Making a waterproof survival shelter?

J

jaymeister99

Joined
Sep 14, 2010
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Ive made several survival shelters over the years. Many that were quite comfy, until it rains. Im an Eagle Scout but I could never manage to make a survival shelter that didn't leak.

Has anyone here actually managed to make a leak proof shelter (with natural materials only!)?
 
debris shelter -- you need at least 2 feet of leaves piled up on top, more is better.
do a search for threads in the ESEE forum.
 
One reason why a simple heat sheet, mylar blanket or barrel bag is so often recommended as part of a PSK.
 
Good info so far, you can also use Birch Bark shingles over all of your debri.
 
Yes. I have done it and anyone can. However it does indeed take considerable time.

It helps if your roof pitches are steep as in a Teepe or a wickiup.

After your frame is up cover the entire structure with pole and sticks run verticaly, plug spaces between sticks with dry grass etc. Then pile on another layer of sticks, or LOTS of debris. Pay attention to the shingling principle when stacking on boughs etc.

It will tke several hours to construct depending on the materials available, and how spread out those materials are.

The shallower the roof pitch, the more difficult it will be to waterproof.
 
Lots of time and bare trees, but possible year round, try evergreen bough thatching. I can't remember where i learned it, but you build a steep roof with poles at 1-3 inch horizontal intervals. Chop a bunch of pine branches, then hook the thickest branchlet over the lowest pole and repeat until you can't see through. Then go on to the next pole up. because of the downward-facing branches, it is very waterproof. It is an easy concept to show, but not to explain.
 
built a debris shelter here in BC after weeks of torrential rain. Roof/walls were over 4' thick and well layered with various shingled materials.

leaked like a colander when the rains picked up again.

Tarps rule.

nuff said.
 
jaymeister99 said:
Has anyone here actually managed to make a leak proof shelter (with natural materials only!)?
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Yep.

A lean to (with side walls) that was constucted with overlapped sheets of bark.

Please bear in mind that this requires the ability to strip off sheets of bark in usefull width / lengths :thumbup:

[youtube]YRe0kz3OIz8[/youtube]




Kind regards
Mick
 
I really can't imagine using all that time and burning so many calories simply to create rain cover which may not be as good as that of my large Heatsheet.

Unless it was for fun, learning or practice, etc.

That being said, I would consider spending several hours with a Grand Shelters Icebox to create an igloo when I have a perfectly good tent!
 
AeroNautiCal said:
I really can't imagine using all that time and burning so many calories simply to create rain cover which may not be as good as that of my large Heatsheet.
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I think you hit it right on the head. Its a heck of a lot easier to pack a lightweight tarp than burn up so much calories.

But I would still like to try it for the fun of it.
 
jaymeister99 said:
I think you hit it right on the head. Its a heck of a lot easier to pack a lightweight tarp than burn up so much calories.

But I would still like to try it for the fun of it.
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but tarp is more camping than a survival shelter.. tarp rules energy wise and time wise that for sure.. its those time i built a 100% wild shelter that i which i lived in the tropics with all those giant leaves to use as roof.

when im pretty-to-totally sure the weather is "no rain".. i just take my chance in save the energy for the next day.. once in a while, you will spent a sh!tty night but most of the time, the gamble worth the risk
 
Can I revist this, with what I see as the essence of the original posters question?



jaymeister99 said:
.......Has anyone here actually managed to make a leak proof shelter with natural materials only!)?
Click to expand...
Please note that the bolded & underlined emphasis in the original posters quote has been added by myself. :D




G'day TL

Thomas Linton said:
If you replicate, more or less, a thatched roof (overlapping courses of grass or straw like shingles overlap), it does a pretty good job of keeping out rain, but very time-consuming. Pics here:

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/shelter/thatch/ryanleech.html
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Yes, thatched roofs when properly constructed are water proof. As a matter of fact, they are still in use in some areas of England for houses :thumbup:

But please note: the steep angle that is required for them to function as a waterproof roofing material. This can be seen in the link you have provided :D.

