Preppin 101 - Part 4 - The Purpose of Shelter

Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

All the various types of shelters serve three basic purposes. The fact that you won’t have all the comforts of home should be a part of your survival mindset. There is some psychological value to certain styles but most any type of shelter will ultimately satisfy your emotional needs. There may be a need for protection from animals, etc. but the primary purpose of a survival shelter is to protect your body from the adverse effects of the weather.

It is the effects of hypothermia, which is caused by the loss of body heat, which causes the majority of deaths in survival situations. Being able to make or build a good shelter is crucial.

A good shelter prevents this in the three following ways:

1.) It creates a space to shelter your body from the adverse effects of weather.

2.) It creates a space that can be heated by your body or an alternate source of heat.

3.) It creates a sense of security by making you feel more secure and protected.

People with no skills have sometimes survived in circumstances where others with a great deal of survival knowledge have died. A lack of creativity and the inability to improvise may be the real culprits. Sometimes a little understanding of the principles involved and a willingness to think and observe your surroundings can be just as important as specific skills.

Look at what is available, and consider how you can use it. The ability to improvise will help you to survive. In a survival situation, a shelter that can keep you warm and dry and imparts a sense of security becomes crucial. Check your surroundings carefully. Is there anything which can be used to create a shelter? Consider the available materials around you in terms of how you can use them for the purpose of making or building a shelter.

Creativity, an ability to improvise, and good powers of observation can be your keys to survival, no matter what your circumstances. Being able to create a shelter out of what is available can make a world of difference in your chances for survival. The best survival shelter is the one that works for your situation!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker