2010, 22:43
I have the answer...
Move to Detroit.
(lookin for some crossthread love)
Damn, beat me to it!
The91Bravo
12 July 2010, 22:49
That's Right... whose the man???
rgrdrew
13 July 2010, 12:20
I used to carry a zip-loc bag with some plain, fine grade steel wool in it. A 9-volt battery from the firefly lights we carried will spark it off and smolder long enough to get some tinder going.
Anyone ever tried THIS TECHNIQUE (http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/cokeandchocolatebar/)? I have NOT. I'm just curious as to if it works....
CarbineM1
13 July 2010, 13:21
Fine steel wool, a magnesium stick, add any knife blade. Never fails. Used many times a bit back when the zippo fluid ran out.
Tourist
13 July 2010, 13:43
Anyone ever tried THIS TECHNIQUE (http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/cokeandchocolatebar/)? I have NOT. I'm just curious as to if it works....
It does, seen it demo'ed. You need a very friendly tinder though. Never tried it though as I don't carry cans out in the Ulu with me.
Making a lens out of ice and concentrating sunlight also works. Not practical though, it takes too long and expends more calories than you would recoup. Also needs a very friendly tinder.
Filling a [new] condom with water and holding it so that it configures like a lens to concentrate sunlight onto tinder also works.
One taught by Mors Kochanski. A carbon steel knife can be used along with a flint, or other sharp striking object, to creates sparks with which to light tinder - the best is charcloth or slightly ground charcol from an old camp fire. Use the back edge of the knife on the sharp striking surface to create sparks not the sharp edge, I have destroyed a couple of Frost Mora's practicing this previously.
cromagking
13 July 2010, 22:18
Fire with compressed air:
http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/firepiston/rb2/index.html
The91Bravo
13 July 2010, 22:28
Fire with compressed air:
http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/firepiston/rb2/index.html
If you buy one of those, you better keep the video handy, like on your cell phone. Because if I were to make a traffic stop, and I saw that.. .you're gettin locked up... and I am not gonna believe no hippie 'It's a Fire Starter Thingie....." bullshit :biggrin::biggrin:
I would reply.. BULLSHIT ya Jack Wagon!! put your hands behind your back.. LOL :biggrin::tongue:
Check this (http://www.a-finlay-primitive-crafts.co.uk/bushcraft_products.html) out dude
Lannister
14 July 2010, 03:29
How can you make fire in an emergency...???
Go to Costco or Sam's Club and purchase a "brick" of disposable lighters.
Now distribute them throughout your kit...
(a few in the bottom of Ammo pouches and camel-bak, butt-pack, ruck, IFAK, bug-out bag, plate carrier pocket, etc...)
You will always be able to make fire... ;)
Chowdah
15 July 2010, 18:55
A single ferrocerium rod (ex: http://firesteel.com/products/FireSteel-Ranger.html at 0.25" x 3" and just 15 grams) is an amazing firestarting tool.
And with the previously-mentioned Frost's Mora (ex: http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=1) for striking and a vaseline-impregnated cotton ball for tinder (fluff out before using to better catch the sparks), you can't get much lighter.
Best of all, you can get all of the above (including the knife) for less than $20.
HKUSP45
15 July 2010, 21:31
Anyone ever tried THIS TECHNIQUE (http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/cokeandchocolatebar/)? I have NOT. I'm just curious as to if it works....
I think I'm going to try it this Saturday. I'll let you know how it works.
I used the "strike my carbon steel knife on a rock to make a spark" method in Malaysia during a training exchange. Worked like a charm. I hace several "metal match" magnesium kits that work fine, and I usually carry 2-3 lighters in my gear.
HK
alelks
15 July 2010, 23:05
Instead of a bow you can use Kevlar shoelaces to create the friction on a small hollowed out piece of wood with tender on it (works the same way as the bow method but much faster and easier). The Kevlar won't burn easily and will create a lot of heat when drawn back and forth in a sawing motion across the hollowed out wood. Best thing is if you replace your shoelaces with it your fire starting tool is always with you.
X18BSOCAL
11 August 2010, 00:49
Small thin strands of copper or steel wire and a penlight battery. Both are very small and don't weigh very much.
A pure cotton ball (not polyester) pulled apart to about the size of a baseball and a spark.
A good old fashioned magnifying glass.
Pure cotton underclothing or socks work good as a fire starter once they're lit.
