Proper Fire Starting Methods

[2ndAmend]

Great comments guys. I think you touched on some great ideas here. I watch the survival shows on tv they do some very unconventional methods of fire starting that may date back to early settler times. A shoestring tied to a stick made like a bow is one, spinning a stick with a sharp end into a hole in a block of dry wood until friction gets hot enough to make a hot coal or spark then dropping it into some fine dry tinder that will work if you have nothing else. This is also mentioned in the Army Field Manual. Fire is a friend when you are lost and all alone in the wilderness or behind enemy lines. Beware smoke will give away your position in daylight to an enemy but good for search and rescue groups. I once watched a documentary on someone lost who set the whole forest on fire hoping to draw in help but it backfired and he almost did not escape with his life. Survival takes a will to live more than anything. Be ready to give up all the comforts you enjoy and keep a mindset on staying alive it could be worse if captured by the enemy, or just giving up.

[AK_survivaljunkie]

Great comments guys. I think you touched on some great ideas here. I watch the survival shows on tv they do some very unconventional methods of fire starting that may date back to early settler times. A shoestring tied to a stick made like a bow is one, spinning a stick with a sharp end into a hole in a block of dry wood until friction gets hot enough to make a hot coal or spark then dropping it into some fine dry tinder that will work if you have nothing else.

I have also seen a methods on Man vs Wild where he just pushed the stick back and forth in his hands building friction. The major issue with either of these methods is primarily the energy expended when you will undoubtedly already have food issues. The second problem is blisters or other injury, this is the last place you want an infected cut or blister. I think most people carry some form of firestarter with them even when not in the wilderness. I myself tend to at least carry a cigarette lighter even though I don't smoke. I just can't see any benefit to these methods unless it's a last resort.