In today's world of reality shows there are many different kinds out there. Storage unit, booze making, fishing, gold, bartering and the list goes on. It is to some extent entertaining, but how much is really real? How much is staged? We will probably never really know. But is it really important? It's entertainment.
One kind of reality show out there many of us like, is the survivor ones. There is Survivorman, Dual Survivor, Man vs Wild, and for a short while there was a husband and wife show. These shows glorify the art of survival. They are practical how to sort of shows. They teach us to think and use ingenuity.
The real question is if you were on an adventure and the worst case scenario happened. Could you survive? If you had to start a fire, gather food [ie bugs, grubs, and even worms] could you do it?If you were hungry enough I suppose we might eat just about anything.
But a couple of things you need to note. First of all, what the shows don't tell you is this: Don't leave the house on a adventure without being properly prepared. These people in the shows have the proper clothing for the environment they are going into. They may not have matches or food, but they are otherwise prepared. This may be the most critical part of a survival scenario.
Think about it this way, if it is in the thirty degree temperature range and it is wet out, and you don't have the right clothing, how are you going to survive a night out? What about two nights?
So go out prepared. Take the right kind of clothing. I know you cant take the kitchen sink, and that isn't the point. Ask your self if you would rather leave the rain gear home to save weight, or take it just in case? Sometimes we over stuff our packs with more then we need. However if we needed it to survive we would be glad we took it.
Give it thought and be creative in what you take. Just don't take for granted that the weather "will" be good. Sometime the unexpected happens. And it's not just the weather. A fall could result in a injury that could leave you unable to walk.
The second point is could you start a fire if you had to? You may say of course I carry matches. That's a good idea. But what if they got wet, or they were old and wouldn't work? The reality shows show many good ways to start a fire in a bad situation. But with our above scenario, could you start a fire when you are cold, wet, and all the fire starting materials are wet, or damp?
Here's a word to the wise. Don't think you can start a fire with a fire bow, rubbing sticks together, or even using a fire piston. The survivor shows all make it look so easy. Believe me it isn't. It takes a lot, and I mean A LOT of practice. You will fail many times and maybe even never be able to start one that way. So haw can you have a backup plan?
Well first of all always carry fresh matches. No Brainer. But Since it is so hard to start a fire rubbing sticks together you need a fool proof way to start a fire that doesn't weigh you down. Here is the solution: Take a cotton ball. In fact make three or four of them. Soak them in WD-40. Put them in a small leak proof container. Also carry a flint striker, or something to create a spark. When you light this soaked cotton ball it instantly burns and, burns like a candle for a while.
It is effortless and could make a difference of life or death.It doesn't take up any space, nor does it weigh anything. You can see how easy it is in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=624t_ivH8Es The cotton ball is toward the end of the video.
The bottom line? Be prepared before you go. Disaster often starts before you leave the home. And don't think this wont happen to me. It happens to the best of us. Those who survive are the ones who are prepared.
So enjoy the reality shows for what they are. Entertainment. And if you want to start a fire the way they do go for it. But don't wait to be in an emergency situation before you try it. Practice it until you master it.If you cannot do it as many of us can't, then find a fool proof way to start a fire in any situation you may find yourself in. Find what works for you and take it with you.
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