How to start a fire in the rain | Survival Training | Tactical Rifleman

One of our biggest issues with our current society, is our total lack of basic “survival-skills.” We are so caught up in our smart phones and reality TV, that most people can’t even light a charcoal grill without lighter fluid. You can buy all the sexy gear you want; however, if you don’t know how to use it, you are screwed. Knowledge is power and knowledge can be your best tool in a survival situation. Being stuck, lost in a blizzard, is the wrong time to be trying to learn how to use your new store-bought Firestarter. Get out there, now, and practice those “survival skills” before you really need them.
While food, water, shelter are all high on the list; for me, personally, I think fire is one of the most important skills anyone can learn. Yes, there are hundreds of ways to light a fire. No, just having a match isn’t going to cut it.
So, keeping with the Tactical Rifleman concept of always using Subject Matter Experts, I decided to reach out to Randal “Rawhide” Wurst, to do our first fire video. Randy is an old retired Green Beret buddy of mine, and a great American. Not only does he teach his own survival school (Wurst-case Scenario Survival sites.google.com/site/rockcas... ), but Randy literally helped write the SF Survival Manual back when he was an instructor at the Bragg school house.
Randy’s logic is that you should never be caught without certain tools. Even “Ötzi the Iceman” (the frozen caveman found in Germany) was found with tools, including flint and tinder. He preaches that you should always have at least three ways to do everything. The old adage “two is one, and one is none” is taken to the extreme in Randy’s world. We shot another set of videos, showing Randy’s layers of survival gear. (When you watch them, count how many knives Randy carries!!!)
We use a candle in this video. Watching how easy it worked, will convert you to toss a candle or two in your kit. I know I’ve started carrying the little Tea Candles(I add two extra wicks). Randy likes his to be in a sealable tin, like a Altoids can, to protect the wick. Either way, the main thing is to ensure your candle has a base to catch all the melted wax, so you can keep reusing the same candle.
Again, knowledge is power. Just you being on this website puts you light-years ahead of all the “Xbox360 generals” out there. Now, take the next step and get outside. Try different techniques. If you already have mad “survival Skills,” it wouldn’t hurt to brush off the dust. If you don’t, you’ll at least identify areas where you are weak and need training. You don’t know what you don’t know.
If you are really serious about mastering these skills, you need to get out there and attend some professional training. Remember, when the shimmer hits the fan, your family is going to look up to you to save the day. Either you are ready or you are not.
Where to train? We offer a “Modern Survival” course at Tier-1 Group. We’ll cover everything to get you back home safe with your family. Courses are custom-tailored to your individual needs. Now, if you want to train with the “Best”; I’ll point you directly to Randal “Rawhide” Wurst. Just shoot me a comment below, and I’ll get you in contact with him. I assure you, that when he gets done with you, that you’ll be ready for that “Wurst-case” scenario.
Help support Tactical Rifleman by purchasing one of our T-shirts, check them out at: ballisticink.com/collections/...
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[@benanthony9422]

Tactical Rifleman’s “what to do when your wife makes you sleep outside after selling your wedding ring for ammo money,” video for beginners

[@MaineGirlOutdoors]

Hahahaha! Good one!

[@tylerstrahan8884]

​@@aniya8759 lowkey the 1820s would have been dope

[@davids.5903]

...just single handedly destroyed every survival expert who ever appeared on Naked and Afraid. 😂

[@jackd2083]

I like the candle idea but when I really need a fire and it’s windy and wet I just pull a road flare out of my pack. Works every time.

[@mikeh3559]

hey theyre just as abundant as candles and matches in a post apocalyptic world. just ask the mailman.

[@02337755]

This was an awesome idea. Thanks Jack!

[@StonnieDennis]

Had me cracking up at, "Boo, whoo, whoo,...I can't find my truck"...

[@shaunnicholson5389]

Thanks for posting this guys and for all your other great videos. They really are GOLD and it is appreciated from us like-minded individuals who seek to up-skill ourselves. From my little corner of the world in New Zealand I salute you and thank you once again. On another note, your shooting tips have really helped my 3-Gun shooting as well as my tactical approach to firearms. Simply Brilliant.

