Chemical survival

With global terrorism an issue that has become a very real threat since the events of September 11, 2001 in New York City, it has become necessary for governments all around the world to put into place some contingency procedures for if a chemical attack were to take place. War zones too, are other more obvious targets.

Although the vast majority of ordinary citizens might still have little knowledge about how to detect a chemical attack and how to deal with it, in a survival situation, knowing the basics (if there is no strategic plan to follow) could help to save your life. The possibility of this occurring could become reality if you were caught up in a war zone, for example.

Detecting Chemical Agents

Sophisticated chemical agent detectors are the best method for detecting a chemical attack. However, it’s more likely that in a survival situation you are going to have to rely on your physical senses.

Your sense of smell can sometimes give a strong indication that you’re in the presence of chemical agents. The scent of almonds is a common one and the smell of freshly cut grass or hay in places where you least expect it, is another. Unfortunately, however, many chemical agents used in germ warfare are completely odourless.

You are much more likely to become aware of the possible presence of chemical agents through visual observations.

For example, in its liquid form, mustard gas can often appear as oily patches on buildings or on the leaves of trees. In solid or vapour form, you’ll often see a mist or thin fog appearing after the bomb has been detonated. However, an even clearer indication will be given by observing people and animals who may show signs of abnormal behaviour.

Obviously, if you’re located close to a war zone, your hearing will also come into play because the sound of gunfire and missiles is also going to be an indicator.

Make fire anywhere

It has been assumed here that you want to look for flint in order to use it as a natural means to start a fire. If so, you can find flint wherever you can find chalk and the likes of uprooted trees and creek beds are usually a good place to start. Granite or any good quartzite will also do the job.

However, if you’re faced with a survival situation, time will be a precious commodity especially with regard to keeping warm and the last thing you want to be doing is searching around for something to spark a fire so the best thing you should do is to buy a flint fire starting kit. You can pick these up for around £20 from most specialist outdoor adventure shops. As well as the flint stick, the kit will comprise a piece of steel and the many outdoor enthusiasts say that the best ones consist of a magnesium block as the shavings you get from that will produce an intense heat far more quickly.

When you strike the spark, you’re basically shaving off minute fragments of steel with the sharp edge of the flint –the harder the steel, the hotter the fragments and the sharper the flint, the more sparks you will generate. Strike downwards at an angle on the steel so that the fragments fall onto the tinder you’ve collected and eventually the tinder will catch alight. Depending on the heat you’ve been able to generate, you may need to cup the tinder in your hand as soon as you see any signs of smoke and blow on it gently to make it ignite.