Great new page on the forums.
Just wanted to share a few things that I think are important skills that all should know. Feel free to add to it. Honestly a lot of these skills were taught in Boy Scouts which I'm not up to the current state of that organization. I'm a little younger than the old timers on here at 41(heck prob the age of a lot of guys kids on here.)
1. Know how to read a map and use a lensatic compass.
2. Know how to make a fire when it's wet.
3. Have two ways to make a fire and fire starter.
4. Keep a sharp pocket knife on you at all times where laws allow.
5. Know how to build an emergency shelter.
6. Know how to stop bleeding, how to splint a limb and cpr.

    Will be following.

Quote from: Joe J on October 26, 2023, 07:47:16 PM
Great new page on the forums.
Just wanted to share a few things that I think are important skills that all should know. Feel free to add to it. Honestly a lot of these skills were taught in Boy Scouts which I'm not up to the current state of that organization. I'm a little younger than the old timers on here at 41(heck prob the age of a lot of guys kids on here.)
1. Know how to read a map and use a lensatic compass.
2. Know how to make a fire when it's wet.
3. Have two ways to make a fire and fire starter.
4. Keep a sharp pocket knife on you at all times where laws allow.
5. Know how to build an emergency shelter.
6. Know how to stop bleeding, how to splint a limb and cpr.

Great, wonderful fine, now tell us how to do it, this is what this is forum is for is to tell us how to make a fire in wet conditions. Yes, I know how but let's see if you can tell us a little bit further on how.....


That is what our New forum is for.... Don't just making statements, but show us how. That way. Younger people can figure out how and find out how to survive in the world that we are about to come live in.

2x ^^^^^^

"2. Know how to make a fire when it's wet."

I mean like this for example.... I know a bit about how to do this, but I might learn something if others share.... I'll try to chime in also when I get the time. 

I've had good luck starting fires when it's raining/wet out by finding a cedar/pine tree & scraping away the top layer of pine needles laying on the ground. The needles underneath that top layer should be nice & dry and make great fire starters.

Having a sturdy fixed blade knife is also very helpful in starting fires when there's inclement weather. Find a dead log/branch (ideally one that isn't out in the open so it isn't as wet). You can break it into smaller pieces, then take the knife & flay open the bark making essentially as thin of cuts as you can so it will start easier.

Hopefully I explained that well!

I realize that this is an old post, but a great tip for starting fires in wet weather wby using the thin loose bark of a yellow birch tree. Get it from standing timber on the driest side of the tree. It is thin, burns hot even when it is damp.

This tip may be viewed as cheating, but when I am going to be miles from my vehicle in cold or wet weather, I usually carry a small plastic container with cotton balls soaked in Vaseline petroleum jelly. One or two cotton balls will start a fire using damp tinder. Plus serves double duty as lip balm and can help with chafing issues.