[@gcjctc2]

My Dad ex Air Force, taught me the “log cabin” and “teepee” methods of building a fire when I was a kid. Love you Chief Master Sargent JTC

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching. TR

[@johnwicksfoknpencil]

Plot twist: it was ethanol he poured all over the pile.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Of Course it was... that's why we both lost our eye browse.

[@johnwicksfoknpencil]

Tactical Rifleman Lmao

[@tokenfinnishguy8714]

One guestion: the wood was soaked for a small amount of time, but what about the almost rotten with water plywood we have here in the northern Finland in constant rain, that stuff wont light up without at least a flamethrower.

[@rcarrollmassage]

Diesel from your truck

[@jonyjonsy]

The wood was an actor

[@DerbyMods]

Tea candles are amazing for starting a fire

[@rightwinggunnut1]

karl, by god i stand by last post. this is the best frickin channel on youtube, or anywhere. thanks for more great info brother. stay safe, Brad. the dude by ft polk

[@KambizNazir]

Out of all the videos you have on KZbin, this has to be the BEST video. And the funniest 😂 thank you

[@josho1459]

Did anyone else see the boom mike at the beginning of the video?

[@B61Mod12]

Great channel TR. When talking about lighting a fire in the rain you could discuss being picky about where you are sourcing your tinder, kindling and fuel. Search for it under rock crevices and hollowed out trees where it is naturally dry(er). Many trees in North America have very flammable sap, and you can even make a candle from scratch in the field from pine or fir (or other) sap. Also if you anticipate having to light a fire in wet conditions that evening source your tinder early in the day and keep it in your pack or on your person where your body heat can force out the moisture. Probably the best trick to using wet fuel is the "feather stick" (check it out) or even just cutting away the wet bark/outer layers of the wood and only using the inner, dry core. Similar to the candle idea, but even more compact and hardy, is rubber. Take an old bike inner tube and cut it up into strips and keep a few strips in your survival kit, a strip of rubber will burn similar to a candle. If you have done the above preparation, it will provide sufficient flame and heat to start a fire in wet conditions. Successfully lighting a fire in any conditions is a balance between the preparation and your management of it once you light it. I see people all the time do reasonable preparation, light the fire and just sit back and watch it die. You gotta make sure the flame is on the fuel. Blowing on a fire can be so effective, it increases the airflow and oxygen, enabling the fire to burn hotter. If your fire is struggling, blow on it and watch it turn into a furnace. Just don't breath in the smoke. Blowing on a struggling fire for too long will have a hyperventilating effect and can make you light headed. Cheers.

[@GrimrDirge]

I live between Ft Lewis and the Hoh rainforest. "In the rain" doesn't cover it. You can pick up a branch here in march and wring it out like a sponge. All soft wood that gets totally saturated after months of rain. It is a bearcat starting a fire.

[@181baddog]

"boo whooo whooo i am feeling sorry for myself" lmaoo geezus that brought me right back to Benning with a huge DS yelling at us saying shit like that 😂

[@robertbates6057]

As another old guy with many years torturing fire and being tortured by fire, I have to say, this may be THE most valuable fire making video ever. I suspect this may have saved lives.

[@kirko0176]

You can't teach how to start a fire in the rain without actually starting a fire in the rain. It's a completely different scenario.

[@HungryH1951]

When I was a teen we went on a hike in the WA state woods, about 12 of us. We quickly set up camp and went to fishing. Very suddenly a hail storm came up and hailed 4 inches deep, everything was soaking wet. Couldn't find dry sticks anywhere. Tried for 1 hour to start fire with no success, we gave up and got the hell out of there & went home just before night fall. We didn't have a candle and we were armatures but it taught me a lesson. Learn to start a fire in the rain when everything around you is wet. It could save your life.

[@patrickmcgee6309]

Are you saying what was taught in this video wouldn’t work in the rain?? Because yes what was taught here does work in the rain. I was active duty Army Light Infantry and then Light Infantry in the National Guard and when we were out in the field once it was pouring rain and I bet my squad leader I could start a fire (we weren’t in tactical training at the time). He said that he didn’t think I could do it. I started with very small twigs and built my way up and got the fire going just like he did in this video.

