Got Fire?

Got Fire?

From time to time, my husband and I watch the shows on the Animal Planet channel….One show in particular (I Shouldn’t Be Alive), we have dubbed, “I’m Too Stupid Too Be Alive”….while we joke at the title we have given this show, we can’t help but be curious as to how people get themselves into the situations that we witness them experiencing (via actor re-enactment). It is very frightening for me to think that anyone I know, love or care about would ever find themselves in some of the life-threatening circumstances portrayed on the show.

Life essentials: Air, Water, Food….in that order, by priority.

For me, there is another component essential for survival.

Fire.

I would squeeze in the “ability to start and maintain a fire” somewhere between Air and Water, in the above list, to me, it’s that important. You could be saying to yourself…..”Well, sure. Fire is nice, but is it a life essential? “

What fire can do for us in an extreme survival situation: It can…..

Make that nasty water you just found in a rotting tree trunk or mud hole, drinkable.

Cook that piece of whatever-it-is, you just found, and you’re thinking about eating, and kill entities in it, that might otherwise invade your digestive system and kill you later.

Provide protection from animals, and even human predators when used as a weapon.

Provide a ray of hope, through its light and warmth, that will sustain you through darkness and cold.

The ability to make fire, without the use of matches, flint and or magnesium fire starters is more of a challenge than one might think. Oh sure, our survival manuals all tell us to keep those items on hand at all times, and if you’re a fellow survivalist, you do have those things on hand. But what if……..

I challenge you today….yup, today…..do a bit of online research, learn what you need to do to start a fire, UNASSISTED, then get off the computer, and go outside and make fire!

The first time you do it, is a once in a lifetime feeling….

Come back and tell me how it went….pictures would be nice too J

FarmGirl