How to Escape a Sinking Car

When Carrie Mattingly lost control of her SUV on an icy road, she and her daughter went headlong into a nearby pond. The Washington state residents crashed through a fence and had precious seconds to get out with their lives. Continue reading “How to Escape a Sinking Car” »

In honor of the snowfall and chilly temperatures, we ranked our top 5 pieces of essential winter gear. We’re in the the holiday spirit, and we want you to stay warm and dry out there. Before you head out into the winter wilderness make sure you have all of the necessary gear. Surviving the winter temperatures requires a whole different set of equipment. Anyone from backpackers to preppers to weekend warriors should love this stuff!

Item #5 Backpack with an Avalanche Airbag
Unsteady snow and unpredictable weather can cause avalanches. When buried under the snow, every second counts. If you’re spending a lot of time skiing in the snowy mountains, try out a backpack equipped with an avalanche air bag. These backpacks are perfectly functional, but they also inflate to protect the neck and head during an avalanche. The extra room that a deployed air bag can provide in an avalanche can help you survive. These bags can be repacked and refilled after it’s used.

Item #4 Backpacker’s Coffee and Tea Maker
You’ll need it in the backcountry too, not just the office. Anyone in cold temperatures for long periods of time needs warm liquids and a little pick-me-up. A backpacker’s coffee maker is the perfect piece of gear. They are lightweight, compact, and can be re-used over and over again. You can find coffeemakers in drip or press models. A French press style maker is totally portable and delivers are nice strong brew. A drip style maker can hold the coffee grounds perched above your cup and is great at keeping grounds from the hot joe. Many models work just as well for loose-leaf or bagged tea.

Item #3 Battery Powered Heated Gloves
Gloves that are waterproof and heated are going to go a long way for survival. They are also great for winter sports like ice climbing and snowshoeing. You’re going to need them when the temps drop. Different settings are available, so on a low setting these gloves could last up to 8 hours. When you’re purchasing heated gloves make sure they heat the whole hand, not just the fingers. Rechargeable batteries are available and some models offer the option of charging with a USB hook-up.

Item #2 Four Season Tent
Shelter can’t be overlooked when it comes to survival in the winter weather. A four season tent is just that, shelter that has you covered in all four seasons. These tents often have reinforced walls and extra strudy zippers to keep out anything that Old Man Winter can dish out. A four season tent can fit up to four people or more, including their gear. There are a variety of styles available, but all are created to withstand lots of wet and wind and snow. Look for models that will be easy to set up in whipping winds or while wearing gloves.

And the top ranked winter survival gear is…

Item #1 Backcountry Snowshoes
For the money, snowshoes are a practical and safe winter survival item. Anyone can use them and they don’t require any death defying trips down steep mountains. When it comes to winter survival, snowshoes are essential. Anyone can travel multiple miles each day with a good pair of snowshoes no matter what the weather throws at them. There is a huge variety of styles and price levels. For surviving those long trail backcountry trips, look for sturdier types of snowshoes that can support your weight plus a pack.

These pieces of winter survival gear will really be nice to have when the winter winds bring snow and ice. Stay dry, stay warm, and most importantly, have fun out there.

Skiers love taking on whatever the mountain can dish out. There is nothing better than hitting fresh powder in the backcountry with friends. Canada’s CBC news reported that sales of backcountry ski equipment were up 40 percent at the start of the 2012-13 season and backcountry is no longer a fringe sector. Ski big, ski fearless, but keep your head on straight. Don’t be the one that needs to be rescued in the backcountry.

Skiing Apparel Crucial to Safety
You have to wear the right gear if you’re spending all day outside in the winter wilderness. The right clothing and equipment will make sure you come home with some legendary tales of skiing the backcountry .

Dress in three layers when carving up the backcountry. A base layer closest to your skin should be form fitting and comfortable. Cotton materials get too wet when you sweat, so choose a wicking and fast drying set of long underwear. The second layer should be clothing items that trap warm air and keep it close to you. Fleece vests or jackets are great options for a second layer. The third layer for skiing is a pair of ski pants and a sturdy ski jacket. They should be waterproof to prevent melting snow from weighing you down. Since skiing requires lots of movement, a ski jacket should fit closely but not restrict movement.

You’ll be much better off using skiing equipment that fits you correctly. Buy backcountry gear at a store that has staff that will help you find the right equipment in the right size. Ask them about freeride gear that can adapt to any type of skiing. Sometimes you really have to spend the extra money to rent any gear that you need instead of borrowing someone else’s equipment.

