A Survival Skill That Changes Everything
There are few things more humbling than trying to make fire with your own hands.
It looks simple—two pieces of wood, a bit of friction, and suddenly you have heat, warmth, survival. That’s the story we tell ourselves. But when you’re out in the bush, tired, hungry, and the cold is creeping in, you realize fire isn’t just about comfort. It’s about staying alive.
And yet, in that struggle, in the sweat dripping down your back as you work the spindle, in the frustration of trying and failing and trying again, something shifts. Fire is more than just survival.
It’s a teacher.
And if you listen, it will show you exactly what you’re made of.
Why Fire is the First Skill You Should Master
In a survival situation, fire is non-negotiable. It keeps you warm, purifies water, cooks food, signals for rescue, and even boosts morale when everything else feels impossible. Without fire, you’re exposed—to the cold, to predators, to hunger.
But making fire without modern tools is a lost art. We’ve become so reliant on lighters, matches, and gas stoves that most people wouldn’t know where to start if those were taken away.
So let’s strip it back. Let’s return to the fundamentals.
Here’s how to create fire using nothing but the land around you.
Making Fire: A Survival Essential
Step 1: The Fire Triangle
Fire needs three things:
🔥 Heat – The spark or friction that ignites the flame.
🔥 Fuel – Dry, combustible material like wood or grass.
🔥 Oxygen – The breath that feeds the fire.
Remove one, and fire dies. Survival fire-making is about balancing these elements.
Step 2: Fire-Making Methods
🔥 Bow Drill (Friction Fire) – A reliable but skill-intensive method.
You’ll need: A fireboard, spindle, bow, handhold, and tinder nest.
How it works: Spin the spindle in the fireboard’s notch using the bow. Friction creates heat, forming an ember. Transfer to tinder and blow gently.
🔥 Pro tip: Focus on steady rhythm, not speed.
🔥 Flint & Steel (Spark Fire) – A simple, time-tested method.
You’ll need: Flint, a carbon steel striker, and char cloth or dry tinder.
How it works: Strike flint against steel to create sparks. Catch them on char cloth, then transfer to tinder and blow.
🔥 Pro tip: No char cloth? Use dry plant fibers like cattail fluff.
🔥 Fire from Ice – In freezing conditions, use ice as a magnifying lens.
You’ll need: A clear, smooth ice lens, direct sunlight, and dry tinder.
How it works: Focus sunlight through the ice onto the tinder. Wait for smoke, then gently blow to ignite.
🔥 Pro tip: Ice must be bubble-free for proper light focus.
Step 3: Building & Sustaining Fire
Once you have an ember, build your fire with:
🔥 Tinder Nest – Fine, dry plant material to catch flame.
🔥 Kindling – Small twigs to grow the fire.
🔥 Fuelwood – Larger logs for long-lasting heat.
🔥 Fire Stacking Methods:
Teepee: Fast, high flames—best for quick warmth.
Log Cabin: Long-lasting burn—great for cooking.
Lean-To: Wind-resistant—ideal for harsh conditions.
🔥 Pro tip: Feed the fire slowly—too much too soon can smother it.
P.S. Ready to Learn Firecraft in the Wild?
Join us for Nature ONE, a five-day immersive survival skills experience in the heart of the wilderness.
📅 March 25 – March 30, 2025
📍 TBC, Northern NSW
🔥 Learn fire-making, shelter-building, foraging, and more
Because fire is just the beginning.
