I was such a firebug as a kid I could rely on this as my only way to start fire unless it is really cloudy. But yes for me it backs up a lighter, sparklite and firesteel plus I have been able to get an ember from a bow drill I just need to practice making an expedient one.

Just a side note. I am reading a book about the war in Afghanistan and one of the Green Berets talked about ditching their "survival kits" in favor of more ammo. He said since it wasn't survival training they would not need them. This gives you the idea that the really well trained guys can "make do" with very little when it comes to weiging it against more ammo. Here is where "advanced survival skills" really come into play.