- Joined
- May 21, 2005
- Messages
- 828
In preparations for the Ct GTG I decised to test some gear and skills. I decided that I would only utilize the equipment in my BOB and what would be available in my vehicle. From my vehicle came a tarp and bungee cords that I used to set up a wind break/lean to shelter. Next I used what is IMHO the gold standard of water carriers the GI 1 qt. canteen, cup, stove stand and cover to boil a cup of water using a heat tab. (At least one of these combos should be part of everyones bug out gear.)
Now you might think that this would be simple, but using the Bic lighter from my BOB to light the heat tab was not as easy as I remember espically on a windy day. Solution was to get behind the windbreak and low holding the lighter and tab close to my body to keep the lighter lite long enough for the tab to catch. Within a few minutes the water was boiling where preparing a drink or soup would have been no problem.
Next I decided to try my hand at starting a fire with a spark throwing device. My goal was to get a sufficent quantity of ember going that I could add kindling if I were actually starting a fire. I started by shaving wood dust and curls off of some sticks. We had heavy rain yesterday so the exterior was damp but the interior was dry. I tried doing this with my Vic. Farmer but always had the feeling it would close on my hand so I switched to my Mora. The Mora handled this job with ease, felt perfect in my hand would be one of my first choices for this task. Plus I could easily place it back into its sheath so that it didn't get lost amoung the sticks, leaves etc... on the ground.
Once I got enough wood dust, shavings and mini fuzz sticks I went to work with my Swedish fire steel. This is a good tool but I just could never seem to get enough spark to get the material to catch. Also this can cause your hand to cramp up as it is a bit small to hold onto.
After having no luck with the Swedish fire steel I switched to my Strike Force Fire Starter. The Strike Force Fire Starter was much easer to hold onto and throws sparks like crazy. After just a few tries I was able to generate enough embers that I would have been able to creat a fire from.
Some notes the day as I said was windy and cool (42 degrees). Obviously the colder windier, wetter the weather/terrian the harder tasks become. You need to pratice, pratice , pratice if you expect to be able to do them in a real situation. Test your gear so you know what does and doesn't work. Just becuse it looks good in an add or says SF approved doesn't mean it will work for you. Many of these tasks require you to spend periods of time on your knees and bent over again this can be an issue for us as we start getting older.
Now you might think that this would be simple, but using the Bic lighter from my BOB to light the heat tab was not as easy as I remember espically on a windy day. Solution was to get behind the windbreak and low holding the lighter and tab close to my body to keep the lighter lite long enough for the tab to catch. Within a few minutes the water was boiling where preparing a drink or soup would have been no problem.
Next I decided to try my hand at starting a fire with a spark throwing device. My goal was to get a sufficent quantity of ember going that I could add kindling if I were actually starting a fire. I started by shaving wood dust and curls off of some sticks. We had heavy rain yesterday so the exterior was damp but the interior was dry. I tried doing this with my Vic. Farmer but always had the feeling it would close on my hand so I switched to my Mora. The Mora handled this job with ease, felt perfect in my hand would be one of my first choices for this task. Plus I could easily place it back into its sheath so that it didn't get lost amoung the sticks, leaves etc... on the ground.
Once I got enough wood dust, shavings and mini fuzz sticks I went to work with my Swedish fire steel. This is a good tool but I just could never seem to get enough spark to get the material to catch. Also this can cause your hand to cramp up as it is a bit small to hold onto.
After having no luck with the Swedish fire steel I switched to my Strike Force Fire Starter. The Strike Force Fire Starter was much easer to hold onto and throws sparks like crazy. After just a few tries I was able to generate enough embers that I would have been able to creat a fire from.
Some notes the day as I said was windy and cool (42 degrees). Obviously the colder windier, wetter the weather/terrian the harder tasks become. You need to pratice, pratice , pratice if you expect to be able to do them in a real situation. Test your gear so you know what does and doesn't work. Just becuse it looks good in an add or says SF approved doesn't mean it will work for you. Many of these tasks require you to spend periods of time on your knees and bent over again this can be an issue for us as we start getting older.