I would love to see the techniques use by those who advocate a debris shelter for this purpose (that will keep the debris, i.e. leaves & other smaller pieces attached to the roof & steep sided walls) :D

Now this might be all right for those who take enough cordage with them to keep the thatch in place, but for those who don't, do they have enough skills to make use of what's available locally to keep the thatching in place (especially if there is wind to take into account :D ).

I really want to learn, so I would very much appreciate pics from anyone who who has used this technique to overcome this problem :thumbup::thumbup:



G'day Tony
tonym said:
Good info so far, you can also use Birch Bark shingles over all of your debri.
Click to expand...
Personally I reckon your on the right track, but considering the requirement for personal experience in the OP, I have to ask, is this advice just regurgitated from what you have read, or is it something you have tried yourself (pics showing you using this method would address the OP's requirements for personal experience :thumbup:)?




G'day DocBurN

DocBurN said:
but tarp is more camping than a survival shelter..
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IMO you have made a very insightfull comment :thumbup:

There is no doubt that a tent with a fly, or a tarp can make a water proof shelter that takes less effort to erect than one that is made from natural material that is sourced on site. :D

But is this really what Widnerness & Survival Skills is all about, or is it as you have correctly identified, a camping approach, where equipment is used as a replacement for skills?

Afterall, there is no denying that the weight that necessarily comes with an equipment based approach needs to be carried.

Is everyone capable of carrying this weight for any distance off a maintained trail, for a trip that lasts for at least a week?

If so, I would like to see it :D

Personally, I have no doubt in my mind that at 49 years of age I'm not as physically capable as I was in my 20's.

Thank God, I have more knowledge & experience than I did in those days, otherwise I wouldn't be able to continue to enjoy the wilderness areas that I do :thumbup::thumbup:

As always OMMV :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick
 
SouthernCross said:
G'day Tony

Personally I reckon your on the right track, but considering the requirement for personal experience in the OP, I have to ask, is this advice just regurgitated from what you have read, or is it something you have tried yourself (pics showing you using this method would address the OP's requirements for personal experience :thumbup:)?


Kind regards
Mick
Click to expand...

Thought I have proven myself over the years, but hey you are getting older and the memory is the first thing to go they say.. :p:p

(Mick, thats a joke)

[youtube]YqlEwkejjQE[/youtube]
 
SouthernCross said:
IMO you have made a very insightfull comment :thumbup:

There is no doubt that a tent with a fly, or a tarp can make a water proof shelter that takes less effort to erect than one that is made from natural material that is sourced on site. :D

But is this really what Widnerness & Survival Skills is all about, or is it as you have correctly identified, a camping approach, where equipment is used as a replacement for skills?

Afterall, there is no denying that the weight that necessarily comes with an equipment based approach needs to be carried.

Is everyone capable of carrying this weight for any distance off a maintained trail, for a trip that lasts for at least a week?

Kind regards
Mick
Click to expand...

Is it a good skill to know how to make a GOOD shelter?. Absolutely

However, I would never venture in the woods with out my tarp/poncho. It saves a whole bunch of time and if storm comes up suddenly I will stay allot dryer. In my oppinion it is as important piece of gear as a firestarter or knife.

A poncho/tarp weighs as little as 4 ounces, I don't think that weight is much of a burden. You still need the skill to properly set it up and insulate it to stay warm.
 
knowing how to build a proper, rain proof debris shelter is one of the essential skills.

However, I find it much more convenient to just pack a folded bit of visqueen sheeting in a baggie. Instant shelter in a time of need.:)
 
Building such a shelter: 1) sharpens skills; 2) teaches just how long it takes to build (Most vastly underestimate the time required, which is why most shelters you see are not only not waterproof but would not insulate usefully.).

I spent a night in a debris pile hut years ago in PA and it kept out a drizzle with walls/roof a good two feet thick, but I suspect strongly that a drenching rain would have made its way through. So my answer to the OP would have to be "no."
 
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