survival tips

Quick Tip #6

Carry some moonshine, everclear or any grain alcohol that is 80 proof or higher, in your emergency bag, bug out bag or in any pack you may use for the outdoors. You can use the alcohol to start a fire by soaking some tinder in it. This will also help if you are dealing with wet tinder. You can use the alcohol as the base for many herbal remedies. If you lack any other type of antiseptic, you can pour or dab some of the alcohol onto the wound. You can use the alcohol as a mouth wash as well. In a survival situation it is not recommended to drink the alcohol because it is only going to dehydrate you (but hay that’s up to you). You can also soak some rags in the alcohol and wrap them around sticks to make torches to be used at night for light or personal protection. There are many survival uses for high proof alcohol which is what makes it a great survival tool to add to anyone’s kit, as long as they are over 21.

Quick Tip

Here is a simple and easy fire starting kit that you can put together yourself. Get a lighter that is full of fluid. Next get 1-3 quick tinders or something similar like the zippo wax coated tinders. Now get a 1 1/2″ ranger band (bicycle tire inner tube cut into different size rubber bands). Wrap the ranger band around the lighter. Now just stuff the tinders under the ranger bands. You now have a simple, lightweight fire starting kit. If you use quick tinders, each one will burn for about two minutes. Also if you make this kit using a zippo lighter, the kit will be easier to use in high winds. If you make this simple modification to every lighter you own, you’ll never be stuck without a way to start a fire as long as you always carry one kit in your pocket. These kits are perfect for emergency/bug out bags.

Quick Tip #3

For an easy fire starting kit place a small lighter (like a bic minny) and a tea light candle in a baggy or plastic wrap. Just stick the kit in your bag or pocket. When you’re ready to start a fire just grab some kindling, larger sticks and some small logs or thicker sticks. Now just set the candle down and light it with the lighter and start adding kindling and then twigs. As the fire starts to get going add sticks until you have the desired size fire. The candle is great because it has a long burning time which gives you plenty of time to get a fire going. This is a great starter fire kit for those just starting out learning how to start simple fires. This kit will give you a better chance at not failing to start a fire. This is just one of many ways of starting a fire. Try to practice and learn as many different ways as possible to start a fire. The more skills you learn and know, the better off and safer you’ll be in the wilderness.