By James D. Nowka
Exposure can kill you in less than three hours, so having a survival shelter plan is vital. Shelter, just like every other piece of preparation, starts with listening to that strong voice of common sense that developed through all of our experiences. Each of us has a pretty firm understanding of “hot.” Many of us know a pretty good thing or two about “cold.” Simply living is enough to give most people some sense of the dangers at hand as it pertains to shelter needs.
Problems most often grow from minor and manageable to severe and dangerous when people, for whatever reason, decide to ignore that “gut feeling” that something just isn’t right. You should always take advantage of what the body has to say and with full urgency when it comes to shelter. The clock is already ticking toward that three-hour mark when the gut feeling starts talking to the mind. In a bug- out situation, when you are away from home or any adequate cool or warmth, you can’t afford to waste a minute. Try to imagine the growing stress and the racing thoughts that would come should troubles grow from bad to worse when there’s limited time and no adequate relief in sight.
Your bug-out bag should account for shelter in several different ways. Keep several shelter contingencies in an easy to reach place so you don’t have to root through the entire bag to locate those items of most immediate need.
Preparation calls for the right tools to meet the right situations. There is not one perfect tent to carry a family through all of its potential needs. Any family should look at a couple of tents with the aims of fulfilling short-term survival situations (a bug out bag situation) and the potential need for longer-term housing (see the sidebar).
When choosing a tent for a bug-out bag, go for something that’s small and light. The tent is only one part of a bigger package, and the entire pack has to be carried. That tent will be less about usual comforts than it is a means of keeping out of the elements. Backpacking tents work well for those sleeping one or two. Those who are bugging out as a family could find some pretty large dome tents that pack up fairly small and can sleep four to eight people.
In each case, think about durability and ease in set-up. A survival situation isn’t the time to fumble with instructions. For that matter, you wouldn’t want to compromise your efforts by snapping off one of those flimsy fiberglass poles. In the longer term, durability is an obvious consideration. Ease also has an important place. A disaster is going to mean there are a variety of tasks to accomplish, and you would do well for yourself in getting that shelter up as a base of operations as quickly as possible.
Choose according to the family’s needs. There isn’t a tent that’s going to feel as comfortable as the house. In the midst of crisis, the closer you can get, the easier the recovery process will be to manage.
Those purchasing a tent that could serve as home after disaster might go for something substantial. A number of tents could offer a touch of comfort in a difficult spot. You might set up camp right at the remnants of the house to allow for prompt and efficient work. Montana Canvas, for instance, makes a 10-by-12 wedge tent that feels more like a room inside. You could put a wood stove in there. If it’s 20 degrees below zero beyond the canvas walls, you could easily bring it to a comfortable 60 degrees inside.
Some of the cabin tents out there are pretty incredible and good options to consider. There are a number of durable, canvas models on the market. Some people actually put floors inside and use them as vacation homes.
Those preparing for the destructive events that might require alternative shelter on their properties might consider stepping beyond what most typically think of as tents. The portable garages out there are typically 10-by-20 feet. It’s a lot of space. One or two of those shelters would allow a family to set up some kitchen and dining room space as well as a couple bedrooms. You might put some air conditioners in there. It wouldn’t be the house. It might still feel like home.
A tarp is another essential shelter item. You can place it under your tent to keep the bottom of your shelter dry, and you can also rig it with some paracord to create a block to the wind, sun or rain.
Always include a high-quality, military-style poncho in your bag. It will keep you dry (an important step to preventing hypothermia), but with a little paracord and secure knots, you can turn it into a makeshift tent. Also include an extra change of clothes in a waterproof bag, if possible.