Phones

Survivornerd: How To Start A Fire With Your Cellphone

It’s a tough call for a nerd lost in the wilderness: Use your mobile phone battery to start a fire and survive the night, or play another game of Brickbreaker. At least with this guide you’ll have the option of survival.

A bit of steel wool held to a battery’s contacts will create a short and start to spark, and if you’re careful, you can direct that spark onto some pre-arranged tinder, starting a fire. Of course, this also works with a 9-volt battery, which I’m almost positive Les Stroud has used on Survivorman, but it’s a nice idea to show it can be done with something we’ve all got in our pockets. [via MAKE]

Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)

  • Can’t do this (easily) with an iPhone.

    Thankfully though, there’s an app for it.

  • Jason

    Who the hell carries steel wool around with them??

  • 'sfire

    “A bit of steel wool held…” “…but it’s a nice idea to show it can be done with something we’ve all got in our pockets.”

    Really? I think I am more likely to have matches or a lighter (even as a non-smoker) in my pockets than some wire wool!!!

  • Dousatsu

    Alternatively you could use said cell phone to call 000…

Post Your Comments

Got something to say? There are two ways to comment:

1. Guests

Click here to comment instantly.

2. Facebook Users

Click below to comment using your Facebook account.

We're looking for comments that are interesting, substantial or highly amusing. If your comments are excessively self-promotional, obnoxious, or even worse, boring, you will be banned from commenting. All comments are moderated.