Do you consider yourself a modern person? Do you really think that you can handle any complexity and problem? In principle, it can be assumed that this is the case. That's just, as practice shows, the average person can be proud of his omnipotence only as long as he does not leave his usual habitat. Shall we check?
Section 1. How to start a fire without matches? Relevance of the issue
21st century in the yard. We have learned to fly to the moon, with the help of the Internet you can find almost any information, and foreign languages can already be learned without leaving your computer. All this is called scientific and technological progress.
How about simpler but vital things? Have you ever thought about whether modern man can survive, say, in the wild? Does he know how to start a fire without matches, or how to build at least a temporary shelter from the rain? Sadly, the answers to these questions are likely to be negative.
In general, if we look at the statistics, it turns out that most urban residents cannotkindle a fire even with a lighter, but they don’t even know about the various ways of making fire.
That's why you shouldn't forget about the school of survival. You never know where and when it can come in handy. There is an opinion that every man should know how to make fire without matches, but women should also heed our today's advice. This, you see, is the most important skill for survival.
Section 2. We list the main ways to solve the problem
How to make fire without matches in the forest? Is it even possible?
It is absolutely clear that any moisture or dampness will spoil all undertakings. Here, it would seem, there is nothing to argue about. Even a junior schoolboy guesses that in order to get a fire in the forest without matches or using them (at this stage this is not so important), you will need dry rags or leaves, by the way, ropes, gauze, chopped bark or dry moss, etc. Let me say that this is only a minimal set of components. So to speak, the most accessible to a simple man in the street.
From a scientific point of view, there are four main methods to solve the problem:
- chemical;
- textbook (using a lens);
- using friction force;
- hard.
Now let's talk about each of them in more detail.
Section 3. Chemical method
Probably, some of us remember from school that a reaction of potassium permanganate and glycerin can cause a flammable mixture. If you have access tothese components for "cooking" the fire, feel free to act! In this case, you can easily solve the problem of how to light a fire without matches in the field. Just 1 g of potassium permanganate, poured onto pre-prepared rags, and a couple of drops of glycerin is enough. But I would like to warn you right away: as soon as you drop the glycerin, quickly remove your hand, because the fire will immediately begin to devour the offered "gifts".
Section 4. How to start a fire without matches. Long, but reliable - a textbook way
Using a lens from glasses, binoculars, a telescope, a convex bottle, an aquarium or other shaped glass, you can focus the sun's beam to create a fire. For example, Robinson Crusoe from a well-known and beloved book from childhood, before getting a fire without matches (what matches and a lighter can be on an island?!?), diligently used watch glasses.
Section 5. Ready to work hard? The tedious way
It is possible to build a fire by friction, although this is a very tiring and not always rewarding exercise. To begin with, a bow is made from soft woods, but a rope will perfectly perform the role of a bowstring. A "drill" will be any pointed stick. The support should be made from dry hardwood logs, such as pine or oak.
The source material is first cleared of bark. Then you need to drill a hole in it 1-1.5 cm deep and carefully cover it with tinder. The drill must be wrapped with a bowstring, inserted with one ring into the hole, tightly laid tinder around. Only after that, firmly pressing the drill with the palm of your hand, you need to useright hand to quickly move the bow. This should be done perpendicular to the drill. Important: in order not to damage the palm, a fabric gasket is placed between the drill and the hand, it can be replaced with tree bark. After the tinder has smoldered, it must be well inflated and put kindling, which is prepared in advance.
Section 6. The Hard Way
For this method, any stone can serve as a material. It is convenient enough to knock out a spark with a steel knife or other metal objects. The success of such an activity is hard to predict, because it all depends on luck and a very dry basis for a fire.
Section 7. "Effort and labor will grind everything"
This proverb is recommended for those who, in spite of everything, nevertheless decided to learn the science of how to make fire without matches.
It should be immediately warned that making fire by friction is the most difficult method. It's definitely not for the faint of heart.
