1. It is possible to start a fire with the Sparklite using toilet paper, for example, but you need to know that it will require repeatedly striking the Sparklite in the same location to build up heat. If the tinder doesn't catch the first time, there's a tendency for beginners to move the lighter to a different spot and try again; after this fails a couple of times, they may give up in frustration.
Interesting comment and experience. Curious as to the TP you have tried it with? In my experience, the TP I used lit off pretty readily. Sounds like I need a wider sample than I have tried previously. If your experience is common, then I'll probably delete TP as a potential tinder. Mostly, we want them to use the provided tinder and we have some minor changes to those instructions to emphasize how to fluff it up for best performance.
2. Foolproof instructions for starting a survival fire - others know more about this than me, but I was never able to get a good, sustainable campfire going until Mors Kochanski gave me some simple advice:
1. Lay two logs parallel to each other;
2. Lay two logs on top of these at a slight angle;
3. Put a large twig bundle (i.e. easily ignited kindling) on top of this and light it.
The coals from the kindling bundle will drop down between the logs and generate enough heat to ignite the main fire; once the main fire is burning, you can line up the logs into a parallel fire.
We have experimented with this method and in our experience with naive subjects, IOW no wilderness experience, didn't find it as readily effective as what we chose to illustrate. That may be because of our instructions we provided, or... <shrug> It may well be worth considering as an alternative fire lay in an upcoming project we are working on which will allow for more options.
Thanks very much for the suggestions.
Doug
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