A shelter is anything that provides protection from the environment, such as temperature extremes, weather, insects, and other adversities. Humans can only survive a short period without adequate protection from the environment in most places on Earth. This physiological limitation is why shelter is so important and why it’s one of the 11 essentials that should be carried on any outdoor adventure. Finding or creating shelter is a high priority on the list of life necessities, above water and food priorities, and should be accomplished as soon as possible in a survival situation
There are three basic types of shelters for emergency use: immediate action shelters, temporary shelters, and long term shelters.
- An immediate action shelter can be deployed in minutes and is typically small enough to be carried by an individual out in the backcountry. Examples include a tent, bivvy sack, an emergency shelter bag, a lightweight tarp, or even two large trash bags taped together. An immediate action shelter can also be something that is already available, like a backcountry hut, or a cave.
- The second shelter type is a temporary shelter that can be accessed or assembled within 30 to 60 minutes. A temporary shelter should utilize as little energy as possible and usually requires tools, creativity, and previous knowledge. The best temporary shelters are built using something that already exists, like a downed tree or natural closure. Examples include a basic lean-to, simple debris hut, or simple snow shelter.
- The last type of shelter is a long term shelter that can provide superior protection for three days or more. Building a long term shelter requires a significant amount of energy, more resources, and advanced knowledge. Examples include a wickiup, a more elaborate debris shelter, a hut, a quinzee snow cave, and an igloo.
For most outdoor adventures, carrying an immediate action shelter is more than adequate. It is best to have an immediate action shelter that is multi-purpose. For example, a tarp with pre-sewn webbing handles can be used as an immediate action shelter, as part of a temporary or long term shelter, as a method of carrying someone out of the wilderness, as part of a hypo-wrap to keep an individual warm, as a signal for help, as a water collection device, a picnic blanket, and more.
There are various immediate action shelters available on the market. Which one you decide to carry will be dictated by activity, environment, terrain, and the people on the adventure. These same considerations are used when creating a customized wilderness medical kit and also make up the framework of the Outdoor Safety Awareness course.
Activity
Particular activities may decide which shelter is preferred or needed. For instance, for a backpacking trip, shelter is already planned for, it’s the tent. For a short hike or a day out climbing, something lightweight and compact is ideal, like a lightweight tarp or emergency blanket shelter. For a mountaineering trip, two shelters are needed. One shelter for camp, like a tent, and one for day trips away from camp, like a bivy sack.
Note: A standard foil space blanket should not be considered as a shelter. These are often too small and too fragile to be used as a shelter. They should also not be relied upon for substantial warmth in extreme conditions.
Particular activities may decide which shelter is preferred or needed. For instance, for a backpacking trip, shelter is already planned for, it’s the tent. For a short hike or a day out climbing, something lightweight and compact is ideal, like a lightweight tarp or emergency blanket shelter. For a mountaineering trip, two shelters are needed. One shelter for camp, like a tent, and one for day trips away from camp, like a bivy sack.
Note: A standard foil space blanket should not be considered as a shelter. These are often too small and too fragile to be used as a shelter. They should also not be relied upon for substantial warmth in extreme conditions.
Environment
The environment is a major consideration when deciding the right shelter option to carry. In colder environments, an emergency bivvy blanket with a heat reflective interior is a wise choice. In very wet conditions, something waterproof is essential. For intense sun and heat, a shelter that can adequately provide shade is mandatory.
The environment is a major consideration when deciding the right shelter option to carry. In colder environments, an emergency bivvy blanket with a heat reflective interior is a wise choice. In very wet conditions, something waterproof is essential. For intense sun and heat, a shelter that can adequately provide shade is mandatory.
Terrain
In locations where shelter building material or natural places of protection are abundant, like in a forest, a tarp is more than adequate. In terrain that is bare of such materials and lacking in natural places of protection, a shelter that can be deployed without other devices or resources is essential. Such barren terrain would include the high alpine, glaciers, the desert, and plains and tundra. The best shelters for these locations are tents, bivy sacks, and emergency shelter bags, like the Bothy Bag.
In locations where shelter building material or natural places of protection are abundant, like in a forest, a tarp is more than adequate. In terrain that is bare of such materials and lacking in natural places of protection, a shelter that can be deployed without other devices or resources is essential. Such barren terrain would include the high alpine, glaciers, the desert, and plains and tundra. The best shelters for these locations are tents, bivy sacks, and emergency shelter bags, like the Bothy Bag.
People
People includes considerations about the number, preparedness level, capabilities, and attitudes of individuals on an outdoor adventure. It also includes yourself and your preparedness level, capabilities, and attitude. For large groups, a large shelter will be required like a tent or Bothy Bag, especially for groups with children. Individuals can also carry shelter.
Your own capabilities and preparedness level should be evaluated. Are you carrying a shelter that you know how to use and can quickly deploy? Have you tested it to determine if it’s an adequate size, or has the features you desire? Do you need other tools to use the shelter you are carrying? Familiarity and experience with your equipment is vital during emergencies and survival situations.
For most outdoor adventures, a lightweight tarp, large trash bags, or emergency bivvy sacks are all that is required for immediate action shelter. Other times, the right shelter should be selected based on the activity, the environment, the terrain, and the people on the adventure.
People includes considerations about the number, preparedness level, capabilities, and attitudes of individuals on an outdoor adventure. It also includes yourself and your preparedness level, capabilities, and attitude. For large groups, a large shelter will be required like a tent or Bothy Bag, especially for groups with children. Individuals can also carry shelter.
Your own capabilities and preparedness level should be evaluated. Are you carrying a shelter that you know how to use and can quickly deploy? Have you tested it to determine if it’s an adequate size, or has the features you desire? Do you need other tools to use the shelter you are carrying? Familiarity and experience with your equipment is vital during emergencies and survival situations.
For most outdoor adventures, a lightweight tarp, large trash bags, or emergency bivvy sacks are all that is required for immediate action shelter. Other times, the right shelter should be selected based on the activity, the environment, the terrain, and the people on the adventure.
Be sure to follow this blog; soon we will post how to build different immediate action shelters!
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