In general, there are various methods to get fire by friction. However, the most important aspect is the type of wood used for the plank and spindle.
A spindle is a stick that you will twist to create friction between it and the board. Juniper, cypress, aspen, willow, cedar, walnut are considered the best materials for plank and spindle. To use a tree for making fire by friction, like, in principle, any other, the wood must be taken exclusively dry.
Section 8 Hand Drill Method
Honestly, he isthe most primitive, but at the same time the most basic and difficult. All it takes is wood, tireless hands and determination.
Build a tinder nest. As tinder, a material that ignites with a single spark, it is best to use:
- birch bark;
- dry grass;
- pine needles;
- wood shavings;
- tinder fungi (crushed and dried mushrooms);
- wax paper;
- fluffy cotton;
- burnt cotton cloth;
- spruce cones.
Make an incision by cutting a small indentation on the plank. Under this cut, it is worth putting bark to catch the ember that arises from friction. Start turning by placing the spindle in the recess. As a rule, it must be approximately 50 centimeters long for this method to work properly. Rotate the stick between your palms until an ember appears.
As soon as a spark appears, quickly transfer it to the previously prepared tinder nest. Gently blow on it, everything is ready - the fire is burning.
Section 9. Fire Bow Method
Considered to be the most efficient way of making fire, which is based on friction. In this case, you will need to use a bow and a drill.
Make a tight bow. To do this, pull a rope, belt, lace onto a stick. Then make a hole in the dry wood. Next, quickly and for a long time twist the shaft in the hole with a bow. As a result, you should get a black powder. As soon as a spark appears in it, it must betransfer to tinder.
Section 10. Flint and steel
In general, it should be noted that this is an old and reliable fallback for those who do not know how to make fire without matches in the forest or in the open.
Actually, it's a good idea to always take flint with you on a hike. After all, matches can get wet and be useless. Otherwise, you can still get a spark from a piece of flint.
The flint and steel remains the ideal option. In addition, you can always improvise with quartzite and the steel blade of any knife.
But that's not all. According to experts, you will definitely need a charred piece of fabric, which can be replaced with a dry piece of mushroom, birch bark.
- Take the stone and cloth.
- Place a piece of stone between your thumb and forefinger, with the edge protruding 7 centimeters.
- Pinch the fabric securely with your thumb and flint.
- Start sparking. To do this, hit the flint with steel or a knife blade several times, you will see that the sparks will fly away to the fabric, thereby causing a glow.
- Put the sparkling cloth into the tinder and gently blow to start the fire.
Section 11. Using the lens
In general, all methods based on getting fire with lenses are considered the easiest. Before making a fire without matches, you just need to focus the sun's rays on a specific place.
Also suitable for this purpose:
- magnifying glass;
- glasses;
- binoculars.
By the way, if you add a little water to the lens, the light beam will become more intense. Try to tilt the glass in such a way that the rays are focused to a point with the smallest possible diameter. Put tinder in this place, you will soon be able to get fire.
The only downside to this method is that it only works when there is sun. And at night, you will have to use other methods.
Section 12. Creative approach
Don't know how to start a fire without matches? Try to do it in an original way - and have fun yourself and surprise your friends.
So, in addition to the traditional methods, there are three completely unusual, but quite effective methods that are based on the refraction of rays.
- Balloons and condoms. If you fill a balloon or a condom with water, they will turn into a lens. True, they should be kept at a shorter focal length from the tinder - 1-2 cm.
- Fire from ice. Get fire from a piece of ice. This method is extremely useful for winter camping. But for the method to work, the ice must be completely transparent and about 5 centimeters thick. Then shape the ice into a lens, buff it with your hands to a smooth finish, and use as a traditional lens.
- "Coca-Cola" and chocolate. You will need an aluminum can and chocolate. Moreover, the bottom of the first should be polished with the second, toothpaste is also suitable. After grinding, you get a parabolic mirror. It remains only to catch the sunlight and where the rays are focused, put tinder.
