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Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 7:10:44 PM

MercTech

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Joined: 7/4/2006
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There seemed to be more interest than I expected in another thread about emergency equipment so I thought I'd start one on home made camping/emergency/survival gear.

Hobo Stove:
seal-able metal can (paint can, coffee can, etc.)
corrugated paper.. cut up cardboard box
wax - canning paraffin
Assembly:--
cut cardboard to within an inch (2cm) of the top of the can.
Roll cardboard into a large roll and stuff in the can.
Melt paraffin and pour into the can soaking the corrugated board
Use:
Light cardboard and it acts like a huge candle sufficient to place a cook pot over.
When done, smother the flame in the can then let cool
The advantage on this is it has no shelf life and doesn't leak (solid fuel). The disadvantage is the smell of burning candle and the soot it generates.

Tinder box:
Not many know what a tinder box is so I'll elaborate. A spark from a flint and steel will not light a pile of wood. You need tinder to catch the spark so you can gently blow it into a flame to ignite your kindling. "Char cloth" is an easy way to do this. A Vaseline impregnated cotton ball works but not quite as easily.

One metal in. i.e. a metal Altoids box
One sheet metal screw
Some bits of fabric.... natural fiber only... cotton, linen, wool but NO polyester or nylong (just makes a vile gooey mess)
A sheet metal screw
Heat source

Prepping tin:
Put a hole in and insert your sheet metal screw. This is for a seal-able vent hole.

Prep the char cloth:
Cut bits of fabric and stuff in the tin.
Remove the sheet metal screw and put to the side.
Close the tin (note, a tiny hole in the top is the only opening)
Put on heat source and leave until no gas is coming out of the vent hole.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Put the sheet metal screw back in to seal the box.
Doing this on the grill after cooking a meal is easy. Classically, when people kept a tinder box at all times, it would be done over a candle or campfire.
Note: You are are actually making a finely divided charcoal cloth. Antique tinder boxes would have a vent hole that slid shut. Engraved brass tinder boxes were an elegant gift in revolutionary war days.

In use:
Open the box
Strike sparks into the tinder.
Blow gently on the smoldering spark until it flames
Light your kindling
Close tinder box to smother the flame in it and save your tinder for its next use

Post #: 1

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 7:20:54 PM

TheHeretic

Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

We made those cookers in elementary school, only with the candle in a tuna or cat food size tin, and a coffee can above for the cooking surface. I haven't thought about them in years.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to MercTech)

Post #: 2

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 7:23:41 PM

TheHeretic

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Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

Two words on making char cloth: Dryer lint.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to TheHeretic)

Post #: 3

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:09:54 PM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

Survival gear?
All I have and need is guns because I know which of my neighbors *don't* have guns.
"Make sure you stock up on rib-eye steaks now."
"Oh, and they say you should have about 25 gal. of whiskey too."

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

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Post #: 4

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:11:49 PM

igor2003

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Joined: 1/1/2004
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Although I see them more as a novelty than a necessity I can see where there could be times that a fire piston could be useful. You can buy them, but there are a number of "how to" videos on YouTube on how to make them. For mine, I prefer using cotton clothesline for making the char cloth. Just make sure that if the clothesline has a nylon fiber core, to remove that before charring the rope.

In an emergency you can make a concave mirror for starting a fire out of an empty soda or beer can. Use chocolate, toothpaste, clay, or any other fine abrasive to polish the bottom of the can to a mirror finish, then use it to concentrate the rays of the sun onto a piece of char cloth to get an ember going.

For small things that need to be kept waterproof or kept in a single use size, cut plastic drinking straws into whatever length you need. Using needle nose pliers, squeeze one end of the straw shut and seal it with a flame (candle, lighter, etc.). Now you can fill it with any of a number of different things...salt, pepper, or other seasonings, ointments, etc. etc...then seal the other end the same way as the first. One thing I use them for is to seal in a petroleum jelly infused cotton ball in each one. Easy to carry, and the petroleum jelly doesn't get all over anything else in the bag/kit. Then just clip off one end of the sealed straw to access what is inside. By pulling the cotton ball only partially out and lighting it you have a very long lasting "match" or a mini torch. Use different colors of straws to "color code" them so you know what is in each one, and/or use clear straws so you can see what is inside.

