Neglecting forest expeditions without a tampon will always be a practice I shun, learned from my Survival Camp experience.
Starting Fires in the Wilderness: Unconventional Methods and Essential Skills
In the heart of Germany, at the Survival Camp Wense in Peine, Stefan Winkler leads individuals on a journey to master wilderness survival skills. One of the key skills taught is fire-making, a crucial aspect of staying alive in the wild.
Stefan Winkler, a seasoned wilderness survival expert, emphasizes the importance of a ferro rod, a small, portable tool that can create sparks and last a lifetime. Regardless of conditions, a ferro rod always works, making it an indispensable tool for any outdoor adventure.
But what about unconventional items? Surprisingly, a tampon or a Kinder chocolate bar can be used as tinder for starting a fire in the wilderness.
Tampons are highly effective as tinder due to their cotton fibers, which catch sparks easily and burn quickly with a strong flame. By fluffing the cotton into a loose, airy nest, you can catch sparks and ignite your fire in survival situations.
Kinder chocolate wrappers, while not typical fire starters, can be useful as kindling. Their thin, dry, combustible foil and paper material help flame catch more easily or be combined with other tinder for ignition, though they are less reliable than natural or cotton-based tinder.
Preparing birch wood for a fire is simple. Cut it into small pieces, scrape small pieces of birch bark with a knife and pile them up for use as tinder. Keep the fire going by adding more birch bark and gradually introducing birch wood.
Stefan Winkler demonstrates these methods during his courses at the Survival Camp Wense, which offer day and weekend courses for learning essential wilderness survival skills.
In addition to these methods, traditional techniques like using natural tinder (such as dry leaves, grass, or small twigs), friction-based techniques like bow drills or hand drills, and modern urban methods like using a battery with steel wool are also effective ways to start a fire in the wilderness.
With a ferro rod, tampons, batteries, and chocolate in hand, one can face long hikes with confidence, knowing they have the skills and tools to start a fire in any situation.
[1] Wilderness Survival Handbook: Essential Skills for Wilderness Emergencies [2] The Ultimate Survival Guide: How to Prepare for Any Disaster [3] SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere [4] Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
Fire-making skills are essential for wilderness survival, and Stefan Winkler's Survival Camp Wense in Peine, Germany, provides unconventional methods to master these skills. Surprisingly, tampons and even Kinder chocolate wrappers can be used as tinder, with tampons being highly effective due to their cotton fibers that catch sparks easily. While outdoor-living enthusiasts may not typically consider home-and-garden products like tampons as survival tools, incorporating such items into one's lifestyle can prove advantageous in unexpected survival situations.
