Survivorman fire starting method

[mad coyotee]

everyone,


has anyone tried or accomplished starting a fire using potassium permanganate and glycerin as show on survivorman (africa show)?

I found the glycerin readily available at walmart pharmacy or any other pharmacy, however I have not been able to locate the potassium permanganate disinfectant solution. anyone know where to find it and what is an approximate cost?

thanks

mad coyotee

[crashdive123]

I've never used it, but here are a few threads that discuss it.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4433&highlight=potassium+permanganate

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=491&highlight=potassium+permanganate

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=784&highlight=potassium+permanganate

[Jay]

Dont know about the show....but I do it all the time in wet conditions. you need the potasium permanganate in crystal form. Take care not to inhale the smoke. Glycerin costs about 50/- rupees (approx half a dollar). ten grams of PP costs 15/-R in the local pharmacy.
j

[Gray Wolf]

Jay, in the show both were in liquid form as I remember. The stuff stains everything!

[vthompson]

I will just stay with my firesteel, that is what works for me. I use it all the time to start fires with. It amazes my grandkids that I can make a fire with it.

[Gray Wolf]

vthompson, I agree with you, I'm skilled in many ways to make fire, but I depend on my firesteel 99% of the time, even over a lighter or matches...

[vthompson]

Gray Wolf, I like firesteels so well that I carry two on me at all times. I love starting a fire with them, especially when someone is watching me. I get a kick from the look on their face.

[Pict]

I carry KMnO4 in my kit but I have never used it to make fire. It is sold in Brazil as a fungus treatment. I carry it mainly for that and as a back-up emergency water treatment. I have heard that you can use the crystals mixed with powdered sugar and either ground together or heated with a lens to make fire but I haven't done it. Mac

[SARKY]

The Brit SAS guys that crosstrained with us loved that stuff. They used the crystals and mixed it with sugar then crushed the 2 together with a spoon. It worked , but I could had a fire stared in half that time with a flint and steel.

[bulrush]

Pot perm sold in your water softening department of your hardware store, or at stores that specialize in water softeners. Very volatile, don't get it on your hands. It's usually sold as a powder.

[Teacher]

You can find it at as a pool cleaner also at some pool and spa stores.