_____________________________

If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy. - Red Green

At my age erections are like cops...there's never one around when you need it!

Never miss a good chance to shut up. - Will Rogers

(in reply to MercTech)

Post #: 5

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:12:59 PM

DesFIP

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Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
Status: offline

Solar ovens are relatively easy to make also.

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RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:22:06 PM

Dvr22999874

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There was also a thing called a 'hay-bale-oven' that the boy-scouts used to teach. It's like a slow-cooker that works by spontaneous combustion.

(in reply to DesFIP)

Post #: 7

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:23:23 PM

TheHeretic

Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

Survival gear?
All I have and need is guns because I know which of my neighbors *don't* have guns.
"Make sure you stock up on rib-eye steaks now."
"Oh, and they say you should have about 25 gal. of whiskey too."

LOL, Popeye.

My zombie apocalypse kit is a big gun, and a good location for an ambush, when some Beverly Hills survivalist comes along in his Range Rover full of gear, and decides he is far enough out to top up his fuel tanks.

If I'm lucky, the GPS will already be programmed with the directions to his self-contained bunker in the boonies.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to popeye1250)

Post #: 8

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:29:50 PM

MasterCaneman

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Joined: 3/21/2013
Status: offline

I don't know it this counts, but when I was more active in hiking, we had to deal with fire restrictions where we went. What we did was get baby food jars, a piece of tinfoil, and tealights. Cut the tin foil so it covers one-half of the inside of the jar (you'll have to jigger with it to make it stay in place or tape it outside), put tealight in, light, and if you have a bunch of them in a circle it makes a nice faux campfire with the added bonus of being able to instantly extinguish when the sheriff or rangers come to bust you for an open fire violation. We each used to carry one with us because they were cheap and disposable if need be.

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The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. ~ Sun Tzu

Goddess Wrangler

(in reply to Dvr22999874)

Post #: 9

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 8:51:25 PM

TheHeretic

Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003

For small things that need to be kept waterproof or kept in a single use size, cut plastic drinking straws into whatever length you need. Using needle nose pliers, squeeze one end of the straw shut and seal it with a flame (candle, lighter, etc.). Now you can fill it with any of a number of different things...salt, pepper, or other seasonings, ointments, etc. etc...then seal the other end the same way as the first. One thing I use them for is to seal in a petroleum jelly infused cotton ball in each one. Easy to carry, and the petroleum jelly doesn't get all over anything else in the bag/kit. Then just clip off one end of the sealed straw to access what is inside. By pulling the cotton ball only partially out and lighting it you have a very long lasting "match" or a mini torch. Use different colors of straws to "color code" them so you know what is in each one, and/or use clear straws so you can see what is inside.

If you want to seal the end of a straw, you just fold it over, and heat at the fold. How much time do you think everyone must have on their hands to waste on such a fools project?

Products like ointment come in containers that are specifically designed for them. Such packaging frequently has information about what the product is, and how to use it. Maybe a little safety info about whether or not to induce vomiting when the 4 year old think he's sucking on the straw full of grape jelly, and gets something that burns instead.

Gladware, freezer bags, duct tape, Zippo lighters and LED flashlights. Get a fucking grip, folks.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to igor2003)

Post #: 10

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 9:18:20 PM

igor2003

Posts: 1718
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003

For small things that need to be kept waterproof or kept in a single use size, cut plastic drinking straws into whatever length you need. Using needle nose pliers, squeeze one end of the straw shut and seal it with a flame (candle, lighter, etc.). Now you can fill it with any of a number of different things...salt, pepper, or other seasonings, ointments, etc. etc...then seal the other end the same way as the first. One thing I use them for is to seal in a petroleum jelly infused cotton ball in each one. Easy to carry, and the petroleum jelly doesn't get all over anything else in the bag/kit. Then just clip off one end of the sealed straw to access what is inside. By pulling the cotton ball only partially out and lighting it you have a very long lasting "match" or a mini torch. Use different colors of straws to "color code" them so you know what is in each one, and/or use clear straws so you can see what is inside.