[@Realrobs]

I like this guy he’s down to the point and doesn’t spew bullshit. Like some other youtubers we won’t name

[@floridaplumber7512]

Next how to skin a squirrel

[@dexm2010]

I should probably subscribe....yeah I'm going to subscribe. This is useful stuff.

[@josiah513]

This channel is so fucking good! You guys deserve 400k subs, not 41k subs.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks! We really appreciate the feedback. Help us grow and spread the word by sharing with any like minded people. Strength and honor, TR

[@josiah513]

Will do!

[@thejagtimes]

He has 613k now! Just found this channel, I love it!

[@GetemBoysOutdoors]

“Boo hoo hoo, I’m out in the woods and it’s raining and I can’t find my pickup truck.” 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@VQ35HRTT]

Great channel, great content. 26k subs is crazy low, this channel's going to explode soon!

[@perlenbacher6788]

VQ35HRTT you where RIGHT.

[@gunsandgaragegear601]

273k subs now

[@Badmonkey2230]

465K subs now

[@50shadesofcerakote]

531k today

[@o0oitzJimmy]

561k on 9/21/2020

[@msyamil200]

This is one heck of a high quality content, and this channel is just so freaking good, love the details and the explanations, keep up man!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching, Tar

[@BT1776]

Great information and something I will remember the next time I go camping.

[@phillipnunya6793]

A small solar panel and an electric arc lighter is a good thing to have as a second option. It isn't as practical as normal lighters in most cases, but you can recharge it. It also can get much hotter than normal lighters and won't go out in the wind.

[@mikeh3559]

im having a really hard time deciding if youre serious or not.

[@phillipnunya6793]

@@mikeh3559 I am serious. Having a small solar panel is good any time you are outside often and have an electronic device. It won't charge itself, and you don't have to carry photons with you. An arc lighter is better that a butane lighter on several ways, but the most important one for this case is that it can get things much hotter faster. Good for high wind and hard to light stuff.

[@keithtomczyk4730]

Hey Karl, I keep a pack of Orion Fire pit flares in my day pack . You can light them in wet conditions and they burn hotter than a candle . Their burn times about 5 minutes so that in itself is awesome. May I suggest also, that in a rainy environment many tree caopies are better than exposed ground,and that Boulder face behind you is a great heat reflector as long as the fire is not too hot. Wet rock and high heat don't mix well. Also, when I'm out in weather that is damp with chance of rain. I dress in layers and wool. Wool can keep your core temp warmer even when wet. Great video. Remember one thing about hunting or hiking alone. Prepare for the Apocalypse .That includes letting someone know where,how long,and when you should be back at the latest. Great video.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for sharing, TR

[@andrewhollis6665]

if you can make fire, you have warmth, we all know how important that is, you then have the ability to cook, you can go on hard rations but.........this video is awesome.

[@canadianobserver7467]

Thank you guys. It's what I tell my girls all the time knowledge is king. You can have the best equipment but if you don't know what to do with it it is just dead weight. A great channel.

[@VanillaGorilla502]

Randy is one hell of a guy. I miss talking to him out at the range.

[@LB-pu2ec]

Great work guys, it’s an HONOR to watch and learn from you guys. This one will save someone’s life, I learned something today!!!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the kind words. That's our goal... helping others by sharing our decades of experience. We put out a new video every Friday. So, subscribe and catch the latest. Thanks for watching, Strength & Honor, TR.

[@takeshikovacs8756]

"Every spring they go out and find bodies of hunter, Hikers...." TRIGGERED!!!!! Predator Confirmed..

[@johnhewitt2853]

Big Foot ?

[@crankitupoutdoors5505]

Great info ,love this channel ! I carry a small sterno fuel can use ,seal off , use again . Cool ,wet no problem .

[@DK-nv9zu]

Tried this in backyard fire pit for the lulz. It works, but took me quite a few tries cause it was windy as hell. Thank you for the video!

