James Kim is a hero

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

James Kim is a hero, period. He died trekking through ridiculously rough terrain trying to save his wife and kids. The tragedy that took his life has several lessons, but one very simple one. Be prepared to build a fire. I have read many reports on this incident and none of them mention a fire.

If neither he or his wife smoked, it is unlikely they had a lighter or matches with them. My best friend was team sergeant of the survival phase at the Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape course at Ft. Bragg. He taught the course on field-expedient methods for making fire for many years and was quite proud of the quality of his instruction. He also hated when I would point out that rather than his wizbang fire-making kit, with steel wool, and tinder and flint etc., you were better off with a lighter in every piece of your gear and pockets.

The Kims were lost in a forest and they ought to have been able to find plenty of wood. The best thing they could have done was immediately build a small fire for warmth, and then build as big a fire as possible. There is nothing that gets people's attention like smoke on the horizon, and any Search and Rescue folks could have headed straight to them. Take a look in the trunk of your vehicle and do me a favor, make sure you have a simple go-to-hell kit with water, chow, blankets and for god's sake several lighters and matches. Godspeed Mr. Kim.

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Comments

James Kim is a hero

James Kim is a hero, period. He died trekking through ridiculously rough terrain trying to save his wife and kids. The tragedy that took his life has several lessons, but one very simple one. Be prepared to build a fire. I have read many reports on this incident and none of them mention a fire.

If neither he or his wife smoked, it is unlikely they had a lighter or matches with them. My best friend was team sergeant of the survival phase at the Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape course at Ft. Bragg. He taught the course on field-expedient methods for making fire for many years and was quite proud of the quality of his instruction. He also hated when I would point out that rather than his wizbang fire-making kit, with steel wool, and tinder and flint etc., you were better off with a lighter in every piece of your gear and pockets.

The Kims were lost in a forest and they ought to have been able to find plenty of wood. The best thing they could have done was immediately build a small fire for warmth, and then build as big a fire as possible. There is nothing that gets people's attention like smoke on the horizon, and any Search and Rescue folks could have headed straight to them. Take a look in the trunk of your vehicle and do me a favor, make sure you have a simple go-to-hell kit with water, chow, blankets and for god's sake several lighters and matches. Godspeed Mr. Kim.

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