If I remember correctly, hydrochloric acid from a car battery mixed with gasoline will start combustion.
When all else fails call in some TAC AIR with nalpalm. :biggrin:
RetPara
11 August 2010, 10:04
a. Rub Wife and Girlfriend together - resulting self generated heat from fleeing both of them attempting to cause you physical harm.
b. Pinch a small amount of C4 off your claymore (about the size of two pencil erasers) or keep a little in an ear plug carrying case with water proof matches. Use on match with the C4... fire will start.
c. "Specialist - got start a small fire for warming."
sniperted
11 August 2010, 20:39
a. Rub Wife and Girlfriend together - resulting self generated heat from fleeing both of them attempting to cause you physical harm.
b. Pinch a small amount of C4 off your claymore (about the size of two pencil erasers) or keep a little in an ear plug carrying case with water proof matches. Use on match with the C4... fire will start.
c. "Specialist - got start a small fire for warming."
When using method b. DO NOT smack, stomp, whack or otherise strike the C4 to put it out..........You may end up with a nub.
Amarillo
12 August 2010, 02:03
If I am all out of pool chlorine and brake fluid, I'd use crushed iodine crystals (water purif) plus powdered aluminum...
just add water.
Q: What do you use to put it out?:biggrin:
Virgil Tibbs
12 August 2010, 03:17
Goes without sayin', gotta have a "Necessities pouch" on the web belt; fire starter kit, signal device, hooks, needle, line, couple energy bars perhaps etc, etc......small enough to be on your person at all tiimes, dry and ready in a fix.
I remember when that was called an E&E kit. :biggrin:
Go to Costco or Sam's Club and purchase a "brick" of disposable lighters.
Now distribute them throughout your kit...
(a few in the bottom of Ammo pouches and camel-bak, butt-pack, ruck, IFAK, bug-out bag, plate carrier pocket, etc...)
You will always be able to make fire... ;)Stay safe.
RGR.Montcalm
14 August 2010, 21:21
Goes without sayin', gotta have a "Necessities pouch" on the web belt; fire starter kit, signal device, hooks, needle, line, couple energy bars perhaps etc, etc......small enough to be on your person at all tiimes, dry and ready in a fix.
Always carried a survival kit in my breat pocket, another in a cargo pocket, my web gear was the next level and my ruck the third. This system was preached by LTC Rowe when he taught the SERE course.
I learned it from people who attended SERE and modified the 'packing list' to the environment I expected to be deployed in...
Once used the infared mirror from the tail section of an expended TOW missile found at 29 Palms to start a fire...
sniperted
15 August 2010, 00:40
Once used the infared mirror from the tail section of an expended TOW missile found at 29 Palms to start a fire...[/QUOTE]
Thats "Field Expediency"!
Spot on!
SOTB
15 August 2010, 00:52
Always carried a survival kit in my breat pocket, another in a cargo pocket, my web gear was the next level and my ruck the third. This system was preached by LTC Rowe when he taught the SERE course....I was taught at RIP (Aug 81) to stage your E&E gear. I never cared for anything in my cargo pockets except my cover and map, so my E&E kit was always -- has always been -- in a pocket on my blouse. Of preference, if there is one, a bottom pocket.
FWIW, I've found myself in a few situations where I purposely, consciously ditched all of my gear -- ruck and LBE -- and found myself with just my clothing. So the concept has proven sound for me....
Ranger1
15 August 2010, 01:33
You can take just about any round household battery and a paperclip or hard wire and make fire.
Pry the bottom off just enough to slide the end of the staightened paper clip/wire between the inner guts of the battery and the cardboard lining. You'll see a spark. Bend the other end of the paper clip/wire around so it touches the bottom of the battery (completing your circuit). Will look like a U at the bottom of the battery.
The paperclip/wire will get hot enough (and fast so dont burn yourself) to cause a spark on really fine and dry tinder (paper, dry grass, cotton pulled out of a field dressing, etc).
It could also go pop if you hold the circuit together for too long, so keep it away from your face and wear gloves. But it's pretty handy because AAAs and AAs are in most of our high speed kit we'd be taking with us when the Zombies come (GPS, Mini Maglites, etc). You'll go through a couple batteries before you get it right. Burns out a battery in about 30-45 seconds just like the 9v/Steel wool trick.
Here's a video of a guy doing it with a staple.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1037835/survive_fire_from_a_battery_and_staple/
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