<<1. Using a zippo as a lighter – is it a good idea? I heard a story that they are unreliable for long term use – true?>><br><br>The fuel evaporates. There used to be a US military item that functioned like a Zippo but was encased with a truly water-and-vapor proof screw-on lid, but it has been over 20 years since I've seen one. Machining up something like that with the chimney design of a Zippo is on my list of things to do... but I don't know if I'll ever get that far down that list...<br><br>They can be a real PITA if they are immersed for a while - must have the batting dried out and re-charged with fuel.<br><br>Zippos are OK for routine use on outings. They have one advantage over butane lighters in very cold temps - they work. Butane lighters need to be warm enough to let the fuel vaporize. Try leaving a butane lighter outside in below freezing temps and then try to light it while wearing gloves... The solution, though, is to simply keep the butane lighter under your outer garments as close to your skin as possible - and some of the apparently "good" locations are not.<br><br><<2. Does any one here carry some sort of fire arm with them? (just out of interest)>><br><br>Of course, but there are tons of caveats and circumstances. For me (USA) it would be accurate to say that there are times that I do NOT carry a firearm.<br><br><<Does the potassium permanganate crystals suck into the sand as well as into the snow to create a marker?>><br><br>Er, if that's what you want KMNO3 for, try tempura paint instead... KMNO3 is purple in color and extremely soluable in water. It stands out in snow because it is a richly colored salt; it "melts" into the white snow and spreads its color. In damp white sand it would disolve and temporarily color the sand, but it would keep on disolving and spreading... I consider this one of the "so what?" uses of KMNO3.<br><br><<3. Does any one use a bum bag for carrying survival gear around? I gave it a thought but it would make me look even more like a tourist. Although it would be very handy instead of carrying a rucksack...>><br><br>The US common name for that pack will make you laugh - but I know which type you mean. Many folks here use one for that purpose and find it quite useful. For my purposes and habits they are too small - but that's very much personal preference. Ask around here for what models folks like and why.<br><br><<4. Is any one here prepared to make a quick night escape? For example if your house is on fire and you want to make a quick escape that your documents are all packed etc.>><br><br>Yes and no <grin>. At a certain point in life it becomes a question of *which* documents are essential in various scenarios. A house fire - assuming an urban area with a responsive and effective fire department is fairly easy to deal with on the documents question - daily carry stuff ready to go and the rest routinely in some sort or another of fire-rated confinement. Still remains a "what is important?" question, though. We have too much stuff these days. <br><br>My dad loves to say words to the effect that the only truly free man is one who can carry all of his possessions on his back.<br><br>Truly effective Bug-out-bags (BoB or BOB) take art to assemble. Beyond the scope of this discussion...<br><br>HTH,<br><br>Tom