The Best Way to Stay Safe While Skiing in the Backcountry
There is no way around it; Skiing alone can be very dangerous. Snow, cold wind, and injury are all things that can ruin a day on the mountain. Take a friend out into the backcountry and you’ll both enjoy the fresh powder even more.

Someone else should know where you’ll be skiing and what runs you’re taking. If something happens, they will know where to find you and bring help. Stay in touch with a set of outdoor walkie-talkies while you’re in the backcountry with a group. Getting separated in the wilderness can mean serious problems and you don’t want your friends risking their necks to search for you.

New skiers always want to go big. Be smart. Definitely know what types of slopes and runs you belong on. A backcountry run that scares you probably isn’t a good choice. Live to challenge another day. A green circle, blue square, black diamond will indicate the skill levels required to safely enjoy the slope. Test yourself, but do it with a skilled partner who knows what they’re doing.

Take breaks to catch your breath and get some food. Because of the colder winter temperatures, many skiers can’t tell they are sweating and tired. Take time between each run to stay hydrated with water or sports drink and fueled up with food that serves up big calories.

Cold Weather Survival
If you want to check out the wilderness and push the limits of the mountain, there is no better way than backcountry skiing. The runs are fast and the skies are clear but even then skiers can overlook crucial danger signs.

Know the signs of a possible avalanche. IF you’re buried in an avalanche, you have no more than 5 minutes before serious danger sets in. Recent avalanches in the area, recent heavy snow or rain, and windblown snow drifts could mean that an avalanche may happen in the area. Avoid trails or runs that seem like they have unsteady snow.

Slow speech, slurred words, sleepiness, and unstable emotions could be signs of Hypothermia. This can happen because of extended exposure to the cold. If this happens, get the person indoors if possible. Restore warmth slowly. Remove any wet clothing and replace it with blankets and dry clothes. Give the person warm liquids to increase their body temperature.

Skiing is the best way to soak up all that fresh snowfall. Keep pushing limits and crushing snow. The mountain awaits.

No water. Are you ready? The human body can make it about three days before dying of crippling thirst. Our bodies are mostly made of water, so when we are without it our bodies can no longer function. Read below and you’ll know ways to bring precious water to your body.

Gather Rainwater with a Simple Tarp and Bucket
When rain falls you need to have a trap that has plenty of surface area. A traditional plastic tarp is a great way to gather a maximum amount of water in a short amount of time. The set up takes very little effort but the results can quench a desperate thirst.

Find two tree branches 4-5 feet in length. Drive one end of each into the ground so they stand solidly about 3 feet apart. Tie one end of the tarp to the top of each stick using some paracord, long grasses, or bark from a willow tree.
A bucket, bowl, or other container will do just fine for a water trap. At the place where the other ends of the tarp lay upon the ground, dig a hole that fits your container. Use your remaining paracord, tall grasses, or tough tree bark to tie the other two ends of the tarp together.
As the rain falls, the tarp will gather the water and it will flow downwards into the container.

How to Gather Rainwater from the Roof
The roof of your home or shelter is a natural rainwater trap. Take advantage of this to bring gallons of water every time it rains. Be sure to filter this water, as it will contain whatever nasty particles that may have gathered on your roof tiles.

Depending on the style of your gutters, you can extend the spout to divert rainwater into a large container like a barrel or large container.
Keep cleanliness in mind. The runoff container should have a lid that is secure and that will keep out leaves, dirt, and animals.
Be aware that your container may fill to the top with water. To stop flooding and overflow, divert the path of the water back to the gutter spout or into a second container.

Use an Umbrella to Gather Rain Water
Sure, it’s a stretch. But when things get desperate you need to be ready to take advantage of any materials you find. An umbrella is usually for keeping rainwater away in everyday circumstances. When you’re desperate for a drink, getting soaked by the rain is of little concern.

Take an umbrella that is broken or has been discarded and flip it over.
Poke a few small holes in the umbrella so that it can drain as it gathers rain.
Place the upside down umbrella on a 5-gallon bucket or container to gather the rain the drips through.

Humans cannot make it for long without water. Without food and shelter, your odds are a bit better. Use these tactics to start gathering a supply of rainwater as soon as you can for the best results.

