Wilderness survival kit items should include a lighter
The conditions that lead to a survival situation are unexpected. Even experienced outdoor guides have found themselves alone in the wilderness without matches or a lighter. Without even considering the sturdy little knife on the Original LIGHTER·KNIFE, the Bic lighter alone is one of those survival gear must haves. Let’s take a look at some of the ways a lighter can be useful in a survival scenario.
Warmth
The single biggest danger those stranded in the wilderness face is exposure. Maintaining your core body temperature is not optional. A fire can provide lifesaving warmth in many environments. Bic lighters have been around for a long time and have proven themselves to be a dependable way to start a campfire.
Light
Fire can also provide a welcome source of light when the sun goes down. This effectively extends the length of the day so that you can attend to your other needs, even at night. Your lighter can also be used in short bursts to provide some illumination if you are in the pitch black with no other light source.
Water purification
The gold standard for making water safe to drink is boiling. If you have a container or can improvise one, your fire started with your lighter will allow you to turn questionable water into water that is safe to drink.
Safety
Large animals aren’t usually the danger that most people think they are. That said, in some environments, a fire could be helpful in scaring off potentially dangerous animals.
Signal
In a survival situation, one of the most important things to do is signal for help. A fire will provide a highly visible signal at night. During the day, wet vegetation can be placed on a roaring fire to create smoke that can be seen for miles.
Cooking
While food is a low priority in a survival situation, the ability to cook any food you do have can be an enormous moral boost. If you are lucky enough to have caught a fish or other small game, cooking makes the meal safer to eat, easier to digest, and tastier. In a longer-term survival situation, the smoke from a fire can be used to preserve meat.
Fire is a tool
Fire can be used as a tool to modify the materials around you. It can be used to cut logs in half, fire-harden spear points, and burn concavities into wood to form bowls.
Psychological comfort
For most of us, a survival situation will be unfamiliar, unsettling, and stressful. The presence of a fire brings a form of companionship and familiarity that many find immensely comforting.
Conclusion: carry a lighter into the wilderness
In a survival situation, being able to create fire can easily be the difference between life and death. Though there are many ways to start a fire, few are as easy and reliable as a disposable butane lighter such as a full-size Bic lighter. Whether this lighter is part of your LIGHTER·KNIFE tool or on its own, you’ll be glad to have this essential piece of survival gear in your kit.
* When you purchase through Amazon links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This does not affect the price you pay on Amazon.