Survival Kits – Candles

I’ll talk about how to make your own simple survival kits for your car, backpack, fishing bag, or one to take with you while outdoors. Let me start with the basic need to be able to start a fire. I have always insisted that people who attend my outdoor shows have a candle of some sort in their kit. The size may vary depending on the size of your survival kit. In a little medicine cabinet I keep those little birthday candles. Here’s the kicker though, buy the ones that are trick candles, you know, the ones that relight when you blow them out. 2-3 of these in a small kit can make all the difference in starting the fire. I like small votive candles to carry in my vehicle. While stranded in a vehicle, I know that having just one or two of these on the dash will provide comforting light and burn off the moisture created by your body. The aluminum base will keep the board from burning, but I like to place it on my coffee mug or even a credit card if it gets too hot.

A candle should be the first thing you light with your match. Dripping hot wax even on damp wood will help it light up. A larger taper candle is good to carry in a backpack, just cut it into 4-5 inch lengths for the best fit. A candle will also burn longer than a match and won’t get too hot like a lighter will. Also take a small piece of aluminum foil, simply fold a 12 x 12 inch piece into a small square. Aluminum foil can provide a base for the candle to light on, and if folded around the candle, it can reflect light and heat back to you and prevent the wind from blowing it out.

Candles provide a feeling of warmth and comfort in difficult times. Some other ways to light a candle include a cigarette lighter or even the cigarette lighter in your car can light the wick of a candle. One survival technique I used while camping and discovered I hadn’t carried a candle in my backpack is to find some wood pitch on the sides of pine trees. Pick up and roll a ball of pitch around a small stick, light the pitch with a match or lighter, and use it to light your woodpile. Remember, be prepared for what you least expect to happen!