How to Start a Fire with a Taser

If you ever find yourself in a pinch with a taser and need to start a fire, but you don’t have your ‘typical’ means of starting a fire nearby, you can utilize your taser to your advantage. Starting a fire with a taser is reasonably straightforward. There are also other methods of creating fire using homemade tasers, flashlight tasers, and more.

How do you start a fire with a taser? The easiest way to start a fire with a taser is to use a pencil and draw a thick line on a piece of paper. The lead acts as a fire starter. Zap the lead on the paper with your taser, and sparks will begin to form. Repeat the process until a flame erupts.

In some emergencies, you may find yourself with no other option than to use your taser to start a fire. The good news is, there are easy ways to utilize your taser to be a fire starter. We will be sharing everything you need to know about starting fires with a taser, as well as how to make your very own taser at home.

How Does a Taser Work?

A taser is essentially just a variation of the well-known stun-gun. However, this gadget does not have the two charge electrodes placed on the housing. Instead, according to How Stuff Works, 

“they are positioned at the ends of long conductive wires, attached to the gun’s electrical circuit.”

How a taser works closely resembles how a BB functions. When the trigger is pulled, the compressed gas cartridge located inside of the taser breaks open. This leads to an extreme expansion of gas, which, in turn, collects pressure behind the electrodes. This pressure causes the electrodes to be release from the taser.

A simple breakdown of how a taser works looks something like this:

1. Pull the trigger. 
2. Gas cartridge breaks open, releasing gas and pressure.
3. Pressure builds up so immensely it causes the electrodes to shoot out.
4. The electrodes attach to the intruder, leaving wires behind.

Tasers differ from stun guns in one major way: a stun gun requires direct contact while a taser can be shot from a safe distance away, around 15 feet. According to TboTech, 

”7-10 feet is the optimum target spread.”

How to Start a Fire with a Taser

For the most part, a taser is mainly used as a self-defense tool. It’s sought after more than a stun gun because, with a taser, there is no need for direct contact. This makes it easier for anyone trying to defend themselves as they do not need to get too close. However, tasers can also be used to start a flame when necessary because they can be made to function exactly like a stun gun.

It’s a lot easier than you might think, and there are a few different ways you can successfully use the taser to your advantage.

Using a Taser, a Lead Pencil, and a Piece of Paper

Perhaps the easiest method for starting a fire with your taser is the pencil and paper method. This is the least hazardous option as you are not using any type of flammable substance to start the fire. Plus, this method utilizes things you likely have in your desk, so you do not need to worry about having any fancy equipment in your arsenal.

What You Will Need

• Taser
• Lead Pencil
• Piece of Paper

1. Gather your materials in a safe area. If you are going to start any type of fire, make sure you are doing it in a safe space. For instance- the garage is likely not the ideal space, especially if oil spills or gas cans are lying around. These can combust and can cause a much larger explosion/fire than desired.
2. Rub a thick line of lead onto the paper. Turn the pencil so that it is slightly on its side. This way, you can create a thicker line with more lead instead of trying to scribble with the point of the pencil. 
3. Continue coloring on the paper until a thick area has formed. Your whole paper does not need to be covered in the lead, but there should be a thick line. The lead should be dense, too, so don’t be afraid to push down on the pencil when coloring. 
4. Zap the lead line a few times. It may take a couple of tries to get the lead to react to the electrodes and cause a flame. Zap it a few times. The first few zaps you may only have sparked. Continue until the lead combusts into an actual flame.

If you are using this method, it’s vital to have an area to place the flame once it’s ignited. If you’re outside, try to gather some sticks and leaves to place the piece of paper on top of. This will allow the flame to move onto the materials and create a fire sufficient for lighting your kindling.

Here is a great YouTube video that shows the step-by-step way to start a fire using your pencil, paper, and a taser.

Using a Taser, Tinder, and Flammable Substances

This method is slightly more hazardous. Here you will utilize flammable substances to ignite your flame. It is essential not to use too much of the flammable material to keep the fire from burning too immensely. You will also need some good fire-starting tinder. 

Survival School shares some wonderful options for kindling, including:

• Cedar Bark
• Fatwood
• Birch Bark
• Cattail Fluff
• Tinder Fungus
• Pine Needles
• Leaves
• Grass

If you are unsure about what to use as your flammable substance, there are plenty of options for this as well. CCOHS has a handy list of things that are flammable and can be used for this method.

Some everyday flammable products found in the home include:

• Solvents
• Thinners
• Cleaners
• Adhesives
• Paints
• Waxes
• Polishes

You can quickly find out if your product is flammable or not, as it will say it directly on the bottle/can. If it’s flammable, it can be used in this method for starting a fire with a taser. Remember, the key here is to be selfish with how much you use so that you set a more massive fire than you intend to.

Now that you know what is needed for this method, gather your materials, and follow these simple steps:

1. Begin by gathering your materials in a safe location. It’s best to perform this method outside as you will be using fuel to start the fire. Make sure you are in a secure area before beginning this method. 
2. Place an exceedingly small amount of flammable substance on your fuel. Your kindling should be wadded up into a little ball before you add your preferred flammable substance on it. For instance, someone on this wilderness blog used the well-known bug repellent ‘Off’ as their flammable substance.
3. Zap the fuel, and you should see an instant flame. It shouldn’t take too much time or effort to see a flame response to the fuel and flammable substance. In fact, it should be instant 9 times out of 10. 

One important thing to remember is that you should be using good kindling to help ignite the flame faster. Tinder that is not well-known for its fire-starting capabilities may require a few more zaps before the spark ignites. It will also be more challenging to hold onto the flame if you’re not using a recommended starter.

