For many years I taught outdoor skills, both summer and winter. I showed people that the single most important item you should always carry in the outdoors, is a lighter.
Take the latest case for example, the young fellow lost for three days in the Nanaimo area. If he had a lighter he could have lit a fire, stayed warm and been easily found the next morning.
Outdoors clubs, search and rescue groups, guides, etc. should stress this at every opportunity. The public needs to be educated. It will save lives.
Lorne Tetarenko
Qualicum Beach