A lost hiker should be found as soon as possible. You must know these tips for tracking a person in the wilderness. If not, the lost person faces an increased risk of harm. Local and national authorities search for thousands of missing people every year. There are many dangers around and finding them as quickly as possible is the first priority.

When a person you know goes missing in the wilderness, there are strategies to follow to make sure you stay on their trail and locate them quickly.

What to Look for When Tracking a Lost Hiker
There are a few things to keep watch for when tracking a human in the wilderness. Signs are everywhere if you can train your eye to look for them. There are a number of ways to tell if a person was recently in the area.

Torn clothing can be a giveaway. If a person is struggling or hiking quickly, they might leave clothing behind or get it snagged on tree branches.
Small pieces of trash and food wrappers are signs that a person recently rested or made camp in the area. Most people just out exploring don’t leave garbage, but a person who is desperate won’t worry about littering.

How to Find A Hiker’s Footprints and Tracks
Footprints aren’t always easy to see due to the variety of surfaces in the wilderness. A hiker’s footprints will also change depending on the surface and weather.

Look for small impressions on beds of small plants or moss.
When going uphill, toes dig into the soil for traction. On a downhill, people’s heels tend to land first and make impressions.
Is the lost hiker a tall person or short? This changes the distance in stride and where the next print is likely to be found.
Watch for changes in surfaces. For example, sand and snow will stick to boots and will transfer onto pavement.

When You Look for a Lost Hiker, Form a Team for the Best Results
The best way to track down a person is by forming a search team. More eyes are always better than just two.

One person should work as the point person and two others should stay behind as the search takes place. Those in the back should not be directly behind, but should be at the right or left rear of the point searcher.
A search team can also have roles so that each person is dedicated to a certain aspect. One can keep eyes trained on the ground while the other scans low-lying trees and shrubs for signs.

Every year, thousands of hikers go missing in the wilderness. It doesn’t take much to get turned around among the trees and trails. If panic and danger is added in the results can be disastrous. Timing is the key to finding a lost person. Follow these steps and work quickly for the best results.

Can you defend yourself and your family from an attacker who wants your last cans of food? Can you carry an injured child two miles back to camp? Can you make the hike to the nearest water? Answering these questions could mean the difference between life or death.

You don’t need a gym membership or a fitness video to start building your survival strength. You can add some fun and variety into your workouts to increase family time and build survival skills. There are a few easy moves that you and your family can do while enjoying time outdoors.

Move # 1- The Rock Pass Builds Teamwork and Balance
You can build survivor strength and increases balance in one move with the Rock Pass. Find a few friends or family to take a hike with you. Before you start, find a rock that each person can carry comfortably for a few steps. No one should be struggling too much to heft the weight. If the rock has some uneven sides that is even better. Practice standing in a circle passing the rock from person to person. Now head out on your hike just as you normally would but continue to pass the rock as you walk.

Set the goal of getting the rock for just a mile or for the entire hike. You’ll find that the task of passing the rock starts to be a real labor on your arms. Everyone will have to work together to accomplish the task. The Rock Pass builds teamwork, strength, and balance as your body works to complete a variety of tasks all at once.

Move #2- Tree Limb Pull-ups for a Survivor’s Upper Body
A quick hike in the woods reveals many ways to build your survival strength. Pull-ups and chin-ups are a great way to build upper body strength. All you need for this exercise is a tree limb that can support your weight. Do a few pull-ups with good form and then keep hiking until you find another good limb. Repeat the pull-ups and walking rest. These tree limb pull-ups will quickly build your upper body strength for any number of survival tasks like carrying heavy loads of firewood or building a shelter.

Move #3- Backpack Squats for Tree Trunk Legs
Pair your upper body workouts with lower body work. Take a minute to pack up your hiking pack with weight. Just use heavy clothing or blankets for a balanced load. With the full backpack on your back do several squats to test the weight. You should be able to do 5-10 without discomfort. Adjust your pack so it rests evenly. Do these around the house as you do vacuuming or dishes. Take your bag out for your hikes and stop every once so often to add in these squats to accelerate your cardio workouts. Backpack squats will increase your ability to walk long distances. Strong legs allow better climbing and carrying, both essential survival tasks.

These moves help you build the survivor strength required to live through emergency situations. They can also be done for free around the house or when you’re out for a hike, no gym membership required. Get the family out and practice them together for exercise with a fun twist.

