OBS
- I attended OBS Course where we did ODC at night. I was allocated to the Pulau
Ubin site. We did it at the docks.
- I used the solidified fuel & lighter with mess tin.
- Used can-opener to heat up can food.
- I washed the rice for my patrol, Armstrong, and cooked it in a pot over the fire.
We used the foldable table to cover a side of the pot as the wind was too strong
for the fire to sustain.
- We had chicken, veggies, rice, beancurd, bun, mango pudding, luncheon meat
and our very own “Masterchef” session → we were competing between who had
the best fried luncheon meat.
- We had luncheon meat and mango pudding for dessert.
- Bun as the side dish.
- Rice, bun as the staple along with chicken, veggie, beancurd.
Logistics:
Below are the items you need to prepare per group.
1. Wood - Tinder, Kindling, Fuel
2. Aluminium Tray
3. Mess Tins/Pots
4. Lighter/ Matchstick/Flint
5. Fan
6. Bricks/Tommy Cooker Stove
7. Tongs
8. Fire safety Equipment
Types of Wood
When making a fire, we light up the tinder (small pieces) first, transfer the fire to
the kindling (larger pieces), then transfer the fire to the large pieces (fuelwood).
Small to Big!
1) Tinder
Small thin pieces of wood or other material that is easy to light up. They burn for
only a short time.
Twigs, bark, dry moss, dry pods and even sharperner shavings and lint from a
clothes dryer are good forms of tinder.
2) Kindling
Wooden pieces about the width of a finger. The fire from the tinder will spread to
the kindling, and then to the larger fuel wood for a longer burn.
3) Fuelwood
Fuel wood is larger than kindling and also known as fire wood. It burns for a
longer time, enough to cook food or boil a pot of water. The objective of starting a
fire is to successfully ignite the fuel wood.
Fire Starting Technique
Set up a Tepee.
The tinder below, kindling above and fuel wood on top. The fire must start from
the tinder and eventually ignite the fuel wood for it to last
Once the tinder is lit, gently fan it to increase the fire.
When the kindling is lit, fan the flames harder to get the fuel wood ignited.
Once the fire is lit, fan the fire in intervals to keep it strong. Add more fuel wood if
the wood is burning out.
Safety Considerations
1. Wet wood will cause much smoke. Pick the dryest wood, or at least leave
them to dry over a few days before burning them.
2. Smoke Inhalation is a serious problem, especially for those with breathing
issues. Wear a mask if needed, or play another role in the team that does
not involve making the fire, for example, food preparation.
Try to stay at the part of the fire where the smoke does not blow.
3. Burning of fingers or hands, or scalding from pots toppling are common.
Minimize the number of people at the fire. No excessive movement. Use
tongs to hold hot items.
4. Be careful not the burn the surrounding through uncontrolled flames or hot
flying cinder. You may want to start your fire in an alumnium or metal tray.
Have fire fighting equipment at the ready.
