The military and many other organisations use the rule of 3’s to prioritise in a survival situation (both wilderness and urban), what is important and what is not.
- 3 minutes without air (basic life support/first aid) if you are not breathing or bleeding out you’re dead!
- 3 hours without shelter (clothing, shelter from the elements, core body temperature, fire)
- 3 days without water (the human body on average can only go without water for 3 days)
- 3 weeks without food (the human body can go without food for up to 3 weeks depending on the individual and is therefore the last of importance in a short term survival situation)
In an emergency situation, it is important to take steps to ensure that we are protected from the elements such as extreme cold, heat or even from animals. There are many different options for creating shelters, both manmade and natural.
Manmade shelters
There are many different kinds of manmade shelters on the market including various kinds of tents, lightweight tarps, hammock systems, emergency blankets and swags. However, in an emergency situation we can improvise to make do with what we are carrying.
Garbage bag- A large, heavy duty garbage bag is one of the most versatile pieces of kit you can have with you. Uses include: a raincoat (a hole cut in it for your head), a moisture barrier or ground sheet, water carrier, filled with leaves for insulation to stop conduction to the ground, water proofing, a flotation device or cut open and made into a lean-to shelter using a few simple knots and hitches.
Space blankets- Found in many first aid kits, space blankets can be ideal to be used as a light weight blanket, ground sheet or configured into different types of shelters. The shiny side can be turned out to reflect the sun in hot weather or turned in to reflect your body heat or the radiated heat from a fire. They also come in a range of colours so you can also use them as a signalling device to attract attention.
Tarps- A lightweight tarp is the most versatile light weight shelter there is. Suitable for most climates (not windy), they can be configured into a range of shelter types (A frame, lean-to, pup tent etc) or connected with others (of the same type) to make a larger shelter. A few simple knots and hitches are needed to use them effectively. In wet weather you just set them lower and in clear weather you can raise them.
Natural Shelters
If you don’t have a manufactured man made shelter with you, you will have to build one using the resources you find around you in nature. Following some basic principles, a shelter can be made that will ensure you stay safe and protected from the elements. Some things to think about include:
- Correctly siting your shelter. This can mean thinking about not setting up at the bottom of a hill or valley. Cold air sinks, meaning that this will get very cold through the night. Another thing to think about is not setting up under trees with dead branches, not setting up on ant nets etc.
- Do not site your shelter too close to water as many insects breed in water. Running water will also prevent you from hearing predators or someone looking for you.
- Create an improvised bed to get you off the ground to prevent heat loss through conduction and also prevent ants and other animals from crawling on you.
- Create an angled roof to ensure water run off. If using leaves, palm fronds etc for a covering, try and use dry ones as green leaves will shrink leaving holes when it rains.
- Site your shelter with any breeze blowing across the front (90 degrees) to ensure that you are not blasted from the wind. It also helps to blow any smoke away from your shelter.
For more detailed information and instructions on how to construct emergency shelters, click on the link below.