A Shelter in a Storm

Without a doubt, building a proper shelter is one of the most time consuming and calorie consuming tasks you face in survival.  Making a debris hut, which uses downed trees, limbs, leaves and branches preferably from some type of coniferous tree, is the most common emergency shelter.  Without exception, they are very difficult to water proof.  The litter and debris piled on top and around the shelter needs to be from fingertip to armpit deep to try to shed the water that tries to seep in every crack.  Then, you need a foot or so of springy branches and leaves to lay on inside to protect your body heat from being sucked out by the cold ground.

The saying “It’s easier to take shelter than to make shelter” is true.  A tent or a hammock with a tarp overhead is easy, convenient and waterproof.  But, if you have a tent or hammock, you aren’t really surviving.   According to Dave Canterbury of the Pathfinder School, you’re just doing some “Inconvenient Camping!”  Real survival takes place when you find yourself in a situation beyond your control that you couldn’t see coming or prepare for.

In a situation like this, consider how much of an advantage it would be to have one of those cheap Mylar space blankets in your pocket.  You can buy them for a couple of dollars at various retailers or online and they fit easily in your pocket.  They come in various sizes depending on which company makes them and what brand you buy.  For our discussion we’ll use one measuring 54″ by 84″, or roughly 4.5 feet by 7 feet.  Not real big for a shelter but, if you drape it carefully over a framework of branches taking care not to puncture it, it would make a very good waterproof roof at least over the area where you would be sleeping.  You would then cover it with debris and branches to hold it down to provide additional insulation as well as continuing to build a traditional debris hut.  Mylar blankets are small enough to carry in a purse, a cargo pocket or coat and cheap enough to buy several and scatter them around in various garments etc.  As a blanket, it is almost useless, and it is fragile and noisy.  But in an emergency, it could be the edge you need to keep you warm and dry.

Life is also filled with many storms and difficulties. Many things can happen which you don’t expect or plan.   Being caught out in the open in a survival situation can kill you from exposure in as little as three hours.  Being caught in a storm of life without God can be deadly to your soul.  As the hymn writer wrote so long ago, “The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm….”  When the storm is raging and you fear you won’t survive it, flee to Jesus and you will find rest and comfort for your soul.

James B.

PS. You can check out my website at www.waypointsurvival.com and look at and order my custom knives at www.benderknifeworks.com.