I was just curious if anyone has hosted or been to an event or meeting that showed some basic survival skills. I'm talking about starting fires using a bow and drill, 2 sticks, convex lenses, coke cans. Or setting up simple traps like figure 4 deadfalls (not actually using anything heavy, just showing how the setup and trigger work). Also finding direction (North/South) using the sun and a watch, or a stick and its shadow. I'm sure there are tons of other stuff that would also fit into the survival theme.

I've tried a few of these things from a US Armed Forces Survival Manual I've read and a few things from some of the Discovery Channel shows. Its pretty awesome when you see how they work in person.

Just thought it would be a neat thing to base a cache event around this or add it to an event. It would be pretty easy to demonstrate some of the stuff. You could even include the cachers attending and let them set some stuff up and give some of it a shot if they wanted to try.

Just curious what others thought and if there was any interest in this type of stuff. I know that it most likely would never have to be used by anyone around here, but its still kind of neat to learn.

I've always been interested in that kind of stuff too. I remember learning about figure 4 traps when I was a kid. Built a small one to hold up a box in hopes of catching a rabbit out in the garden. Set it up, went to church, came back, and the box was down! But when I went to check what was inside I noticed the corner had been chewed out and my rabbit had escaped. D'oh!

You could add to the list water purification, edible plants, and signaling (fires/mirrors/etc). I know several people who can't identify poison ivy. Like you said...tons of stuff.

I'd pay to see someone start a fire with two sticks! And coke cans? What the...??? Although I did recently watch a video on youtube showing how to start a fire with a potato and a couple other common household items.

I think it's a great idea for a event/meeting topic.

Yeah, I've trapped my crazy cat in a box using a figure 4 a few times. He doesn't really care as long as he gets the treat now.

Your other ideas would also be good ones to cover or demonstrate. I'll have to do some looking to see if I can find some other interesting stuff.

If enough people get interested in the idea I may try to set up an event. Or if it is really popular maybe the GGA could add it to one of there monthly meetings.

If I remember correctly, Alan Lacy gave a great program at the GGA meeting at Unicoi last year.

I was able to attend the Unicoi meeting last year, but got there a little late. The only part I caught was the part where they were going over things you could carry in a backpack, etc incase you got stuck in the woods overnight. I remember things like matches, water, emergency blanket, extra socks, food bars, compass, map, and so on. Great advice for a survival pack. What they covered is definately the best choice to carry.

I was leaning more towards primitive means of survival incase you didn't have any of those options (like firestarting without matches or or lighter). It isn't really useful around here, but would probably apply more out west or deep woods Canada. I just thought some people might like to see some of that in action. The meeting at Unicoi was great and they may have covered some of this before I showed up.

I've watched all episodes of Survivorman, Man vs. Wild and have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express. Hopefully I will live through my next lamp post find.



I have one of the fire pistons. They are cool. Perhaps we could have a meeting again along these lines again. Would be fun.

Edited to add that some easy, simple first aid would be a great addition.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mtn-man,

Yep, mine talk included what to carry to survive a night when you weren't planing on spending the night.

Now I can start a fire with two pieces of metal as long as one of them is part of Magnesium Firestarting Tool. Also Tampons make great tinder.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenLacy:
... Also Tampons make great tinder.

I'm not EVEN going there! (.)(.)

quote:

Originally posted by AllenLacy:
Now I can start a fire with two pieces of metal as long as one of them is part of Magnesium Firestarting Tool.

Best $5.50 you can spend, even works when wet.

quote:

Originally posted by phat.bak:

quote:

Originally posted by AllenLacy:
... Also Tampons make great tinder.

I'm not EVEN going there! (.)(.)

Tinder is defined as an easily combustible material used to ignite fires. Tampons fit the bill, they catch fire easy, burn a long time, and also come in easy to carry packages.

quote:

...they catch fire easy, burn a long time, and also come in easy to carry packages.

So does belly button lint.

Seriously, I've heard that the fuzz from your dryer's lint trap is excellent too.

~erik~

quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:
I've heard that the fuzz from your dryer's lint trap is excellent too.

That's what I use. Keep a pint-sized ziplok full of the stuff in my bag. Weighs next to nothing, & I don't have to worry about any embarrassing moments when LZ33 sees my pack spill.

quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:
Seriously, I've heard that the fuzz from your dryer's lint trap is excellent too.

~erik~

I make "fire starters" by filling a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint, then melting wax and filling the carton with the wax, cut apart and you have 12 starters. To use put something like newspaper, then two to three of the fire starters then kindling, then wood. Light the newspaper. Now I suspect that unwaxed lint could be used instead of newspaper.

When backpacking I always have a stash of dryer lint. We were on a backpacking trip with the boy scouts and after failing to get a fire started in rainy conditions, I brought out my dryer lint. You should have seen them and heard them when I told them what it was. They were pretty skeptical until 15 minutes later when they had a good fire started. Super lightweight and super combustible.

I have made fire starters like Allen, but use sawdust instead of lint. These are great for car camping.

Our next scout outing in two weeks is an event where all troops from our district get together for a weekend of camping. This year's theme is Scout Vs. Wild and it is supposed to be based on survival skills.

I think some of these would be great to teach at a GGA event considering the type of activity we do

Good stuff! We haven't even had the meeting/event yet and I've already learned a few things. I'll be saving dryer lint now (as opposed to Allen's alternative ). And I had to look up the coke can fire starting method. Can't wait to try it!

Wow. I don't know, but I gotta' say that I spend three bucks and buy a box of these.

http://www.rei.com/product/407008



They burn like crazy, easy to keep dry in a ziploc and burn plenty long enough to get damp wood dry enough to burn. I've used them for years and bought them at almost any outdoor store (used them before REI was ever in Atlanta).

That makes me think of the very last episode of Survivorman. Les is doing something to try to start a fire, rubbing sticks and vines for a friction method. No fire. He describes the many ways he has built fire over his many journeys. He says that he has one last ditch effort to maybe get a fire going and is not sure if it will work. He pulls out a butane lighter. "Wish me luck" he says. He starts his fire, instantly of course. "Whew, wow that was close."



Will miss you Les. You are the man.

When we go camping I usually take our propane (or butane) torch to light the campfire incase things are wet. It is the kind you use to fix copper pipes for plumbing and uses the same propane tanks that our lantern and stove use. Quick, easy, and lights a fire every time. Of course my wife says it is overkill

I use one of those for work too. That isn't really overkill.

Now this? You might consider this overkill.

Now this is a youtube video of overkill.