Knowing how to make a simple shelter to protect you from the weather can be a lifesaver. Being able to construct even the simplest of shelters is a skill everyone should have in their survival arsenal. Building a shelter is an integral part of our human nature. Even very young children, when left to their own resources, will automatically want to build a tent or playhouse from simple items around the home. A blanket thrown over a couple of chairs or a table makes a terrific shelter as far as they're concerned. Children tend to do things automatically that will greatly increase their survival without them even realizing what they are doing.
As adults, our sense of need for shelter declines as we become more accustomed to and comfortable with homes which provide for our shelter needs. Homes which can’t be transported easily or could be destroyed by a disaster can be replaced with knowledge of how to build a simple form of shelter to help protect you from the effects of nature.
Here is a free download on how to make some simple survival shelters that you can practice building. This will also save some wear and tear on your sheets and blankets if you have young children.
Seven Simple Survival Shelters
Staying above the water line!
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8 comments:
Mighty useful RW...thank you much!
That is a great document, thanks for posting it Riverwalker. Definitely worth printing out, the details on building cordage extremely valuable if stuck out there for a projected long period
I sort of have an idea to build a Salish pit dwelling as shown there, only using the soil sand bags stacked up with barbed wire between courses. Would be shaped to form an igloo. Plaster or cement skin to complete structure, as bags would rot if left exposed to elements. I got this idea from the now deceased architect Nadir Khalili, who wanted to design a structure that anyone could build quickly and using simple tools on site. Of course, sandbags will have to be purchased.
Rounded edges blend in with wilds far better than straight vertical / horizontal lines. Too, the insulation of these bags would be far greater than the walls shown.
This would be for a hunting cabin / camp type, not something built for emergencies. Just thought it worth mentioning, sorry for hijack.
To: Ozark Momma
My young grandson is always wanting to build a tent or shelter inside the house. I'll help him make one out of whatever he feels like could be useful. He never ceases to amaze me at the different combinations and uses for things he will come up with when building his own "house". Maybe we need to pay attention to the imagination of the little ones a lot more often and think outside the box.
Thanks!
RW
To: anonymous
I like the Salish pit dwelling also...being less conspicuous and having a very low profile. One of it disadvantages is water drainage is in wet conditions but a raised floor will help with that problem.
The document also has some great tips on interlining thatch to keep the rain out, as well as making simple cordage.
One thing that isn't mentioned is that the Salish pit dwelling works well with natural depressions (no digging required)and be almost impossible to detect if done right.
You also don't really have to use sandbags as compacted earth covered with sod will work pretty good as well.
Thanks anon!
RW
Tne eskimo in his suit of fur can sleep in a snowbank.
Your basic shelter is "the house on your back", that is to say your clothes; plus, in my case, a space blanket (with neckhole) worn as a liner under a GI hooded lightweight poncho. With that plus heat rising from a candle lantern hanging on a stick across a small hole between my feet I can survive surprisingly low temperatures. Space blanket and lightweight poncho weigh little and take up little room.
Great post. In addition to providing a "defense" from the elements, it is a HUGE mental boost. It feeds the security needs we all have, even if it's a take-down structure.
To: vlad
Great tip! I elaborated on the proper clothing in my most recent post.
Thanks vlad!
RW
To: Chief Instructor
Excellent point! Anything that will help keep your frame of mind in a stable and rational state can only be a plus.Thanks.
RW
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