Thread: COLD WATER SURVIVAL

1-10-1 Good to know. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Bigskyfisherman

Very sad. Several of my family and friends always carry a waterproof tube with matches and some kind of flammable material.

I think everything was wet that day, but makes me want to keep a propane torch with electric striker in the boat. I use one in the shop when I light a fire out there and it will get one going pretty quick. It should also help get wet wood going too.

Good point, Reaper. We have been able to get a fire going even when everything is wet, but it takes time and energy to strip enough thick bark off of downed logs and use the "stringy" material underneath, along with the tinder in your tube, to light the underside of the bark. He wouldn't have had the time nor energy to perform the task. His only hope would have been to find an overhang with dry material underneath. We have been praying for his family.

One thing I try to keep in my pocket where it would not come out, is a kit out of my survival pack I have when hunting the mountains. Take cotton balls and coat them with Vaseline, and put them in a medicine bottle. I have them, a lighter, flint/steel, space blanket, and a whistle in a ziplock. You can take two cotton balls and pull them out to the size of a softball and strike the flint/steel into it in a rain storm and it will burn for quite a while. Teepee you some small limbs before hand and put the ball under them for a quick fire.

This accident was a reminder to us all to be more careful when outdoors especially in these frigid temps. I myself now carry an extra change of clothes and am considering wearing purchasing an inflatable life vest. We all think we can better prepare for things like this but sometimes you just need to use your head , stay in the bed that am or try a creek out of the wind.
Nothing worth risking your life over. We may need to have one of these fire starting tests at crappie camp and bring an airboat so you boys that think you could have gotten a fire going have a reality check. Praying for all involved for gods hands to help them through this.

Darryl you are 100% correct. After retiring from the fire service after 22 years, we spent a lot of hours on Kaw Lake searching for missing persons on multiple occasions. There was never a good outcome. If you look back at Kaw's history, it's not good. Several people have lost their lives on this lake over the years. As you said, know when to stay home. Some people will go no matter what. It's a recipe for disaster. This lake and all lakes are dangerous in the right conditions as it has proven many times. Have to use that common sense. When fishing in the winter months, you have to be prepared for everything. A simple fire starter that can be carried in a pocket is several cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly (Vaseline). You can put them in a small plastic bottle sealed with a lighter stored in a small ziplock bag. They burn for a extended period time and produce a fire hot enough to start smaller wet wood. Carrying an extra set of clothing as Darryl mentioned along with a way to start a fire may save a life. You only have a very short window before it's to late to do something.

Something that was on "Dual Survival". Potato chips, Fritos, etc. burn easily and will last quite a while when you need tinder to get a fire going. I have used them, and they work well, although carrying a bag of chips around would make less sense than the cotton balls. On the other hand, if you were lost and starving, Fritos would taste better than cotton balls. Smiley face.

I have a cold kit in my boat now too. I dedicated a huge metal army can to my boat. It takes up a lot of room, but i have the room and some things had to go! I now carry a Full set of dry clothes, bibs, coat that are over sized so they will fit anyone. I carry lighter and waterproof matches. A box of the huge matches with fire starter and one of the BIG fire starter logs. It will burn 45 min on its own. Everyone should have a plan. Time is not on your side.