[@teeprice7499]

One thing we carry in Alaska are some small, rolled up bits of roofing tar-paper. It dries the wood and lights it.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Squares of Bicycle inner tube also works great

[@bluejeans8001]

Great vid. Adding the candle tin to my kit👍👍👍

[@russellsinclair3805]

Just tried this in the back yard. With a little bit of patience, it worked a treat. Top tip. ATB from a soggy England.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

[@landonstokes4731]

This is the most useful KZbin video I've ever seen!

[@armandocruz2335]

Pretty awesome! Thanks for the Tip!

[@RSPDiver]

I’m enjoying the vids after discovering the channel a couple days ago. And you remind me of the Soprano cousin that went into the military instead of the family “business”.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Sash... it’s the whole witness protection program thing

[@tyler9064]

Lets say you don't have a candle. What iv'e learned is to scrape the wet layers off of the wood with your knife until you get to the dry layer. This will help get the fire started and then you can add wet logs later once you get a good layer of coals. Depending on how much it has rained that day i have found this method to work really well. All in all love the channel TR! Keep it up!

[@charlieghague]

Randy needs to go on that show Alive. He'd be out there chilling in his handmade cabin while others are struggling to find mice to eat.

[@mikec.6460]

That is really cool, I will be going over this video to have it thank you

[@GetMeThere1]

Excellent! I especially liked the bottle of water you poured on. Thanks!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Glad you liked it! It had rained for 3 days prior and stopped raining about 15 minutes before the film crew started recording... literally was close to being filmed in the rain. However, I can't control the weather and in the end, the film crew were a lot happier. TR

[@mikefleet8375]

PSYCH. That was a bottle of lighter fluid, not water! Aha, lol 🤣. Awesome video guys, keep up the good work!

[@waltero3035]

Truly educational and informative!

[@eliasbonilla8087]

Thank You both! Very Cool

[@deadontime2601]

I love the message in this

[@PaulTavaresEmpowerment]

Awesome. Glad you saved your hat too.

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

Karl… I love you man… doing the Lord’s work. It has been raining here in Memphis for 2+ weeks. I happened upon this video and went to try it out. It worked perfect, and though I’ve never tried, I would have probably died if I was trying to do this with a bic - if my life depended on it. Thank you!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching. Strength and Honor, TR

[@Dennisthemenace40]

Pretty amazing! Note to self, make candles!!!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching, TR

[@rightwinggunnut1]

Karl, you guys are so fuckin awesome...ive watched this vid like ten times just to stay refreshed and i will be trying this soon. When i do im gonna try to video it for you guys to pass the SF test! Thanks again man. Your humble student near ft polk!

[@100BlaQRaok.el_1]

I also remember coating book matches with candle wax in Boy Scouts.

[@foxcm2000]

Good: Using a candle to get a fire going. Better: Using wax from those mini-cheeses to make the candle.

[@lukepippin4781]

DonCornelius i have tons of that for exactly that purpose haha

[@warporcus]

Oh wow, Randall Wurst! Never thought I'd ever see him in person! Read about him in Masters of Chaos.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Randy is a great guy. We are looking at doing more survival courses in the near future. So, please stay tuned and thanks for watching Tactical Rifleman. Strength & Honor, TR.

[@josh5528]

Ruli Harahap As I was watching the video, I knew I recognized his name from somewhere lol

[@Supra_Dupra]

Great video guys! Any chance you have a video on how to make the candle device that was used to create this fire, or could you explain in a response please, much appreciated.

[@TacticalRifleman]

I guess we could do a video, but there are dozens of little survival andle videos out there, so I'll just talk you through it... Step-1: Take any little metal can with a lid, such as a Altos can or Altos minis (smaller can). Step-2: Grab some of your old candles, and break them up. Remove the wax-covered wick and drop them in a metal pot (don't just light and drip into can). Step-3: put at least one wick in Altos can. Step-4: melt candle wax over fire/stove and then pour into can. Step-5: let cool and then clean pot before wife finds it.

[@stephanies.larsen9597]

You guys are awesome!

