Fire - when it counts

mapper66

mapper66

Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
1,169
The cold temps here had me pondering a situation I could find myself in:

Time: 4:00 PM

Temps: Right now, 25° F. Tonight, 5° F with -10 to -15 F wind chill.

Location: 6 miles by trail into a popular outdoor recreation area. No other people around and no cell phone service.

Clothing: Wool cap - Wool gloves - Wool socks - running shoes - heavy running tights -wind briefs - polyester base shirt - light wool shirt - light windbreaker.

Equipment: Cell phone - bic lighter - small tin of vaseline soaked cotton balls - head lamp w/AA Battery - Ritter Grip.

Situation: If you haven't guessed, this is running or maybe mtn biking. I've fallen and injured an arm and leg to the extent I have use of only one hand and getting out is not an option. Wife will call for help in an hour or two, but I was stupid and didn't leave a route, might be an all-nighter.

The clothing I have on keeps me toasty warm while moving. If I stop, and especially if injured, hypothermia will set in quickly.

I know we could discuss more/heavier clothing, leaving a route with my wife or at the car, but I'd really like to just talk about the fire aspect of it.

There is no option but a fire, and I have to do it one handed, and maybe wet. Whats the best way? As indicated, I've got a Bic lighter and vaseline soaked cotton balls. Is this good enough, or can I do better? What is the best, no BS way you guys have found to ignite a fire? It's got to be small enough to carry running, work one-handed and wet, and be legal. ;) Other than that, it's all fair game.

Thanks guys!
 
I've thought about this same thing. When I run, I do so close to home, but even an hour dressed in a dampish thin layer is gonna kill you. If you're willing to carry a small fanny pack your options increase greatly. An emergency "space blacket" is the size of a wallet and weighs maybe 3 oz. A candle would be useful too. Hunker down out of the wind, wrap the blanket around you, and hold a candle under it all (being careful not to catch things on fire.) I'd also carry a road flare. If you can find wood, a road flare will get it going. With a space blanket and a fire, you should be able to hold out until rescued. I don't think these few things should interfere with running or biking, and you could probably add a few more.
 
I think your ok, but I would consider adding a lil char cloth. Just incase your lighter ran out of fluid, you can catch the spark with the char cloth. Doesn't way anything.
 
:::hunkering shoulders like a vulture:::chin into Adam's apple::: I mean, you can put a Mini-Bic, ferror rod, flat saw blade striker, Spark-Lite and a small cut off and rubber-banded ziplock bag full of PJ-soaked cottonballs and #0000 steel wool 50/50 mix in a regular sized Altoids tin or Sucrets tin secured by a ranger band and if you can't get a fire going with all of that...in that small little box...DOOM ON YOU. :D
 
Matches reign supreme in colder temperatures, as an aside you are able to just stick them right into your fire tipi/bundle/fuzz-stick-mound/etc.

Firesteels/Mag-bars could be a pain in the ass to have to look for suitable tinder though (especially if you're not very experienced using them and finding natural tinder!), but since you're bringing PCBs they would work well.

I like to start my fires with a few seconds worth of fuzz-sticks and under-pencil-thick dead and dry on-tree branches (did that make sense? lol) :D

Oh, a ~7' length of rope is great for collecting lots of firewood.

I like the lumbar-pack idea too.
 
char cloth is a plus as Tony mentioned... with the pj cotton a ferro can work one handed and if you have good tinder (which you do) it is a great back up fire method..the ferro will work when wet and never runs out of gas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0bU0F0hKdI&feature=channel_page


I've tried it it works great and if you really dig in you van get a great shower of sparks..sourse wth the ritter grip you might have to use the edge to spark it.
 
You mention having to light the fire one-handed so you should be fine with the bic and PJCB's ... other options are the Spark-Lite or BlastMatch firestarters which can both be used with one hand.
 
OK, great replies guys...

So:

Tinder:

PJCB's.
Zip brand Firestarters (Pit, do these go buy a diff brand name in US)?
Char cloth
Steel Wool
Baileys

Ignition source:

Matches
Bic lighters
Spark Light
Blast Match

Ferro and steel (See I was going to say don't even bother talking about this, then Rescue goes and posts that excellent looking one-handed method. I am trying this tonight. Knowledge, get you some!)

Any more discussion on the bic and matches? The thread about the helios lighter made me wonder if there is something better out there. So, any specifics on best matches and lighter??

By the way, I will be trying all of these techniques to find out what works best for me. So far I have all this stuff except the Zip firestarters and Baileys.

Keep it coming guys. Tinder and ignition sources.

Is the small heat sheet idea worth the space? Maybe as a reflector?
 
Mapper I actuall find it easier to light my tinder that way.. the striker being stationary allows you to really yank on the ferro and it puts a shower of sparks directly on to the tinder... trust me yanking is something I know...wait a minute....

hard to beat jute twine..for catching a spark.... supposedly that mya dust stuff works but I've never tried it...
 
Tinder: you gotta love fatwood or fatwood scrapings - takes a spark like nobody's business
 
RescueRiley said:
I've tried it it works great and if you really dig in you van get a great shower of sparks..sourse wth the ritter grip you might have to use the edge to spark it.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'll switch back to the O1 Gossman PSK, it will fit in the small pouch I run with.
 
I use a bic lighter in my kits because thier cheap... I was just reading Les Stroud's book, and he seems to prefer the butane lighters as they shoot a really difinitive burst of flame..those trick b-day candles are a good addition as well you can light it with the bic and if it blows out it will keep relighting itself untill it is doused.. it's s good way to prolong the life of your matches and lighter.
 
MY personal opinion is that a firesteel is the ultimate anywhere, any climate, any weather firestarter. I am never without one. I do carry lots of backup though.

For matches, I have not found any better than these: http://www.rei.com/product/617046
 
countryboycansurvive said:
MY personal opinion is that a firesteel is the ultimate anywhere, any climate, any weather firestarter.
Click to expand...

I agree.

I am never without one. I do carry lots of backup though.
Click to expand...

I agree again!

For matches, I have not found any better than these: http://www.rei.com/product/617046
Click to expand...

My, three agreements in a row and some people say I am disagreeable. 8-)

mapper66 said:
Ferro and steel (See I was going to say don't even bother talking about this, then Rescue goes and posts that excellent looking one-handed method. I am trying this tonight. Knowledge, get you some!)
Click to expand...

I would not discard this incredible method of making fire on the outside chance that I was going to have a broken arm or hand and then embrace a Bic lighter. Bics will work under various conditions but I don't think anything bests the stupid-simple ferrocerium rod and striker and REI matches as backup.

Don, didn't you have a thread about pen flares? Ever get one? :D
Click to expand...

I was thinking about getting one of them and mentioned so back in the old Tactical Tailor E & E Pouch thread, wherever that has went to in the bowels of the forum. Have not purchased one of them yet. FOX-40 or similar whistles, signal mirror, strobe and the ever-present reality that all this firestarting equipment we are always talking about is a means of signaling as well has placed it on the back-burner.
 
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