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Cold - Absolutely
Absolute zero is zero degrees on the Kelvin scale (roughly -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit). It's the point at which atoms transmit no thermal energy and are completely at rest. If you talk to your friendly neighborhood physicist he or she will tell you that, thermodynamically speaking, absolute zero is unattainable.
Of course, most physicists have never been cruising timber in the middle of January.
Physicists and Outdoor Pros alike can agree that while we may not even come close to hitting absolute zero, sometimes it certainly can feel like it. That's where Ben Meadows comes in. We have plenty of gear to help keep you comfortable, productive and safe when temperatures drop. Whether it's a shovel, cleats or just a good pair of gloves.
After all, Ben knows cold. Here in Wisconsin our record for cold is -55°F. We're about 73 degrees off the coldest temperature ever recorded ( -128.6°F in Vostok, Antarctica) and we're 414 degrees away from absolute zero. It would seem that this year we're in no danger of making it all the way to absolute zero.
But don't worry about us - we have our fingers crossed for next winter. . .
Gary Ben Meadows Team Leader g.clark@benmeadows.com
Product Spotlight Ben Meadows® 10-Pocket Field Vest Nearly 30 years ago, Ben Meadows (the man) designed these rugged Vests to give you unmatched durability that stands up to virtually any working conditions. Today, Ben Meadows (the company) offers you these same deluxe Field Vests. Some of our customers have been wearing the same one for years! For a few of them, the Vest is like a child's blanket-it goes everywhere and its owner absolutely refuses to give it up. You can buy it now here!
Come On Baby Light My Fire
No matter how good we are at navigating through the wilderness, sometimes things happen and we have to spend the night outdoors. In these circumstances being able to make a fire is one of the most important skills an Outdoor Pro can have. In fact, it can often mean the difference between life or death.
A fire can serve many purposes like keeping you warm, helping others find you, cooking/preserving your food, purifying water, sterilizing bandages or equipment and protecting you from animals. But you can't benefit from any of these advantages unless you know how to light a fire. Understanding the fire triangle is a great start to learning how to build and maintain a fire.
The fire triangle is a model for showing the three required components of a fire: oxygen, heat and fuel. Removing any one of these will prevent or put out a fire. Fuel does not burn on its own. When heat is applied to a fuel it produces a gas. When this gas is combined with oxygen in the air, it burns. This chemical reaction occurs during combustion and is the fourth side of the fire tetrahedron.
There are three types of materials (fuel) needed to get the fire going: tinder, kindling and larger fuel. Tinder is dry material that ignites with little heat such as birch bark, dry grass or leaves and fine wood shavings. More creative examples of tinder include hand sanitizer, cotton balls soaked in vaseline and dryer lint. Kindling is a little larger in size than tinder and is used to help get the larger fuel burning. Some examples of kindling are small and dry twigs, sticks, branches and strips of wood.
Once you have the kindling burning well then you can apply the larger dry fuel like whole pieces of dead wood (not green wood). This is what you typically think of as firewood but in an emergency situation you need to find this on your own because this isn’t an item you want to carry around with you. The larger fuel is what is going to keep the fire burning longer because it doesn’t burn as fast as the smaller fuel.
Another consideration is site selection. Pick a site that is out of the wind and clear away surrounding vegetation and debris to help prevent a wildfire. Be smart and use good judgment.
There are a few items that Ben Meadows carries that can help you light and maintain a fire: Magnesium Fire Starter, Brunton Helios Stormproof Lighter, and Waterproof Matches. Other items you may want to consider are a Hatchet and/or Folding Saw.
Last month we asked this question: In what month and year did The Natural Resource feature an article about a Pandemic Flu Plan for Firefighters? If you're not sure, there's a new, easy way to find out.
Michael from Massachusetts knows that this article was published in the September, 2009 issue of the The Natural Resource.
We're sending Michael a LEATHERMAN® Blast® Multi-Tool with Leather Sheath!
Take a look at our latest catalog or use our Web site (www.benmeadows.com) for help with this month's challenge. Don't have a catalog? You can get a free copy by clicking here. Now here's the question: In our latest catalog you'll find a sample of a very popular product inserted between the pages. What's the product? If you know, send us the correct answer before Feb. 11, 2011. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a LEATHERMAN® Blast® Multi-Tool with Leather Sheath (a $53.00 value)! Be sure to include your name, mailing address and how best to contact you. Send your answers to: editor@benmeadows.com
The goal of The Natural Resource is to provide accurate information on the subject matters covered. However, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials. Therefore, the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors or misprinting contained within this publication. GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. P.O. Box 1368, Janesville, WI 53547-1368, USA Tel: 800-356-0783 Fax: 800-543-9910. *OWNERSHIP OF SUBMISSIONS By sending letters, e-mail, images, messages, suggestions, ideas, or concepts (each, a "Submission"), whether unsolicited or solicited, to Ben Meadows you are granting the Company a royalty-free, nonexclusive, perpetual, unrestricted, worldwide license to publish, transmit, perform, display and otherwise use the Submission for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotional purposes. No credit or compensation is due to you for such use. The Company also has the right, but not the obligation, to use your name, city and state in connection with print, online or other use or publication of your submission. All submissions become the property of Ben Meadows and may be edited for use.
© 2012 GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. Reference Number: WB0000
