The plastic bag approach can be used in two different ways, as an air bucket or when modified as an air funnel.

When used as a bucket the bag can be held open while scooping air into it then quickly closing the open end. That end is held closed by one hand and directed over coals or at the inlet of a Dakota Hole. The other hand presses the bottom of the bag while the open end of the bag is carefully released.

As a funnel a plastic water bottle can be cut around the middle circumference and the bottle’s neck can be poked through the bags bottom corner where it can be affixed with duct tape. The neck can be held or taped onto the inflation or exhaust port on an air mattress or raft.

When the open end of the bag is spread open it automatically fills with air, then when it is closed quickly by hand it can be pressed closed to begin inflation. There is a commercial version called an “inflation bag” or “pump sack” that is used to inflate pack rafts.

In any case plastic bags can be a helpful tool while camping and should be considered as part of your provisional gear.

A friend of mine, and fellow firecrafter, was demonstrating a method of blowing that can be done from a distance while the bundle rests on the ground, thus avoiding the heat and smoke normally associated with the hand-held method. He used his fingers to direct his breath in a focused manner, enabling him to grow the ember from a distance.

As shown in the top photo the tips of both thumbs and forefingers are held together thus forming a small diamond-shaped hole where they touch. Your lips are placed over the top and bottom of the thumbs and fingers while you blow through the hole and the resulting channel of wind can be focused on the coal in the bird’s nest. Properly done there is no sound produced when blowing. Your cheeks act like a bellows to gather air while blowing through the hole. You can practice aiming your breath while blowing over dry dirt or blades of grass to see where the air stream hits.

He mentioned that by tradition the name of the “diamond” method is prefaced by the State where you learned it as long as it is outside of the State that you were born in and so this method and tradition is passed on to the next firecrafter. He also encouraged me to use this method to blow out the candles on my next birthday cake and “wow” the crowd in attendance.