Survival FAIL, dinner WIN!

[Lynn LeFey]

So, we have had a bunch of deadfall branches building up lately, and the City won't take them, and don't supply pick-up days for such things. Fire regulations require that if you burn yard waste, it must be done in a container. So, I suggested to hubby last night that I could use them in our grill. It's just a little black Weber Smokey Joe.

Today, I decided I'd take my Altoids Survival Kit out back, to see if I could get the fire started with just what was in it. That'd be a little ferro rod and a Bic Lighter. I figured 'no problem'.

Made my pile of shavings, had my tinder ready, and... nothing. Couldn't get a flame from the ferro rod. Okay... looking at the clock, I have an hour to build a bed of coals for dinner. Try, try... nothing. Fine. I light up a strip of bark with the Bic, and... nothing. Are you kidding me? I couldn't get the tinder to catch, or the pieces that did burned out before I could get anything ELSE to catch.

Right! Off to the bathroom to get a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Ha! That'll show... nope. Even with THAT, I couldn't get it going.

MOTHER... SMURFER!!

Step this smurf UP! I got a tea candle. And... with extraordinary diligence, patience, and lots of effort... fire.

The only thing I can figure is that it was all either a bit green, or recent rainfall made it just damp enough to not want to light. I consider myself pretty darn good at fire making. Not Commando Survival Ninja Bad-A$$ or anything, but light years ahead of the average. It was a major Survival Skill FAIL.

 

On to the GOOD news.

After the bed of coals was ready, I threw on some cheap hot dogs, and veggies wrapped in aluminum foil. The veggies were potatoes, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and diced butternut squash. I tossed them in butter and curry spices before wrapping them up, and they turned out FANTASTIC.

So... Dinner WIN.
 

[ducttapetech]

Wow! Couldn't get a fire with a ferro rod? Weird. On a plus side, good dinner cooked with fire. Oh yeah!

Nate

[pfrsantos]

Wow! Couldn't get a fire with a ferro rod? Weird. On a plus side, good dinner cooked with fire. Oh yeah!

Nate

+1

[Toolslinger]

Maybe consider adding a flamethrower to your emergency kit, 'just in case'...

On a serious note: I consider myself very proficient with making fire but do occasionally find conditions that can be challenging. Looks like dinner was delicious despite (or because of) the trouble getting the fire lit.

[Taxi Dad]

firstly dinner did sound nice 
(having read the menu I'm now really hungry)

I've been thinking a lot about 'firelighting' lately, although I never see the likelihood of me ever going far enough away from my couch to get myself into the position where lighting a fire becomes life or death.
BUT I do think if you watch enough 'survival based' programs on Descovery channel it is easy to get complacent in the thought that starting a blaze is just a matter of getting a spark or 'ember'.
I'm currently working on a 'firelighting kit' & an EDC simple, sure fire. (or fireS  how many is enough  )
is it better in a 'survival' situation to have one guaranteed fire then keep it going, or the ability to light many fires just in case

*"currently working on" could also read ~ "thinking about from the comfort of my laptop" 

[David]

At least dinner was good! That the main thing.   

[Lichtbote]

is it better in a 'survival' situation to have one guaranteed fire then keep it going, or the ability to light many fires just in case

That depends on the situation - if you are staying on one place and waiting for help, or if you are moving from point a to point b. 

[ducttapetech]

Biggest thing about fire skills is, practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Knowing and being able to do it are two different animals.

Nate

[Taxi Dad]

I'm of the thought, for my needs anyway, that a couple of GOOD fires starts is all I would need. I'm not going to be moving (much) and this is *just in case* stuff (for me at least) so I want something really compact yet bullet proof.

[AimlessWanderer]

Biggest thing about fire skills is, practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Knowing and being able to do it are two different animals.

Nate

Absolutely! 

[Lichtbote]

Additional it´s a question if you want to be able to light a fire oldschool, with what you find - or if you´re fine with using stuff you carry along.

I like solid fuel tabs. No need for me to feel like a mountain man, when i can have todays comfort.

[Taxi Dad]

I like solid fuel tabs. No need for me to feel like a mountain man, when i can have todays comfort.

wise words !

I have stumbled across a website selling 'bow drill kits' ! ready made ! why oh why would anyone want one ? surely nobody would pack these in a rucksack and take them into the woods ? 

[Toolslinger]

I like solid fuel tabs. No need for me to feel like a mountain man, when i can have todays comfort.

wise words !

I have stumbled across a website selling 'bow drill kits' ! ready made ! why oh why would anyone want one ? surely nobody would pack these in a rucksack and take them into the woods ? 

That's messed up.

If you're going to use one, you make it yourself. Part of the concept of owning a skill. Plus, if you rely on that as your only fire-starting method, you're in trouble if the conditions exceed your skill level.

[AimlessWanderer]

These days my kits tend to have a butane lighter in them. Yes, it's true these are not infallible - however they are simple and work most of the time. I don't have a problem carrying a firesteel along with it, but if I do find myself need a fire - even if it's just on the end of a cigarette  it would be the butane lighter I'd reach for first

[AimlessWanderer]

Oh ... and alcohol based hand sanitiser is a nice handy pocket accelerant fire firelighting too 

[Taxi Dad]

I always felt I was 'fire prepared' when I was a smoker ........
now I have to 'think' about carrying a lighter as part of my EDC

[ducttapetech]

One thing about learning how to making fire old skool is that it teaches you how to process all kinda of tinder. Like a birds nest made of cedar bark, then and a modern ignition like a ferro rod and it becomes easier in harder conditions. Add if you happen to lose the modern stuff, well you can make fire the old way.

Nate