Throwing knives are often overlooked as a tool for survival. Just like any other weapon, it takes time and practice to perfect. Using throwing knives successfully requires concentration and excellent technique. There are a few blade types to test out and a few throwing styles that can fit various levels of skills. If you’re looking to buy a set of knives, there are several types to consider. For the price, a good set of throwing knives can end up being an indispensable asset to have.

Reasons to Carry Throwing Knives
Few weapons can boast as much history as throwing knives. Our ancestors relied on thrown blades for personal protection as well as hunting. They are simple, quiet, and never need to be reloaded. When planning for survival situations, weapons that are reliable and quiet are great options. If the situation continues to get worse, throwing knives will only need to be sharpened and you’ll never need to buy ammunition.

Throwing knives are also very light and small. If you’ll need to travel a good distance on foot, this will be essential. For the most part, you’ll find knives no more than around 12-13 inches in length and 13 ounces or so. Survival situations will require you to move quickly and maybe over long distances. In these cases, weight is incredibly important. You don’t want to rely on something that requires constant maintenance or many parts that you might have to replace. Throwing knives can be essential items to keep on hand.

Knives are quiet and do not draw any attention to themselves. If there are multiple threats or prey, you’ll be able to handle each one without alerting the others. They are the best weapon for stealth. Believe it or not, throwing knives aren’t just for ninjas and martial arts types. Small game and personal threats can be stopped in their tracks with an accurately handled knife.

Look for These Features When You’re Buying Throwing Knives
You can throw any knife and hope that it hits the target, but throwing knives are usually built just for one purpose. Would you try to strike out a batter with a basketball? If you want to achieve excellent results, you need to use well-designed throwing knives. There are tactical throwing knives that can be used for general purposes as well as throwing.

These types of knives are streamlined in design and very light to carry. Basically, you’ll find throwing knives built blade-heavy, handle-heavy, or balanced. The heaviest part of a knife should be thrown first, so if the knife is blade-heavy it will be held in your hand. This technique is best for beginners. A balanced throwing knife is thrown either blade or handle first, so it is more versatile depending on what your needs will be.

Handles of throwing knives can vary in style. Some cord wrapped options provide a good solid grip. Handles of the slim knives are often bare to streamline the throw and maintain a good balance as the knife makes its rotation through the air.

How to Practice with your New Throwing Knives
The best method for starting your knife throwing practice is the Hammer Throw. Grip the handle of the knife as you would a hammer, but with your thumb kept along the edge instead of wrapped around the handle. Bring your hand up to about ear level with your elbow level to your knife grip. Be sure to throw the knife straight ahead and keep your follow-through a clean line and not across your body.

Set up a sturdy target that can handle plenty of knife strikes. Make sure that it’s out of the way since your throws might take some time to perfect. Start by standing 8-10 feet away and throw at a 4 inch bullseye. To perfect your technique, vary your distances and pay attention to the number of rotations it takes the blade to make contact.

Throwing knives are the perfect addition to any survivalist’s arsenal. It takes time a practice to master the technique, but the benefits are many. They don’t take up much room and are light to carry. Knife care and maintenance doesn’t require much time or money. Keep a set of throwing knives available and practice your grip and throw. You never know when they just might save your life.

The evening rush hour and the holidays are the times when you’ll see the most drivers on the road. After a long day at the office, many drivers are feeling tired. When a driver is tired or stressed, they might take it out on others using the road. If there is a local natural disaster or emergency, roads might be filled with desperate people.

Prepare to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while driving. Evasive driving requires lots of practice. Attend a driving school or hire a professional instructor in order to learn advanced techniques. There are, however, simple strategies that can help to save you in desperate times.

Approaching Vehicle Road Blockades

Sharp and evasive turning techniques like the Bootlegger’s Turn and the Moonshiner’s Turn (or J Turn) will take practice and can take a real toll on your tires. A Bootlegger’s Turn requires high speed, a sharp turn of the steering wheel, and a hard pull of the parking break. This will totally turn a forward driving car completely around, allowing you to speed away. A Moonshiner’s Turn is the same, but the driver starts off backing away from the threat in reverse, then using the technique to turn that car around and speed away. Of course, have an experienced evasive driver help you master these techniques in a place where no other cars or people can be harmed if you don’t nail it.

Drivers don’t always need to avoid a threat on the road. A car is a strong weapon if used correctly. The front and rear ends of a vehicle are the most vulnerable. Aiming at either the rear or front of a single car blocking the road will cause it to spin out of the way. If two cars are blocking the road, the place where the two cars meet is the weakest point. Aim for this area to break the cars apart and get through the blockade.