Some survivalists have also claimed that this method works well with a flashlight taser as well. However, you may want to cover the actual flashlight lens with something- such as a piece of cardboard- to ensure the flame does not damage it.

Using a Homemade Taser and Steel Wool

If you do not have a taser, you can create one- if you know how to weld. It’s a relatively simple process if you have the skills and tools necessary. It creates a taser that comes with a high voltage that is not only great for self-defense but for creating fires when it’s an emergency.

What You Need:

• Disposable Camera (With Flash)
• Soldering Iron
• Solder
• Hot Glue Gun
• Wire
• Wire Cutters/Knife

Start by making your homemade taser. 

1. Remove the battery and pull the casing apart. As disposable cameras are unlikely to have any types of screws holding the casing in place, you should be able to do it by hand with ease. If the disposable camera has screws, you will need a miniature screwdriver to unscrew them swiftly. 
2. Locate the circuit board. The circuit board is located near the flash, which is powered by a special unit known as the capacitor. You should be able to see it clearly as every camera, for the most part, has the same capacitor design. Make sure you refrain from touching any of the metal areas with a metallic object. This can cause it to short.
3. Release the charge. Once you have located the circuit board, you will notice two distinct wires coming off it. Taking a screwdriver, push the wires together to release all the charges in the capacitor. You will know when all the charges are released if the flash no longer goes off when the wires are pushed.
4. Remove the circuit board. The circuit board, which contains the flash and the capacitor, can be removed once all the charges have been released. Simply set it to the side.
5. Drill holes in the opposite casing. Locate the two cylinders of the casing without the circuit board. One side of the casing should have two holes. Drill through these holes until there are two additional holes on the opposite side of the cylinder. 
6. Solder the wires to the metal leads. Locate the capacitor once more. Using your soldering iron, solder a single wire to each of the metal leads of the capacitor. The wires should be roughly six inches long. 
7. Feed the wires through the holes and reassemble. The wires should be fed through the holes you have just drilled, then you can reinsert the capacitor and circuit board. Continue to reassemble the camera. The wires should be sticking out.
8. Place the battery back inside, and you are ready to start a fire.

Ignite the Fire Using Your Homemade Taser

1. Set out some fuel. You have the option of using steel wool as it is highly combustible and able to ignite and hold onto flames with ease. However, you can also opt for other types of fuel, such as pine needles, leaves, and grass, which are likely readily available in your backyard.
2. Hold down the flash button. This will allow the homemade taser to charge up and be ready for use. You can tell that the taser is ready to be used when the LED light starts blinking as if it were about to take a picture. 
3. Zap the steel wool or tinder. Depending on the type of steel wool or fuel you are using, it may take multiple attempts before the flame ignites. Continue to zap by pressing the ‘flash’ button on the disposable camera until you have successfully created a fire. 

Here is a great video on YouTube that shows how to use the disposable camera to create a flame. 

Bonus: Starting a Fire with a Flashlight

Not everyone has a taser, but most people have a flashlight on hand. Whether you are home or out in the wilderness, we are going to show you how you can quickly start a fire using solely your flashlight and some tinder you have collected nearby.

What You Need:

• Flashlight
• Tinder

1. Break the glass cover off your flashlight. 
2. Remove the lightbulb and break the glass, leaving the filament inside intact.
3. Screw the filament back into the flashlight. 
4. Place tinder inside the top of the flashlight. Make sure that it is filled to the top for this method to work correctly. 
5. Turn the flashlight on. It may take a couple of tries to get the kindling to ignite in the flashlight.  
6. Transfer the flame to your campfire. You should have space nearby with a large amount of fuel awaiting the flame from your flashlight. Transfer the flame to this larger campfire and enjoy the fire.

Recommendations from Amazon

If you’re thinking about purchasing a taser or stun gun, either for self-defense or to start a fire- or for both- then you want to make sure you’re getting a high-quality gadget that will see you through the upcoming years. We have compiled a list of the top devices on the market that will suit your needs.  

VIPERTEK VTS-989 – 58 Billion Heavy Duty Stun Gun – Rechargeable with LED Flashlight

Conveniently sized with high voltage, this is the go-to for anyone who wants a basic taser that is guaranteed to get the job done. Just ask the 6,000+ positive reviews on Amazon as well as the 4.5-star rating- those are numbers that you know you can count on!

There is a lot to enjoy with this specific taser. Not only is it budget-friendly at around $30, but it also comes with a much-needed LED flashlight to ensure you can see any intruders or any area that is ideal for starting fires in the dark. It also comes with unique snatch prevention that will give off an intense, high voltage shock on the sides of the unit when trying to be taken.

Don’t worry about the need for expensive batteries with this product. Thanks to the internal rechargeable battery, it’s never been easier to make sure your important device is ready for action. Plus, there is a non-slip rubber coating to ensure you get a good grip no matter what you are using the taser for.

Taser Pulse with 2 Cartridges, LED Laser with/2 Cartridges

If you want a taser that is guaranteed to work, whether it’s for taking down an assailant or igniting your fire, then we highly recommend the Taser Pulse by Taser. Over 100 positive reviewers on Amazon swear by this model, and it’s said to give out as much voltage as the tasers found on a police officer’s hip!

This sleek, cool, and sturdy device is guaranteed to help you in any situation. Perhaps the best feature of this taser is that you’re able to shoot it from 15 feet away, which means you don’t have to worry about getting too close to the attackers (or the fire) when you need it most. Take down the intruder for a whopping 30 seconds while you get away!

Conclusion

Starting a fire with a taser is simple, whether you are utilizing an actual taser or a homemade version. The most important thing to remember is that you are going to need some good kindling, such as pine needles, and in some instances, a flammable substance. Be careful when trying any of these methods and always perform these methods in a safe area with a larger pile of kindling nearby to transfer the flame easily.