PART ONE: Survival 101 ~ Shelter

SURVIVAL 101
"SHELTER"

Well Here we go! Grab a pen and take notes! This is the first "class" in Survival 101.
Today I'm going to talk about "Shelter". This is VERY important and not likely something you may have even thought about when putting together your SURVIVAL kit!

The very FIRST thing you will need to think about is where you live. Do you live where theres snow? Or are you in a more temperate climate? What about the desert? This is important to what types of emergency shelter you need to consider when planning your emergency shelter.
ANY extreme weather can be fatal! If not prepared!

Hopefully you can at least prepare a few items that could save your life and the lives of your family.That and knowing a few emergency tactics before hand can be extremely important!

Several items that you can have on hand would be the following:

* A Tent that is big enough for your family or a couple of small ones. These are usually compact and can be put along side your preparedness items.Self standing Dome tents are great because you can set them up in a building if you and your family need to or are able to get to a eveacuation center.

* Tube tent. These are very affordable, usually around $4-$5 and can be found online. They fit up to 2 adults are lightweight and can be carried in your Emergency kit or backpack!

* Reinforced Blue Poly Tarps. These can be bought at any hardware store. You can use these to make a lean to or a tent. Very inexpensive and will last for some time. Make sure you have at least one for a flooring! These will keep moisture out of a tent from the ground.

* Metal stakes...Can be long screws. about 12 inches long.

*Nylon rope! YOU can not have enough of this! You can string it between two trees and use a tarp for a tent! PLUS if needed you can lace two or more tarps with this using the reinforced eyelets together for a larger shelter.

* A small hammer or mallet
*Emergency Sleeping bags, These are lightweight and will reflect body heat back to you. Very inexpensive and compact. Make sure to have on for each family member!

* Emergency blankets, these are made of the same material as the above sleeping bags.

We have purchased a couple of really good sub-zero sleeping bags from Wall mart, they are Coleman brand and didnt cost a arm and a leg! BUT, you NEED the emergency ones as well! You dont know if you'll be able to get to anything thats not with your emergency bug out pack! And you NEED shelter as well as warmth!!!!

Make sure you PRACTICE putting a tent up! While in an emergency situation you will be stressed and may not be able to do this as quickly if YOU dont know before hand how to do this!

SO....Think of these things.....
If it's raining...Keep dry! Cold and wet will result in illness...Make sure your shelter is waterproof! You can add a blue tarp to the top of your tent for added weatherproofing!

If its windy...Make sure to put your shelter where you can  block the wind when possible and stake it down securely! Stay inside!

Snow and blizzards....Make sure you STAY inside your shelter! wrap yourselves in all available clothing, blankets and sleeping bags. You can use wood and boughs for insulation in a case of emergency. ALSO, did you know that newspapers and cardboard can be a great source for insulation.

Extreme heat. Make yourself a shade with a tarp , stay out of the direct sun up til the evening.

In most cases you will probably be at home. You will be able to set up in your yard and be able, maybe, to gather resources from your home.
Something to think about....Making a specific place in your yard for a "outdoor" kitchen. A makeshift fire pit, concrete blocks to set coals  on for dutch oven cooking. Not close to your structure in case its unstable because of an earthquake or any disaster.

Other items to perhaps keep on hand could be wooden pallets, poles, plywood. nails.
These things you may have on hand already. Think about it and look through your garage or home for items that you may already have on hand!

I hope you were able to get some ideas from this first class...
Please be diligent and PREPARE!

The next class will be on WATER, types of filtration and storage.

Speaking of water, have you been storing water for you and your family???


Peace and Blessings, Sherry