So, what do you think of when you see the word FIRESTARTER? Honestly, I think of the song by that title (back in the 90's Orgy song). If that's the first thing that came to my mind, you KNOW I am NOT the outdoor sey type. Seriously, I am not the first to volunteer to go camping, but being a mother of 3 boys and being married to an Alpha male---camping is gonna happen---it just is! I remember the first time we went camping as a family several years ago, it started out great!!! The boys were excited, my husband was excited and heck, even I was STOKED!!--ok, maybe that's a bit of an exageration--but as excited as this Queens gal was gonna be!
We packed all we knew we would need--thinking about the environment we'd be in, what the expected weather was and how long our adventure was to last. We got to the site and were not disappointed. We picked our location and began unpacking and setting up our camp.
NOT 1 HOUR into our adventure and all 3 boys were whining about being bored and wanting to be hooked up to some sort of electronic device. People, let me tell you--there's nothing more annoying than 3 kids in the woods "with nothing to do"---OMG, do you remember being about 12? For the love of Pete; I am from NYC and you had to send out a search party to get me to come home at that age! Even I could find SOMETHING to do at that age that did not require an electrical socket--and I am a girl!! Seriously, what's with these kids these days? Anyway--all was going "well" until our first night.
The weatherman (liar) advised of the "small chance for scattered showers" in the area we were in....yeah, whatever---IT WAS A FREAKING MONSOON! It was a washout. Amazingly enough, we made it through dry in our tents and my husband was VERY quick to point out that the fire he started never went out. I've had to hear about that for several years now and I thought I'd share that with YOU!
The secret to keeping a fire going is to find green wood with high sap or resin content. Cedars and spruces tend to work well, also evergreens. The sap has flamable properties that help stay lit in wet or damp environments. You must keep a large flame, not a small ember. Naturally, sheltering your fire from the elements using whatever natural resources available including your body as a wind and rain brake. Being wet in a harsh environment is no picnic, but being wet in a harsh environment with no way of drying off is even worse.
So, here's where I tell you about products that I have used and know to work.
For a cold wet environment: get cotton balls and soak them in petroleum jelly (vaseline) and store them in a waterproof container--pill bottles and film canisters work great!
In a dry climate, use a magnesium firestarter and dryer lint work great here--store in a waterproof container as well.
Super glue (apart from being a great adhesive) will also burn hot and long when lit and is a great addition to any emergency kit. Not only is it great for sealing scrapes and cuts, but will also get your fire started with the addition of some small tinder.
Check out Ultimate Survival's Sparkie, Fire starter. This works by simply pushing down non the PUSH button and plunging the body downward. ---I like this one, it's chick proof! And...we stock it at 2A Outfitters!
When preparing for outdoor excursions. always tip the odds in your favor. Within reason, as many firestarting sources as you can legitimatly carry, is advisable. Waterproof matches, cigarrette lighters, and even 9 volt batteries and steele wool may provide the more effective fire starting method depending on your environment. The great thing about these firestarters is that they take up very little room and add very little weight. It's hard to over emphasize the importance of fire in a survival situation. Weather its to signal for rescue, cook, purify water provide warmth or simply to be used as a calming agent, fire is a must for any extended venture into the outdoors.
So, we survived and had a wonderful time---haven't camped since.....lol! But, I might just do it again!!
I'd love to read about any family outings you may have lived through this summer! I invite you to share away!
Love & Survival--diyprepgirl
We packed all we knew we would need--thinking about the environment we'd be in, what the expected weather was and how long our adventure was to last. We got to the site and were not disappointed. We picked our location and began unpacking and setting up our camp.
NOT 1 HOUR into our adventure and all 3 boys were whining about being bored and wanting to be hooked up to some sort of electronic device. People, let me tell you--there's nothing more annoying than 3 kids in the woods "with nothing to do"---OMG, do you remember being about 12? For the love of Pete; I am from NYC and you had to send out a search party to get me to come home at that age! Even I could find SOMETHING to do at that age that did not require an electrical socket--and I am a girl!! Seriously, what's with these kids these days? Anyway--all was going "well" until our first night.
The weatherman (liar) advised of the "small chance for scattered showers" in the area we were in....yeah, whatever---IT WAS A FREAKING MONSOON! It was a washout. Amazingly enough, we made it through dry in our tents and my husband was VERY quick to point out that the fire he started never went out. I've had to hear about that for several years now and I thought I'd share that with YOU!
The secret to keeping a fire going is to find green wood with high sap or resin content. Cedars and spruces tend to work well, also evergreens. The sap has flamable properties that help stay lit in wet or damp environments. You must keep a large flame, not a small ember. Naturally, sheltering your fire from the elements using whatever natural resources available including your body as a wind and rain brake. Being wet in a harsh environment is no picnic, but being wet in a harsh environment with no way of drying off is even worse.
So, here's where I tell you about products that I have used and know to work.
For a cold wet environment: get cotton balls and soak them in petroleum jelly (vaseline) and store them in a waterproof container--pill bottles and film canisters work great!
In a dry climate, use a magnesium firestarter and dryer lint work great here--store in a waterproof container as well.
Super glue (apart from being a great adhesive) will also burn hot and long when lit and is a great addition to any emergency kit. Not only is it great for sealing scrapes and cuts, but will also get your fire started with the addition of some small tinder.
Check out Ultimate Survival's Sparkie, Fire starter. This works by simply pushing down non the PUSH button and plunging the body downward. ---I like this one, it's chick proof! And...we stock it at 2A Outfitters!
When preparing for outdoor excursions. always tip the odds in your favor. Within reason, as many firestarting sources as you can legitimatly carry, is advisable. Waterproof matches, cigarrette lighters, and even 9 volt batteries and steele wool may provide the more effective fire starting method depending on your environment. The great thing about these firestarters is that they take up very little room and add very little weight. It's hard to over emphasize the importance of fire in a survival situation. Weather its to signal for rescue, cook, purify water provide warmth or simply to be used as a calming agent, fire is a must for any extended venture into the outdoors.
So, we survived and had a wonderful time---haven't camped since.....lol! But, I might just do it again!!
I'd love to read about any family outings you may have lived through this summer! I invite you to share away!
Love & Survival--diyprepgirl
