Any great survivalist knows that starting a fire is a key survival skill – but what happens when disaster strikes and you find yourself without matches?

Quick & Easy DIY Firestarter

This DIY firestarter is a great backup plan for starting a fire in a hurry, and it requires only a few household items. Check out the video below to see how it’s done, and follow these simple steps to create an instant fire without matches.

What you’ll need to make a firestarter without matches:

• 3 medium pieces of firewood
• Extra fine steel wool, grade #000
• Flint and steel striker
• Cotton ball
• Bundle of kindling
• Cotton ball

How to make a firestarter without matches:

Step 1: Place pad of steel wool on a flat surface.

Step 2: Surround the steel wool with two pieces of firewood.

Check out our tips on how to identify dry firewood here.

Step 3: Place a cotton ball on top of the steel wool, then surround the cotton ball with kindling.

Add more kindling to the top so that the cotton ball is completely unclosed.

Step 4: Use your flint and steel to strike sparks against the edges of the steel wool.

Continue this motion around the edge of the steel wool, blowing on the sparks to ignite flames.

Step 5: Add a third piece of firewood so that the fire is fully contained.

Check out the video below, and leave your own firestarting tips in the comments!

For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Want more DIY firestarter ideas? Check out the posts below!

How to Start a Fire with Flint

10 Fire Starting Materials You Probably Have at Home

DIY Fire Starter: The Cotton Ball

Making Simple Tools From Flint