Early in the morning, in preparation for the class, I scoured my yard for edible plants and found seven different varieties that we were able to handle and taste later that day. After initial orientation the class began with a Power Point presentation where we discussed survival priorities, shelters, water acquisition and purification, edibles, and firecraft. The presentation was followed by hands-on activities.

I found that my passion for these skills will need to be tempered in length in order to allow more hands-on time for the students. It is my belief that their own personal experience will have higher impact on comprehension and skill development. During the hands-on portion each student was able for their first time to successfully use a ferro/mag bar to make a fire. I was also able to demonstrate other firecraft methods such as traditional flint and steel along with more modern adaptations. We also examined a water distillation set-up made from house-hold items.

It’s rewarding to be able to pass on the mantel of preparedness to others and in the process make new friends.

While attending a recent event I spotted a grove of bamboo adjacent to the activity area and decided that I would acquire some shoots in order to learn more about their edible nature. In the photo I am shown using a multi-tool to cut them loose. Since then I have learned that by clearing debris from around the base of the shoot you can just bend it over and it breaks off nicely. Some varieties of bamboo in other countries are so large that they require a small mattock to chop them loose. It’s best to select shoots that are short (ten inches or less works best).

When in the field you can eat bamboo raw when freshly picked but the shoots start to become bitter when stored. Bamboo shoots will keep up to two weeks when refrigerated. To prepare bamboo you just strip off it’s outer leaves which leads you to a buttery yellow core. The older shoots may be more green in color. Alternatively you can cut the shoot lengthwise which makes the task of stripping the outer leaves off much easier. Traditionally bamboo is chopped in small slices or julienne cut pieces then soaked over night in rice husks to remove the inherent bitterness. The bamboo shoots can be cooked by either boiling or stir-frying.

Either way that you choose to prepare bamboo shoots they are fun to eat with a wonderful texture.

After setting up my display I was approached by a 71 year old woman who with great enthusiasm announced that she was a Prepper and was actively making provisions for potential natural disasters or other catastrophic events. I listened as she shared the variety of activities she did in this pursuit. I asked her if she had ever made a fire using a ferro rod and she replied “no”, so I asked her if she would like to learn how, to which she enthusiastically replied “yes!”.

I pulled out one of my ferro/mag bars and showed her the construction and purpose of the design and then demonstrated the technique of pulling the rod out from under the striker to keep the sparks centered on the tinder and thus not disturbing the tinder pile by using the opposite approach of striking down the rod with the striker. I handed the device to the woman and had her take a few practice sparks. We learned that this larger ferro/mag bar was an asset because of her arthritic condition and enabled her to hold it well enough for the task.

She had success on the first strike! It’s moments like this that make these events so rewarding. She was able to walk away with a new skill that now helps her to be better prepared. It’s also refreshing to see the festival craftsmen demonstrate their skills so that we can become better prepared too.

I explained that my instruction is different than the more recently publicized Prepper trend in that I focus on more immediate short-tem emergencies such as when a person because of circumstances becomes stranded. I teach how to stay alive, how to find help or become found. In tandem with that, I show ways to exploit the resources on hand. This approach provided the other end of the spectrum from the bunker approach that Stephanie wanted to present to her audience.

The extent of my provisions for our discussion fit into a 20 gallon bin. The items were geared toward a power outage scenario in an urban setting which accommodated for loss of heat, light and water, but I also show Stephanie some local edible plants that she sampled. I demonstrated how some trash items could be useful when you don’t have proper tools. while searching for edibles I came across a beer bottle and demonstrated how to remove the bottom by hand so that the piece of glass could be used as a knife. I also mentioned how car headlights could be used to start a fire and how a plastic Gatorade bottle could be used to make soup by rotating it over an open fire.

Having the correct tools for the job is always preferred but it also pays to know how to improvise when you don’t. Thanks to Stephanie, her viewers now know that there are ways that they can prepare for catastrophic events on a shoe-string budget whether “bugging out” or “bugging in”.

Reflective Solar Fire Method

The mirrored surface of a headlight reflector is described as “concave” in shape, similar to the interior surface of a rounded cup. It reflects light from a light-bulb that is mounted inside it and shines outward. Some of the newer headlights use a “convex” lens that transmits light through it. It is fashioned from a solid material such as glass or plastic that focuses the light from a light-bulb outward as well.