If you want to seal the end of a straw, you just fold it over, and heat at the fold. How much time do you think everyone must have on their hands to waste on such a fools project?

Products like ointment come in containers that are specifically designed for them. Such packaging frequently has information about what the product is, and how to use it. Maybe a little safety info about whether or not to induce vomiting when the 4 year old think he's sucking on the straw full of grape jelly, and gets something that burns instead.

Gladware, freezer bags, duct tape, Zippo lighters and LED flashlights. Get a fucking grip, folks.

Do you really think folding over is going to be quicker than cutting to size and sealing while holding with pliers? I doubt the time difference would be significant. And if you are doing this while watching the evening news, then I don't see time as being a real issue.

Someone that is backpacking or traveling light isn't likely to have a 4 year old along. Ever think of that? Also, when traveling light for a few days you don't want to take the the full sized, bulky tubes that add weight. There are complete industries dedicated to making equipment lighter and easier to carry, just for backpacking and traveling light. This aids in that endeavor. I would assume that people using this method will have read about whatever they are putting into the straws. Sounds like you haven't thought that far ahead.

Gladware, freezer bags, duct tape, Zippo lighters and LED flashlights, all have their place. But that place isn't EVERY place. I guess you haven't figured that out yet.

_____________________________

If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy. - Red Green

At my age erections are like cops...there's never one around when you need it!

Never miss a good chance to shut up. - Will Rogers

(in reply to TheHeretic)

Post #: 11

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 9:31:46 PM

TheHeretic

Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003
Sounds like you haven't thought that far ahead.

Oh, FFS.

Backpacking, and being able to get yourself and family through an emergency or disaster aftermath are different worlds.

Have a lovely evening.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to igor2003)

Post #: 12

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 11:24:46 PM

TheHeretic

Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline

To my way of thinking, the most important home made item in a disaster kit is access to what is in it. Since I have to contemplate the chance of my whole fucking house collapsing in a big earthquake, one locker of emergency supplies is strapped to an outside wall in the garage, right near the back door, and a good tool for ripping through debris lives in the outdoor shed, with a case of drinking water.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

(in reply to TheHeretic)

Post #: 13

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/2/2014 11:24:52 PM

ResidentSadist

Posts: 12580
Joined: 2/11/2007
From: a mean old Daddy, but I like you - Joni Mitchell
Status: offline

Long ago, in more civilized days, underground days, my survival kit equivalent was a piece of carry on luggage with $25k in krugerrands, clothes, a fake passport and the offshore account information.

Now I have guns, emergency lights, radios, food and enough ammo to kill over a thousand targets . . . not to mention a 3 ABC gas masks hanging in the dungeon and enough duct tape to seal up a skyscraper or build a waterproof duct tape yacht.

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Post #: 14

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/3/2014 4:48:56 PM

MalcolmNathaniel

Posts: 1394
Joined: 9/20/2010
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"Waterproof duct tape yacht."

Prove it.

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Post #: 15

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/4/2014 2:03:24 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

Survival gear?
All I have and need is guns because I know which of my neighbors *don't* have guns.
"Make sure you stock up on rib-eye steaks now."
"Oh, and they say you should have about 25 gal. of whiskey too."

LOL, Popeye.

My zombie apocalypse kit is a big gun, and a good location for an ambush, when some Beverly Hills survivalist comes along in his Range Rover full of gear, and decides he is far enough out to top up his fuel tanks.

If I'm lucky, the GPS will already be programmed with the directions to his self-contained bunker in the boonies.

Oh yeah, people like that won't last long.
Like shooting fish in a barrel!
And just for kicks you put out a funny sign to make them stop; "Girl Scout Cookies ahead; "Sexy Lingerie for 300 pounders and up"; "Brandnew Oldsmobiles."

