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The ability to create fire on demand is so crucial in a survival situation, but is too often given little attention. Always have at least one of these fire starting alternatives on hand and ready…

Bic Lighter – Open Flame

Since a road flare isn’t practical for EDC, I carry a mini Bic. The resemblance of road flares to dynamite puts people on edge, especially law enforcement officers. I do have them in my vehicle kits though.

Cold hands lose dexterity and make normally simple tasks like striking a lighter, difficult. Modify your EDC lighter by removing the child-proof device wrapped over the striker wheel. Pry it up from the chimney housing. Once free, pull the metal band from the lighter. Two metal wings will point up after removal. Bend the wings down flat to protect your thumb when striking the lighter.

Advantages

• A mini Bic will give you approximately 1,450 open flames.
• A wet Bic can be back in service within a minute or so.
• So easy to light a five-year-old can use one.
• Designed to be used with only one hand.

Disadvantages

• It’s difficult to monitor the fuel level unless the housing is clear.
• They are consumable… eventually.
• Extreme cold limits a Bic. Keep it warm inside a shirt pocket under your overcoat.
• A mythical disadvantage is that lighters won’t work in high altitudes. If Sherpas use them on Mt. Everest, this lowland sherpa is sold.

Ferrocerium Rod (Firesteel)

In the bushcraft/survivalist/prepper community, ferro rods have the hyped reputation of being a fail-safe fire maker. The device is simple and won’t malfunction, they say. Scrap the metal off the rod, and, poof, you have a fire, even in the rain.

Of these three ferro rod techniques – push, pull, and thumb lever – the latter is my favorite on softer firesteels. It offers more accurate placement of sparks. The drawback is that the thumb lever requires more fine motor skills and coordination which go bye-bye in an adrenaline spiked emergency scenario.

Advantages

• Scraped with a sharp rock, broken glass, or any object sharp enough to remove metal particles, 1,500º F to 3,000º F sparks spontaneously combust as they meet air.
• Sparks even in wet conditions.
• The average outdoors person will never use up a ferro rod.
• Can ignite many tinder sources.

Disadvantages

• They are consumable… eventually.
• They’re difficult to use if you’ve never practiced with this tool.
• Intermediate skill level needed.

Fresnel Lens

A quality fresnel lens is useful for starting fires, examining plants and insects, splinter and tick removal, and reading navigational maps.

Sunshine is loaded with electromagnetic energy in the form of photons. A fresnel lens simply harnesses the energy to a focused point creating enough heat to start a fire.

Increase your odds of solar ignition by keeping the lens perpendicular to the sun’s rays and the tinder. Move the lens closer or further away until the smallest dot of light strikes the target. Brace your hand to steady the spot of heat. Smoke should appear almost immediately. Afternoon sun is stronger than morning sun.

Advantages

• Beginner skill level. Ever drive ants crazy with one as a kid?
• Can ignite different tinder materials
• Lightweight
• Saves other ignition sources on sunny days.
• Never wears out. Always protect your lens from scratches and breakage.

Disadvantages

• Dependent on sunshine.
• May only create an ember which can be coaxed into flame.

So now you know exactly what you need for reliable fire starting! To learn more helpful survival info, check out Survival Sherpa.