What to do if You’re Being Followed
A driver may notice that someone is following their every move on the road. In this scenario, it is not wise to get out and confront the other driver. Confrontations that take place outside of your car can put you in significant danger. Maintain as much control of the situation as possible by staying in a locked car or truck. There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself in this situation.

Keep your speed manageable. Trying to zoom away can cause you to lose control and wreck. That not only makes you more vulnerable, but also puts other innocent drivers in danger. Maintain your current speed and drive responsibly. Making good decisions and staying in one piece is the ultimate goal. Leave the high speed car chases for the movies. If a following car is threatening your safety by ramming or other attacks, keep both hands on the wheel and try to remain calm. In these situations, whoever makes the first serious driving mistake first is the one who takes the impact. An attacker swerving and hitting your car is the most likely to mess up first.

Don’t give up. You should stay in your vehicle and keep moving if at all possible. If you must exit your vehicle, drive to a popular location with other people around. Exit your car and find help and cover immediately. If you aren’t in a populated place, drive to the nearest place that provides as much cover as possible. Anything that comes between you and the threat is some kind of protection. Exit your car and try to hide. In either case, exit your vehicle. This forces your pursuer to leave the safety and comfort of their car, too.

Turn down small alleyways or streets to see if the other vehicle stays on your tail. If the other vehicle stays with you even through intersections and parking lots, get on the phone with law enforcement if you can to let them know you feel that you are in danger. Let them know as many specifics as possible. Keep track of your approximate location and route so that even when you are feeling stress you can help emergency services locate you.

Get Out of Town Fast
Prepare for evasive driving situations by being familiar with the roads and highways around your location. As with many other survival situations, being prepared ahead of time is the best way to pull off these techniques.

If you’re in a new area, take the time to look over a map and learn the location of popular places like large shopping centers, police stations, and hospitals. Drive around to find the quickest route from your home or office to the nearest highway. You can avoid dangerous situations by having a knowledge of the local roads.

Keep a road atlas available and have your local areas marked for easy access. Do not rely solely on your cell phone or GPS, they aren’t always reliable in bad weather. Prepare to bug out for emergency evacuations by highlighting the best routes out of town in your atlas ahead of time.

Practice these driving techniques to increase your chances of safety on roadways. Any time a driver feels threatened or desperate, they are a danger to everyone else on the road. Avoid unprepared drivers and other threats by being informed about local roadways and evasive driving techniques.

“It was like a slap from a giant.”
This is how a survivor of the 2004 tsunami that struck 12 countries bordering the Indian Ocean described the first wave. An otherwise peaceful morning with crisp blue skies turned to a muddy brown nightmare in the blink of an eye. In an area of the world dominated by pristine beaches and putting scooters skimming along small streets, towering ocean waves brought destruction and snatched the lives of around 300,000 people in a single morning.

On December 26, the day after Christmas, locals and tourists in Khao Lak Thailand were forever changed by a few swift strokes from the mighty Indian Ocean. This area was one of the hardest hit, with a tourist mortality rate of 50% and local residents of around 70%. Because of the poor housing conditions in some areas, the statistics concerning those missing and injured will be forever unknown.

What to Expect in a Tsunami
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a tsunami is a series of waves, or a “wave train”, resulting from shifts in the sea floor that happen after an earthquake, volcano, or other types of natural events that alter the sea’s geography. Tsunami waves can regularly reach heights of 50 feet and can repeat themselves for several hours.

There are many stories to come out of this horrific event, but that of American John Thompson stands to teach us much about survival in such lightening fast scenarios. John arrived in Khao Lak a one day earlier and had spent the time exploring the area around his hotel and enjoying a Christmas dinner and dessert at some local spots. The next morning, while lying in bed, he felt some vibrations in the building that lasted maybe two minutes. Not thinking too much of it, he continued enjoying his day by riding a rented scooter around the area.

After heading down to the beach to snap some photos of a small boat and a bay that he thought seemed a bit strange, he realized just what was happening around him. John and others down on the beach began sprinting away from the oncoming wave. He ran beside other locals and beachgoers, desperately taking shots with his camera over his shoulder of what he considered to just be a “big wave” that was obviously not stopping at the sand like any other. The wave that ultimately tackled the peaceful coast that morning averaged a towering height of 24 feet.