Refractive Solar Fire Method

After introductions I initially spoke on the scenario of a local power outage and how it could effect living conditions. I suggested helpful equipment and associated provisions that the audience could acquire in preparation for such an event. I also brought samples of improvised tools like a can that was turned into a pot for cooking or for purifying water. And, of course, what would one of my events be without some type of “fire”, so I demonstrated how an empty flintwheel lighter could be used to make a fire as well.

One of the things that I enjoy about these events is that I get to meet new folks and I often learn things from their experiences and so we have a great exchange of knowledge and ideas. Part of this event was open for discussion and we were enriched because of it.

The interview covered a number of topics but initially I introduced myself, recounted my pursuit of bushcraft and survival skills and how I got started with Survivaltek. There were also practical questions such as “why did you want to teach people how to survive?”, “give us an idea of an emergency situation (and) what things around the house (could) you use to help us survive?” and “If you’re going out camping… what are some basic items that you feel people should take with them?”.

In addition, I was able to mention the classes that I offer which you can view on my classes page. My current plans are to hold classes the third Saturday of the month or by appointment. Those who are interested in taking a class should register ahead of time to guarantee their place in the class with associated materials.

You can view the video on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4LVLUAtGAs. I was very pleased with the interview and appreciated the great interaction with Drew and Alex.

Throughout the day I met CTA members and some had traveled from as far away as Maine. From my area I could watch activities underway such as trap shooting and static clay pigeon target shooting. There were special events for kids as well. It was a treat to see the variety of bows, arrows and associated equipment made by vendors and members alike.

At each event that I attend where I set up a campfire, I like to start the fire using different techniques. This particular morning I used a “trash” broken car headlight reflector. By placing tinder where the bulb used to be and pointing the reflector at the sun, I was able to get a coal burning in short order. I also demonstrated this method using a metal mixing bowl as a reflector as illustrated in the photo.

In keeping with the genre of the event I demonstrated a more traditional fire method using the bow and spindle. The first demo went fast and easy but a second demo later in the afternoon was hampered by windy conditions. I made several attempts while a group of volunteer firemen watched. Growing tired, I offered one of the fellows a chance to continue the process. On his second try he created a beautiful coal and was successful in achieving his first bow and spindle fire. Now he can make fire AND put it out!

I enjoyed myself at this great event and look forward to participating next year. You can check out the Carolina Traditional Archers website at: http://thecta.org

I happened to be visiting an industrial facility at the time and it was early evening with the sun lowering on the horizon. I grabbed a small amount of dry shredded bark mulch off of the landscaping and located two pairs of reading glasses. I spotted a friend who I asked to take pictures with my phone’s camera while I began to focus on the tinder. Although the wind was rather brisk, in short order smoke began to appear and with continued focus a large sized ember took shape. I set down the glasses and clutched the tinder and began to blow the ember into a flame. My friends cheered and we were delighted with the results.

Now that we have passed the Spring Solstice, experiments like this are performed much easier. Reading glasses are straight forward magnifiers whereas prescription glasses my not have the same capability due to various optical corrections. In any case, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with this solar fire method because you never know when it might be needed in an emergency.

I followed the information that I was given but without success. The following week I viewed the television program “Dual Survival” where Joe used the same method using a “D” sized battery which initially failed. The hot point in the middle of the foil strip burned out and separated into two pieces. However, Joe created sparks by touching the severed ends and was able to generate a flame. There was some comfort in that achievement but I still wanted to use only a single AA battery and a single piece of foil.

Today there is a wealth of survival skill techniques and information on the Web, especially in the Social Media and after viewing a number of sites I was able to find an excellent video by GreenHHO on YouTube that was strait forward and easy to replicate, enabling me to successfully create a flame with just the wrapper strip and a single AA battery. Thus, I wanted to provide written instructions for my readers.

Items that you will need: foil gum wrapper , fresh AA battery, and a pair of scissors.

1) Take a foil gum wrapper and cut a 1/4″ wide strip lengthwise.
2) Fold the strip mid-length in half on the foil side.
3) At a 45 degree angle cut 2/3s of the width off the fold leaving 1/3 uncut that connects the 2 halves.
4) Pinch about 1/4″ at the middle while separating the 2 halves out to form a straight line.
5) Fold 1/4″ at each end in the opposite direction of the middle fold.

The folded piece of foil should resemble the “bracket” symbol.

6) Place tinder above the mid-point to capture the flame that is created when you place the AA battery between the 2 ends and touch each terminal simultaneously.

This is a marvel of sorts but it has practical applications in emergency situations, so take time to practice this fire method as it could save the day in the future.