Antibiotic ointment works as a fire starter

backpacker · Apr 14, 2001

Same principle as Vasiline and cotton balls, but, not as messy. The little packs of antibiotic ointment can be thrown in your mini kit seperate from the cotton balls until you are ready to use them.

Its a two in one deal, they double for a fire starter and first aid item.

They burn almost as well as just using Vasiline and cotton balls.

Try it!

coyotlviejo · Apr 16, 2001

Good tip, Backpacker - especially for those of us who prefer to travel lightly. Do you use a specific brand, or will most any ointment do?

Also, maybe there's an ointment in a small tube that could be used - it would mean less packaging and more control over amounts used for either application.

backpacker · Apr 16, 2001

Any type will work as long as it is the clear petrolium jelly looking stuff.

HM · Apr 16, 2001

Thanks Backpacker, great idea. That is a double hit.
I would add another item that is quite common and has enough petroleum jelly to help to start a fire: Chapsticks.

HM

Leef · Apr 17, 2001

Great tip! I'm afraid to ask how this use was discovered. I can see myself now using my metal match to start a fire when all of a sudden the ointment on my cut finger catches fire........

Charlie Fox · Apr 17, 2001

Just tried it, it works GREAT! I have access to a lot of these little packets and have been wondering how to carry firestarters...SCORE!!!! Thanks for the tip

rnpollard · Apr 18, 2001

I've been carrying the small tubes of Vaseline that are marketed for chapped lips. Multiple uses, first aid, lubrication, fire starting. Small hole in tube allows for good control.

The small antibiotic packs are an awesome tip as well.

Thanks,

Rick

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Hoah! (Its an Army thing!)

m · May 1, 2001

I tried to ignite some ointment I've had for a while (though not out of date) and it wouldn't light then I reread your post and I noticed you used it to soak cotton balls, not as a fire starter in itself.I was hoping it was going to be a multi-use fire paste of sorts.

Griffon · May 1, 2001

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by backpacker:
Same principle as Vasiline and cotton balls, but, not as messy.</font>

But, I guess, practically only Americans are likely to have them? Anyone else reading this even know what's referred to?

Evolute · May 1, 2001

Griffon,

Vaseline is just a brand name for petroleum jelly.

HM · May 2, 2001

I understand Griffons confusion, and Evolute is right. It is somewhat like the Xerox brand name that can also mean the actual copy.
Because the meaning of Vaseline is not necessarily widely known and sounds almost like a name (like Valentine) even a joke evolved in my native country, Hungary.
It goes somehow like this:

"Hunter sees a huge male bear and shoots at it but misses and wastes all his bullets. Bear turns around, charges hunter, takes his gun and breaks it into two. Hunter ,in shivering, begs for his life. Then the huge bear says:
- You have two choices, I either kill you or have sex with you.
The hunter sweating in pain chooses the latter one. The bear:
- Ok, but we are left with only one question: with or without Vaseline?
Hunter:
- WITH Vaseline please, please!!!
So bear turns around and shouts into the bushes:
- All right Vaseline, you can come too!"

Sorry if it is a bit slippery but made me laugh badly when I heard it.
Gotta go, have a good day everyone!

HM

muzzleup · May 2, 2001

Tried NeoSporin and a cotton ball. It works great and this is one of the best creams I have used for quick healing too. This kills 2 stones with 1 bird

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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington