03/04/2019
HOW TO USE FIRE STARTER...
Magnesium, Nature's Safe Fire Starter
Magnesium is the seventh most common element in the earth's crust but don't expect to stumble upon some in the wild when you need to build a fire. Magnesium is highly reactive and isn't found as a free element in nature. Processed, it's lightweight and strong with roughly 2/3 the density of aluminum.
Magnesium powder or shavings are highly flammable, burning with an intensely white light and once started, it's difficult to extinguish..
USING A MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER....
1. Gather the supplies. The first step to build any fire, regardless of the technique, is to gather the supplies you will need. Collect a sufficient amount of tinder, kind]ing, and fue] to get the fire going. I'm using some cedar bark for the tinder and small twigs for the kindling.
2. Build you structure. Using the supplies you've collected, build a fire making structure to receive the ember once you get a stark. There are three primary structures: the teepee, the lean-to, and the log cabin. In this example, I've built a simple teepee structure. (refer picture attached below)
3. Prepare the tinder bundle. Once your structure is ready, make a small tinder bundle that will catch the sparks from the fire starter. Place it as close to the structure as possible.
4. Shave some magnesium. Using your knife , multi-tool, or a metal blade that came with the fire starter, shave some tiny flakes off of the magnesium block. Smaller pieces work best. Keep at it until you have a pile of magnesium savings in your tinder bundle about the size of a half laptop's mouse. =)
5. Deliver the spark. Using your knife, multi-tool, or a metal blade that came with the fire starter, strike a spark to ignite the magnesium on the tinder bundle. Rather than sliding the blade down the flint toward the tinder, it's best to hold the blade stationary and slide the flint toward you. This keeps the sparking point closer to the tinder. It may take several attempts for a spark to land on the magnesium shaving and ignite it. I've also found that using the back side of the blade, called the spine, is preferable so the flint doesn't dull the edge.
6. Nurture the flame. When a spark lands on the magnesium flakes, they will ignite and burn bright and hot. The heat generated will spread to the tinder, catching it ablaze as well. You may find it necessary to coax the young flame by gently blowing on it to give it some additional oxygen. Cradling the bundle in your hands may also be necessary, adjusting it to allow the young fire to spread.
7. Carefully move the lit tinder. As the fire in the tinder spreads, carefully slide it into the fire structure that you've created. You can use a couple of sticks to push the bundle under the structure if it's too hot to touch.
8. Carefully add ingredients. Fire needs to appropriate combination of oxygen, fuel and heat. As your structure catches on fire, add oxygen by blowing on it and fuel by placing slightly larger and larger twigs and sticks to it. Don't rush it. Give it time to grow. Putting a log on the flame too early will crush it, depriving the flame of precious oxygen.
Practice Using The Magnesium Fire Starter
Whether you're stranded in the cold, wet, hot or dry regions. being able to make a fire in a survival situation will give you additional tools you need to survive. And as a bonus, will add comfort and security to a trying and stressful time.
But don't wait until you're in the situation to discover the fire lighting techniques. Like all survival skills, practice using this technique until you can safely and quickly light a fire under a variety of conditions.
credit to :
preppingtosurvive.com