Be Prepared to Make Split-Second Choices
During his life-saving sprint away from the rushing water, John was confronted with a choice that would eventually save his life. To continue running up the street meant putting distance between himself and the wave, but diving into a nearby hotel could offer crucial protection. John chose the sturdy building and sprinted to its highest point. This split-second decision was what most likely left him alive to tell the tale. It only demonstrates that survival situations demand quick thinking and reward wise decisions.

Perhaps the best way to honor the causalities and displaced survivors of the 2004 tsunami is to learn from what happened and carry those lessons with us in future excursions. Overall, the catastrophe teaches us that we could be separated from our friends, loved ones, and belongings in an instant. It may seem strange, but when you arrive in an area where tsunami’s might occur, become familiar with the local buildings and streets as they relate to the beachfront.

The Correct Way to Prepare for a Tsunami
Your familiarity with these routes and buildings could be what save you should disaster strike. As you do this, make a plan with loved ones so that if you are separated you will all know where to find each other. Pick a local landmark that everyone can find and designate a meeting spot or two so that no matter what happens a central location is set. Disaster does not wait for you to pack up your suitcase. Be sure to have a small backpack with some necessities should you only have precious seconds to grab and go.

Understanding how rushing waves and water work can work in your favor. Water moves along the path of least resistance. This usually means waves hit hardest the streets and alleyways that offer little in the way of buildings or boundaries. A sturdy building that offers high stories or a path that heads uphill could be your best bet when given just quick moments to decide which way to go for safety. Since tsunamis often follow earthquakes, heed nature’s warning by moving to higher ground should you feel an earthquake. Concerning the water, a last chance effort can be made to grab onto some item that floats and is big enough to support your weight.

John Thompson’s story of survival shows us that disaster doesn’t wait or discriminate. What matters in situations like these is preparation and quick decisions that ensure survival. A tsunami is a devastating threat from the natural world, but you can still enjoy the beauty of nature while being prepared to survive.

Prepping your Bug Out Bag means you’ll need to think about fire-starting options that are available. Your best bet is to try out as many as possible before choosing what will work best for you. A wide range of options will greet you, from the expensive packaged camp store versions to a few you can create yourself at little to no cost. Take these things into account:

When it comes to fire-starters, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean more effective. A lot depends on the conditions and the weather.

If a bad situation turns even worse, you should probably also figure out how to make fire-starters without the benefit of money or nearby stores.

How You Can Make a Fire-Starter With Items at Home
One option that can be quickly made at home with very little cost is a fire-starter made from the lint found in your clothes dryer. You probably have more dryer lint than you need, so you can’t beat the availability of this ingredient. Consider a few things to consider before you go lighting the gray stuff on fire out in the backyard.

The fabric of the clothes that were just in the dryer actually play a pretty important role. You’ll probably find the best results come from cotton clothes like shirts and denim jeans. A dryer with a load of clothes made up of microfibers or other synthetic materials might not be as effective. Test out the lint from a few different laundry loads to find what works best and let us know in the comments.

After you’ve found the materials that are the most combustible, try out two different fuel extenders to make the lint even more effective. Basically, a “fuel extender” coats the lint and makes it burn for a longer time and, in turn, catches your smaller pieces and kindling to smoldering and smoking. Try out petroleum jelly for an extender that you can find around the house. Mix it with the lint to make some tidy little fire-starters. Try out paraffin wax or melt down some leftover holiday candles and add that to your lint.

Ways to Carry Your Dryer Lint Fire-Starters
The beauty of using dryer lint as a base ingredient of your survival fire starters is that most of the ingredients can be found around the house and cost pretty much nothing. You will need something to hold your newly found lint fuel.

You can use a cardboard egg carton by putting a bit of the mixture of lint and fuel extender in each small section or use a discarded toilet paper roll to stuff the mixture in. Either way, consider how you’ll keep your starter dry.

When using the egg carton container you could also consider the extra step of dipping them in melted fax for a waterproof and fuel based option. Re-using small plastic bags of packaging or the Ziploc bags that only held a lunch sandwich are good ways to recycle household items that would normally get trashed.

A fire-starter holds the potential to save the lives of you and your loved ones, so take the time necessary to make sure you make them correctly by trying out difference ingredients and safely starting fires of your own before a time of crisis arrives. The weather, the types of wood available, and the lighting device are all factors to consider.