Wildwood Bushcraft
Bare Hands Bushcraft (phase 1) notes
Fire with flint and Iron Pyrites
Both flint and iron pyrites are rocks typically found in chalky substrate. They can be struck together to yield small red hot sparks. Because the sparks are composed of molten iron they can fall and land on suitable tinder rather that just exist at the point of impact.
Special tinder is required to create fire from such sparks. Examples are tinder fungus and fluff from Rosebay Willow Herb seed heads. Once these tinders start to burn, the ember can be transferred to a larger fungus such as a Cramp ball and blown into flame in a fibrous tinder bundle.
Water purification
Without metal pans for boiling, filtration devices and chemicals for sterilisation it is necessary to take a more rigorous approach to finding the safest source possible. Typically this will be a spring where the water is filtered by the soil and is not discoloured by the substrate. Springs may be found by following back small streams, examining stream banks and looking for water-indicating vegetation such as rushes and sedges.
In some situations it is possible to improvise a container for collecting and boiling the water using birch bark. Hot rocks can be added to the container full of water to bring it to the boil. In most parts of the UK, however, it is difficult to find birch bark of sufficient thickness and without blemishes or holes. When suitable bark is available, it is best removed from dead or fallen trees to avoid damage to live trees. Flint can be used to score the bark and prise it free from the wood. Once a sheet is removed it can be made more pliable by gentle heating in front of a fire and then folded at the corners to make a container.
To make a filter a birch bark cone can be made with some small holes at the base. Layers of moss, sand and charcoal can be added which will filter the liquid.
Shelter
Many different kinds of shelter can be made with bare hands. One easy example is a fallen tree lean-to where dead wood is stacked closely against the side of a fallen tree then leaf litter is added as thatch. It is necessary to check that the tree is safe before lying underneath. Dead wood used for shelter building is usually snapped rather that cut. Green hazel wands can be twisted while still attached to a tree and the separation of fibres makes for a flexible rope-like binding material. A bed should be constructed from fallen branches, springy twigs and bracken and a long log fire built in front of the open side.
Food
Many foods both animal and plant can be cooked directly on the fire – either on embers, spit cooked, skewered, clay baked or pit oven cooked. None of these methods require oil or pans. The availability of plant food varies markedly throughout the year and some foods can be stored for leaner times ahead – for example nuts, fungi, fruits and meats can all be dried.
Hygiene
In a long-term survival situation and even short-term hygiene is important. If you get an infection this will affect your health and your capacity to cope. Importantly you should wash your hands with water before eating and after contact with soil, animal materials and after using a latrine. Water is important but some plants can also help replace the role of soap – for example those with antiseptic properties such as wild garlic, mint, hedge woundwort and sphagnum moss.
When digging a latrine scrape, you should did at least 6 inches deep and cover the spot carefully afterwards. Do not dig closer that 20 metres from a water source such as a stream or river and think about the effect of flooding and heavy showers on the run off. You can use various clean non-toxic leaves as wipes such dock, tree leaves such as hazel or chestnut or clumps of sphagnum moss. Such leaves should ideally be used with water.