[@tommoore6713]

Bravo! Can't wait to try this!!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Fun part is making your own candles. Thanks for watching, TR

[@mishasumi6827]

One of the things that works for me is to use newspaper soaked in gas. I roll it and tie with a wick string. Then I dip it in hot paraffin. When it dries it becomes a waterproof candle. I carry them in a tea tin box with matches and metal flint starter. Dryer lint also works in the place of newspapers.

[@TheeFatPanda]

Thank you!

[@TacticalRifleman]

You bet!

[@petermanetta2920]

Great video !

[@johnomahony7364]

Hey Carl. First and foremost...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE 🇺🇸 AND THE SAFETY AND SECURITY YOU HAVE PROVIDED US HERE AT HOME. Just happened upon your channel cause it was recommended by you tube based on my preferences and I was hooked immediately. All your videos are awesome and informative. Keep up the great work.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

[@tsmithdotks]

Priceless knowledge. Thank you, Randy and Karl. This channel has been teaching me a lot since I stumbled upon it a few months ago. I appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge and skills.

[@Kinny202]

Thank you for this!!

[@TacticalRifleman]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. TR.

[@hermitcrypto2787]

Have fun lighting that candle and sliding it in there gently during a torrential downpour..

[@AclockworkPurple]

I carry 2 of the longer emergency candles (you can cut them down) and aluminum foil to make smaller candles. I also carry Q-tips, the kind made of paper and cotton, for an improvised wick that can give you a more robust flame. A thin wood shaving can also work. You have some really good content here.

[@TacticalRifleman]

I used to carry those emergency candles. However, Randy is right; having the tin to catch the dripped wax really makes the candles truly reusable. Thanks for watching. TR

[@BigDipper907]

Nice. Always love learning new ways. Would’ve been cool to see more on how he made the candle part tho. Thx

[@TacticalRifleman]

We have a separate video on his candle making that you can find in our video archive. Thanks for watching, TR

[@ScottyM1959]

Great video Top! Does Randal train only at his location or does he train in other regions like the southeast to use more indigenous plants wild life and weather conditions? Or would he know people at the 6th Ranger training Bn in northwest Florida that teaches classes to the public?

[@TacticalRifleman]

Randy will travel to train. Reach out to him... he needs the work.

[@adammfanning3654]

Well done!

[@dbeau3977]

I learned this technique in 1971 as Boy Scout...

[@jpkarbunko]

No more Boy Scouts. Didn't you hear?

[@Wppk765]

Eagle Scout 2003 present and accounted for

[@240352065]

Kool deal,, boyscouts will love this,,

[@kentuckybrandon7448]

Excellent content Karl!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the Support

[@kentuckybrandon7448]

Tactical Rifleman always brother!

[@mikeh3559]

ok now you need to make a fire to light the candle.

[@congamike1]

Great! Thanks

[@AB-gc3mr]

1. Bic lighter 2. Steel Wool + 9V battery 3. Gucci magnesium FS 4. Baby food jar filled with 50/50 gas & styrofoam mix just a dimes width will burn for 10-15 min and you dab it in the middle of your birds nest. Also I’ve seen the pressure tubes that make a cinder hot AF and u drop that in your birds nest it will lite. Eventually I will but a cinder maker but there cool cause you can haveit hand from your neck with your survival knife and be good. Whittle your birds nest from the dried insides of a 4-6 inch wet tree, log, or branch. I once read something somewhere I wish I could reference but it went like this, I’m paraphrasing “if a woodsman brings anything other than a knife and canteen it is considered fear.” I’m not Demi God Woodsman tier but after hearing this, I strive to have the least amount of “fear/equipment” on me.

[@krombopulosmicheal2436]

Here's the funny thing thou in deep soaked rain it changes direction in flight so it's still difficult to protect the flame. I would say all ways keep a jacket or larger around to cover it better just to be sure. If it gets burned fuck it, life is more valuable than that jacket.

[@burtbiggum499]

Always keep a decent poncho

[@mitchcohn1800]

Great information 👍🇺🇸

[@helok9]

Would one of those tea candles last long enough to get a fire going?

