READERS COMMENTS

Now you can start a fire a different way by actualy stabbing the Battire with a knife that works well.
Posted: Oct 28, 2011 Bill

learned this tip years ago in boys life magazine. at the time they recomended you have an adult present when you try it. if i remember right it said to use any battery from aa to d size batteries. it's easier , and cheaper than using your cell phone battery.
Posted: Oct 28, 2011 that native guy

I'm not a battery expert but I wouldn't be shorting out terminals on my phone battery just for the fun of it. I also think its funny that in an "emergency" he happens to have that tinder and not any other form of fire. This video should be on how to start a fire with almost any battery. Like a few people have mentioned, 9 volt works well and if you ruin the battery you don't have to pay $$$$$$$ for a new one.
Posted: Oct 04, 2011 DiEgO

cool
Posted: Oct 03, 2011 oooo

I tried to demo this in front of 7 or 8 of my boy scouts, and ended up buying a new $30 phone battery. (And no fire) I'd stick to 9 volt batteries and only use this technique in a real emergency. Makes for a funny story though.
Posted: Aug 24, 2011 Andy J

Shorting out a lithium-ion cellphone battery is a really bad idea, even in an emergency. They can explode or burst into flame if they're shorted. Then again if they do burst into flame, you've accomplished what you wanted to do. I guess.
Posted: Jun 27, 2011 Kaboom!

Small waded up balls of dryer lint dipped in parafin wax in a zip lock, tinder. A back up to make a fire in case I need to dry clothes and warm up. Not my idea buy I'm going to try it this weekend. :)
Posted: Jun 08, 2011 rick

9 volt and steel wool also works. Carry it because you are smart. Vaseline burns easily too.
Posted: May 02, 2011 lorrie

I do, its in my firestarting kit at all times along with matches a lighter a little knife and some flint
Posted: May 01, 2011 Alex

Every good scout knows to have steel wool, dryer lint some other quick starting tinder in their pack.
Posted: Apr 27, 2011 Keith

Why is Backpacker Magazine is promoting this video? Lets get real. Who carries steel wool in there backpack?
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 Brian

Seriously, Why would anyone carry steel wool in there backpack?
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 John T

Just keep a 9 volt battery and some xxx steel wool in your back pack. Not much weight and save the cell phone for trying to call for help.
Posted: Apr 22, 2011 carlan

In prison we lit a cigarette off 1 AA battery and staple.
Posted: Apr 19, 2011 Me

Careful doing this with Lithium Polymer batteries found in most newer smart phones... Lithium Polymer or LiPo for short tend to explode very violently when shorted and can very quickly cover you with molten battery guts causing severe burns... NOT the kind of fire you need in an emergency situation...
Posted: Apr 04, 2011 Dustin B

why risk a short?You can do the same with a single AA size battery and a little know how.As a last resort-maybe but you would be better off retaing your phone incase you come across network coverage.A lighter still works better
Posted: Mar 23, 2011 michael

This is great stuff~ I am a scout master and you can never learn of too many ways to start a fire; esp. in a survival situation. I knew of using steel wool and two D batteries to get a fire started. Now I have another tool in the box. Thanks.
Posted: Jan 13, 2011 Skip Shephard

thank you for the survival bracelet.
Posted: Sep 07, 2010 Virgil Heuer

great info, thanks.
Posted: Sep 02, 2010 Lolo

In my bug out bag I have a lot of redundancy when it comes to the core elements of survival. Lighter, ferro rod, magnesium, waterproof matches, and cotton balls saturated in Vaseline. You showed me one more thing I didn't even know I had. I never carried steel wool and a 9 volt as I figured I was overkilling it as it is. Nice vid though!
Posted: Aug 18, 2010 Silverlion

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