Starting a fire without matches is hard work, so carry reserves. If you must do so, however, first gather some dry tinder, such as the inner lining of an old birds' nest, fluff from clothing, bits of rope end or some dry, dead wood. Form the tinder into a sheltered nest.
Hold the striking edge of a matchbox or a dry hard stone as close to the tinder as possible. Strike it downwards with the back of a knife blade or a small piece of steel to send sparks into the centre of the tinder. Fan the smouldering tinder into a flame; add fuel gradually, starting with small, dry twigs.
On a sunny day use a magnifying glass, a camera or binocular lens, or a pair of strong reading glasses, to focus the sun's rays on the tinder.
When lighting a fire in windy or rainy weather, use a candle to save matches.
To waterproof windproof matches, dip them in melted candle or paraffin wax.
If you're short on paper matches, you can double your supply. Insert the point of a sharp knife in the base of each match and slowly pull the halves apart.
Store your matches in a film canister along with the striking pad from the matchbox. This will keep them dry.
