As an aside. When I bailed out in a snow storm in the arctic
(Greenland) I took the booklet included in my survival pack and tore
out the tropical instructions and used to start a small fire.
On matches the kit contained a small container that held 12 or so
'kitchen' style matches. Container was water proof and anyone
interested might look in some of the military surplus stores to see if
they have any.
While there was water in the survival kit in a sealed container, I
always carried about a extra quart of water in several smaller
containers. If one got broken in crash I still would have extra water
(which is a life saver).
Heavy coat, gloves and knit cap. Set of knit long johns would be nice
also. For those who say don't need this in summer need to send a few
night in mountains where it gets cold at night even in the summer.
This clothing if selected with the down or plastic filling can be
rolled into a very small package and only weigh a couple of pounds. It
can be stuffed in almost any little space in cabin that is not used
for any thing else. Air out at least once a year.
A knife and other things are also high priorty but basic life saving
items are a necessity.
Hope you'all never have to use a survival kit.
Big John
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On Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:49:54 -0400, Roger
wrote:
On 8 Jun 2006 09:42:43 -0700, wrote:
wrote:
MATCHES
...
The two basic types of match are those which may be scratched anywhere
versus the 'safety' type which can on be struck on an abrasive pad
treated with red phosphorus. The 'strike-anywhere' type are
preferred since there's no need to provide for the special
striking-surface.
The surprise came from hearing some folks insist that the
'strike-anywhere' type of match was not available, at least to
them. I assume they are the victim of some do-gooder regulation which
allows only the sale of 'safety-type' matches in their locale.
Before the last long trip we took I specifically went shopping for
"kitchen matches" IE the ones that come in the large box. When I got
them home the damn things were safety matches and I didn't want to
have to take the whole box with me. After several days of hunting
with no success, I gave up.
I did find the Tapers (SP?) or fireplace matches work well, but are
expensive and you end up throwing most of each one away, but they are
great if you don't want to get too close to the fire. OTOH a box of
the things have enough wood to make a small fire :-))
As to the paraffin, as a boy scout we dipped the whole match, usually
molding 6 or 8 together. When we wanted one a thumbnail would peel
one off the bunch and clean off the paraffin to the back of the tip.
You learned to hold them hot end up as with all that paraffin you
could get quite a blaze including your fingers when held hot end down.
The new LED flashlights are great. I have several. Some have switches
like the old flashlights that are momentary when pushed part way down
and toggle when pushed all the way down. If you know the Morse code
these can be really handy IF whoever sees it can read Morse. I have a
couple that are a single LED on a flexible "goose neck" and a clip
that will hold them to my shirt. The brightness is just right for the
panel. I had one of the earlier single LEDs that also was about the
right brightness and it would clip on to the bill of a cap which meant
they lit up where ever you were looking. Unfortunately the cheap
plastic clip broke. OTOH I have a TAC light with 5 LEDs and they
are BRIGHT!. In the center is a single red LED that can be seen from a
long way off.
Knives: I almost always carry a "box cutter" that folds up like a
jack knife, is all metal, has extra blades, and clips to my belt.
There is usually one in the glove compartment with the spare batteries
and flashlights.
Tinder: You look for tinder with a chart case full of bible paper?
Of course this is assuming that you can get back to the stuff in the
plane you are not carrying on you.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com