Shelters

A shelter can protect you from the sun, insects, wind, rain, snow, hot or cold temperatures, and enemy observation. It can give you a feeling of well-being and help you maintain your will to survive.

In some areas, your need for shelter may take precedence over your need for food and possibly even your need for water. For example, prolonged exposure to cold can cause excessive fatigue and weakness (exhaustion). An exhausted person may develop a "passive" outlook, thereby losing the will to survive.

Seek natural shelters or alter them to meet your needs, therefore, saving energy. A common error in making a shelter is to make it too large. A shelter must be large enough to protect you and small enough to contain your body heat, especially in cold climates.

SHELTER SITE SELECTION

When you are in a survival situation and realize that shelter is a high priority, start looking for shelter as soon as possible. As you do so, remember what you will need at the site. Two requisites for shelter are that it must—

• Contain material to make the type of shelter you need.

• Be large enough and level enough for you to lie down comfortably.

You should focus on your tactical situation and your safety when considering these requisites. You must also consider whether the site—

• Provides concealment from enemy observation.

• Has camouflaged escape routes.

• Is suitable for signaling, if necessary.

• Provides protection against wild animals and rocks and dead trees that might fall.

• Is free from insects, reptiles, and poisonous plants.

You must remember the problems that could arise in your environment. For instance, avoid—

• Flash flood areas in foothills.

• Avalanche or rockslide areas in mountainous terrain.

• Sites near bodies of water that are below the high-water mark.

 In some areas, the season of the year has a strong bearing on the site you select. Ideal sites for a shelter differ in winter and summer. During cold winter months you will want a site that will protect you from the cold and wind, but will have a source of fuel and water. During summer months in the same area you will want a source of water, but you will also want the site to be almost insect free.

 When you are considering shelter site selection, remember the word BLISS and the following guidelines:

• B-Blend in with the surroundings.

• L-Low silhouette.

• I-Irregular shape.

• S-Small.

• S-Secluded location.

TYPES OF SHELTERS

When looking for a shelter site, keep in mind the type of shelter you need. However, you must also consider the questions below:

• How much time and effort will you need to build the shelter?

• Will the shelter adequately protect you from the elements (sun, wind, rain, snow)?

• Do you have the tools to build it? If not, can you make improvised tools?

• Do you have the type and amount of materials needed to build it?