Fire cheating

[dawsonbob]

This is just my thought, so take it for what it's worth. It seems to me that there is a basic difference between those of us who practice and prepare for the situation that we hope never happens, and those who don't.

When a survival situation arises most people get all shaken up, because they have no idea what to expect, nor how to cope with it. Many of us, on the other hand, simply say "cool! A chance to practice what I've been training for," and go about taking control of the situation.

This is just a disparity in attitude: it's mental. One person has never really given much thought to the subject, is unprepared, and doesn't know what to do. They may fall apart and die surrounded by everything they need to keep themselves alive. The other person knows how to build a fire using whatever methods are available, and how to make traps, or whatever else is required, can keep a good outlook, and is more likely to survive.

While the person who has practiced primitive fire starting may (and probably should) opt for a lighter rather than a bow drill, he's been giving it some thought, and training himself, and is the more likely to survive.

So, while a lot of us practice various fire starting and woodland skills, we know enough to use the most efficient method if it ever actually comes down to a life or death situation. We're prepared because we train and think about survival.

I have fun with primitive methods, but I wouldn't hesitate to flick my Bic when my butt is on the line.

 

[OwenM]

When a survival situation arises most people get all shaken up, because they have no idea what to expect, nor how to cope with it. Many of us, on the other hand, simply say "cool! A chance to practice what I've been training for," and go about taking control of the situation.

This is just a disparity in attitude: it's mental.

That's "mental", all right. Anyone who thinks like that has no concept of a situation where their life hangs in the balance, and shouldn't be getting too cocky about how they think they'll cope with it.
If you resort to survival skills out of necessity, it will also be out of desperation, and in a situation beyond your control where your choices have been taken from you. That's what survival is. There won't be anything fun or "cool" about it.

 

[dawsonbob]

That's "mental", all right. Anyone who thinks like that has no concept of a situation where their life hangs in the balance, and shouldn't be getting too cocky about how they think they'll cope with it.
If you resort to survival skills out of necessity, it will also be out of desperation, and in a situation beyond your control where your choices have been taken from you. That's what survival is. There won't be anything fun or "cool" about it.

Been there, done that, got the shirt. I do know what survival is, thank you. There was nothing "cocky" about my post at all (maybe you read it wrong). I merely meant to point out that those of us who prepare are more likely to keep a clear head — having some idea of what to expect — than someone who has never devoted the time to learning what to do. I meant to express an attitude, not to say that a life or death situation would be fun.

And yes, before you ask, I have been in life or death situations more than once.

 

[OwenM]

Got it.

(maybe you read it wrong)

I'm quite capable of doing that!

 

[dawsonbob]

Got it.

I'm quite capable of doing that!

I've done it myself a time or three.

 

[hushnel]

There was a guy on a thread in the guitar player forum, I spend too much time at, that was flabbergasted that kids trying to light a fire in his fire pit couldn't do it. They had lighters but had no clue to the understanding of fire building. We have built so many fires through out all our lives that it seems incredible that this could be true but I don't doubt that it's true.

Practicing with flint and steels, ferro rods, magnesium, bic lighters, bow and drill and other stuff is akin to a hobby/skill practice but as we do it we learn something new about fire and this knowledge could be important along with confidence thus gained in a survival situation.

When I was young the trick was to start a fire with a single match, I have come a long way from then, but this technique of the one match fire really kicked in the understanding and need for preparation.

 

[DWK2]

Agreed: I was taught (and I tell younger people) that it's like painting---about 80% of your success will come from good preparation.

DancesWithKnives

 

[dawsonbob]

I agree, hushnel. It's surprising how many people (including adults) don't know how to build a proper fire.

I like to use the analogy of building a house: first the foundation (tinder), then the frame (kindling), only after you have those things do you put on the walls and roof (bigger stuff). If you try to put on the walls and roof first, you're doomed to failure.

 

[RonSC]

NOTHING is cheating when your life is on the line. I tend to be a purist when it comes to some things..like fly fishing. But in a real-life survival situation I'd be making no appologies... I'd be digging for worms or crickets...! Alternative primitive methods are great but finding (and constructing) suitable (read dry) materials for a bow drill in wet , snowy conditions is "dicey" at best and even the most proficient person would be challenged. Add to that the fact that in a have-to situation you may be facing hypothermia so building a fire quickly (while expending the fewest calories) is paramount. I'll be flicking my bic or using a ferro kit and pre-prepped cotton balls thank you very much.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

When I was young the trick was to start a fire with a single match, I have come a long way from then, but this technique of the one match fire really kicked in the understanding and need for preparation.

That makes a lot of sense - to start a fire from only 1 match you would have to gain at least a basic understanding of how to sort out your tinder => kindling => small firewood => larger firewood.

It really doesn't seem all that complicated to me, but I suppose for some kids that have never lit a fire in their lives they might have trouble getting a fire going with no instruction.

 

[Bushman5]

I'll be as cocky as I want in a survival situation. Its that arrogant cockyness that allows me to pull thru a situation. I like taking risks, I like putting myself into situations and I like being a cocky ******* while dealing with said situations. Yes i also think survival situations are cool, for it is only when you need to go bal** to the wall to stay alive, that you are really living. Everything else is just mundane boring routine existence.

yes i have been in survival situations here in BC's wilderness.

 

[Don Rearic]

When I was young the trick was to start a fire with a single match, I have come a long way from then, but this technique of the one match fire really kicked in the understanding and need for preparation.

That's how my Dad taught me. I then quickly unlearned this after he died and was a hardhead for a couple of years.

The older I got, the smarter, even in death, he became.