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

(in reply to TheHeretic)

Post #: 16

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/4/2014 4:54:19 AM

PeonForHer

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Joined: 9/27/2008
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Water candles. All that's required is vegetable oil (but most types of oil will do), some bits of string, any glass or glass jar, a disc cut out of stiff-ish plastic, and water.

Youtube vid instructions here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVstHFzHNmc

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RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/4/2014 5:03:45 AM

PeonForHer

Posts: 19612
Joined: 9/27/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003
Sounds like you haven't thought that far ahead.

Oh, FFS.

Backpacking, and being able to get yourself and family through an emergency or disaster aftermath are different worlds.

Have a lovely evening.

Certain amount of truth in that, to be sure - but in emergencies here my first port of call is my rucksack and its usual camping-and-hiking contents. Friends downhill from me and living near the docks here in Bristol have their rucksacks packed and ready by their front doors for 'emergency camping trips'. Large low-lying areas of England are getting flooded now and police are knocking on doors at all times of the day and night.

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RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/4/2014 5:21:38 AM

MariaB

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Joined: 4/3/2007
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Having lived on a yacht we had to have an emergency kit. That kit was in a grab case by the door and opposite rail that held the life raft valise.

It contained: Fresh water, water purification tablets, medical and trauma kit, vacuum packed food, Mobile VHF and spare batteries, flares, survival blankets, whistle, torch, needle thread, knife, fishing equipment. When we were on a big sail it also contained our boat documents, insurance papers and passport.

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Post #: 19

RE: Home made emergency/survival equipment - 1/4/2014 8:23:20 AM

MercTech

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Joined: 7/4/2006
Status: offline

Dryer lint... if from 100% cotton it works fine. I tried some that was from drying polyester fabrics and it stank so much I threw it out and went back to making char cloth where I could control what fibers I was lighting up.

I do try a lot of things as how our ancestors did things is of interest to me. re SCA

Fire piston, aka fire syringe, was a common kitchen tool until the introduction of matches in the mid 1800s. A quick youtube search can teach you much more than I could relate here. Fairly easy to make with hand tools and nothing special in the way of materials is needed that can't be found with a quick trip to the hardware store. You can make the old school Malay version with no modern parts at all. BTW, a fire piston has purportedly been found in burial sites from 300 BC.

Whiskey... not in the survival kit with the exception of a pint flask, just because. But, I do have stacking stainless steel bowls in the kitchen. Have you ever seen a "dish still"? Works fine for small batches and the parts are not recognizable by "revenooers". <grin> My great grandmother made her own brandy on the stove despite living in an area where the possession of alcoholic beverages was criminalized. Actually, I'd rather make rum. Sugar cane juice is easier to ferment than starting with grain mash.

A lot of people these days do not realize that properly cured bacon, ham, etc. DOES NOT require refrigeration. The ham of our great grandfathers didn't have a greasy watery consistency and you usually soaked it in water overnight before cooking to rehydrate and reduce the salt content. Could you cure your own meat if you had to?

A lot of our "ethnic foods" were really survival foods of yesteryear. i.e. camp/travel rations. Take "grits" for example.
What do you do with a supply of hard shell corn that keeps well but can't be eaten as it is?
Grind up and cook into cakes (cornbread)... palatable but most of the food value is lost without processing the corn first. (see pellagra and rickets)
Soak the corn in lye water and it puffs up. Whoopee, you have "hominy" and the caustic treatment has freed up all the nutrients in the grain. But, it goes bad in a few days after treatment and a two day soak isn't conducive to travel. (BTW, the difference in corn meal and masa flour is that masa flour is soaked in lye water overnight and ground wet while corn meal is ground dry from the whole grain)
Dry the hominy and grind up. Woot! You have "grits" that will keep forever if kept dry and vermin free and can be cooked up over a campfire by adding water and boiling.
A similar treatment can be given to wheat to make "farina". "Cream of Wheat" is probably the most common brand in the U.S.

(in reply to MariaB)

Post #: 20

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