1- In Sit. Rep. #132 we talked about what to do if you get lost. Remember SSSTTTOPPASSS? Let us talk about how to increase our odds of survival in bad weather. The mental aspects are also covered in #132. Another tool in your personal kit is how to build a native shelter. In this context, “native” means using what resources you have from nature wherever you are.
2- What can you find or create to make an improvised shelter? Where are some materials to work with? Having materials to build a shelter may mean moving below the tree line. Even in the desert you can scrounge or create shelter.
3- Most of North America has prevailing winds from the West. That tells us to face our shelter to the East. Use the backside of the shelter to break the wind. If the opening is facing the West, then it acts like a scoop trying to catch the wind and funnel the wind into your shelter.
4- Take 2 to 4 sticks (or rocks) and drive them into the ground to make “fence” posts on the West or windy side of your shelter. Since you do not have nails to fasten the horizontal railing of your new fence; place 2 of your fence posts about 1 foot apart. These 2 posts then give you a vertical “slot” to put the horizontal railings into. You can use sticks, limbs, dirt, rocks, sod, grass, or even snow to fill in to make a solid wall against the wind.
5- This shelter wall or windbreak, obviously, takes some time and energy to construct. Choose your survival priorities carefully.
Do not lose hope! When the sun goes down, the stars come out.
E: What do you call a Snowman that survives winter?
F: River water!
6: Meeting Plans & Notes:
EDGE method on packing and preparing for Summer Camp.
G: Have you heard the joke about the boxer?
H: Yep. But I just can’t remember the punch line.
Semper Paratus,
Gaither