[@andrewmvenegas]

I was going to leave a comment about here not being any rain, but then you go and douse the wood with water and I want to apologize for my sinister message thoughts. Most excellent example.

[@TacticalRifleman]

It had rained for several days and literally stopped as the film crew was pulling up. I have a lot of pull, but not enough pull to make it rain on command. Thanks for, TR

[@SherPunjabi86]

Hahaha I love these guys

[@lovejen01]

That is kool thanks for sharing this.

[@hellonearth-thehistoryofwa1270]

Is it Wurst case? ;p

[@emburgess7186]

I love Wyoming. I won't ever leave this state.

[@littlepils4187]

great technique .Thx,,,,. i'll l be teaching the grand kids this trick. another use for the candles in my kits.

[@rfcdgaf]

Whats the jacket being worn on the left?

[@charliemashara477]

That is a really important skill. EDIT: People may get away with not starting one, in dry conditions but in a survival situation that is really important. They may take food along with them. But in certain conditions one may need to do that.

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very impressive ! Kindly inform Randy that I am interested in taking a survival course. Thank you very much

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thomas, I will pass your request on to Randy. I believe we will be adding a Wurst Case Scenario Survival Course to the TR Schedule soon. Strength and Honor, Tar

[@jeffweaver955]

That was epic

[@sleuthdogunhelmeted7404]

Remember how every one battled to get a fire going in the first season of Alone?

[@RiverCrow_88]

Rad. This uses a lot of the same fundamentals I use. And I'll be swapping some tech out to use what he was doing. It's all about that constant heaet on dry wood. And that chimney effect to keep the wood drying. Teh thing I wouldn't do is build the structure in such a strategic manner. Doing it like an increasing size as you go up. It takes up so much of the stress work out. As well. I just realized why that cold weather fire took so so long to start without a steady initial flame. What I'd like to see is this done on 6 inches of hardpack ice and snow. It's a rough one.

[@mikeh3559]

ok i was thinking this channel would be on more primitive survival i was wrong thats ok still good particularly for while you still have the tools.

[@amalfi460]

Great tip!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching, TR

[@stevemazz3121]

Just carry some fat wood.... You can purchase a 40 pound box from L.L.Bean. You can start fat wood dipped in water with a match.

[@miker1645]

How would you light a candle with no lighter or matches? Maybe you said, didn't hear it though.

[@marco_marks]

Well first, bring a lighter/matches of course. If you didn't have that, you would have to figure something out with what you have. Ice can be formed into a lens to focus sunlight onto kindling. A car battery can be shorted to make a spark. Empty lighters still have Flints in them.

[@CalebAble]

That was great. Obviously you would need some wood chopping/cutting tool to make this go quickly in a survival situation.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Yep, like a knife

[@thomasnugent3836]

Very good, Thank you very much

[@JayVanSaxman]

Thanks for the geat knowledge you shared

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching, TR

[@JayVanSaxman]

Also thanks for your selfless service to our country

[@connerkubitz7208]

"oh no I'm out in the woods and it's raining boo hoo hoo" fuck that gave me flashbacks to ncos mocking me for putting on my wet weather top in the field.

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

Is the candle unique in any way other than in a small mint can? Special wax or special wick?

[@TacticalRifleman]

nope

[@alwaysarmed88]

What type of candle is best, decent size but not to big? I've heard of people carrying t-lights but they aren't that good. Thanks

[@TacticalRifleman]

You want a small candle. You want it in a metal case to catch melted wax. You also want three wicks. Tea lights aren’t terrible. You can take two, carefully pull them out of their tins, and then pull the wicks out through the bottom. Then, take a third candle, drill 2 small holes, and thread your two spare wicks through. You now have a small emergency candle, in a metal tin, with 3 wicks.

[@alwaysarmed88]

@@TacticalRifleman thank you sir. That helped out a lot. All your videos help out a lot for everyone who watches, not just me. You break everything down so everyone knows what your talking about. I commend you on that and your videos. Thanks again

[@Rob_Nasty]

Yaaaaassss!