Objective: Basic Outdoor Skills: Shelters This workshop has three important objectives and a fourth outdoor objective Objective #1: Convey the importance of shelter-building skills to Scout Leaders and youth alike, and the criteria for selecting or building a shelter Objective #2: Provide an overview on several different types of shelters and their suitability for use in all seasons Objective #3: This workshop provides instruction for practical hands on experience at building a simple lightweight shelter than can be used as part of a survival kit. The instruction will include methods of securing shelters, including knot selection, and using natural materials such as rocks and sticks. Objective #4: Practical construction of outdoor shelters for use in various seasons. All elements are relevant to Scout leaders in all sections as it provides essential information for the conduct of outdoor activities. Objective #4 is relevant to youth sections older than Colony as they match the dexterity capabilities of the youth. However, Colony youth can learn to have fun with shelter building, even if they can t tie knots. Objective #1: Why use shelters? Why is it so important to have good knowledge about shelters, specially related to scouting? A shelter is something that provides protection from environmental elements such as rain, snow, sun, high winds, hot or cold temperatures, insects and animals. By affording protection, a shelter has significant impact on your psychology of survival as can reduce physical stress and provide security and emotional relief. From a scouting perspective, a shelter can be many things, ranging from an enclosed building, a simple structure with a fixed roof with no side walls, a tent or a plastic sheet strung above or around you. Shelters not only provide protection, but also respite for cooking, eating, rest and relaxation and first aid treatment. A person who has shelter can focus better on their circumstances, be more mentally able to be decisive and maintain a positive outlook and make good decisions under challenging conditions. From a crisis management perspective, a leader has to have the knowledge, skills and equipment to deal with the realities of outdoor activities in order to be able to manage their group and instill confidence. Determining your shelter requirements Where Can I best setup a shelter? A shelter can be setup anywhere, provided various safety and environmental issues are considered when selecting a site for your shelter. Let s review some of those: From a scouting perspective (outdoor ethics, leave no trace, wise use of our resources): When teaching and practicing this skill with youth, be respectful of the environment and use dead wood for your construction. The following rules should be considered If your shelter needs are for practice purposes Make your shelter, but follow all LNT principles. If your shelter needs are real, but not life threatening (shelter from rain, high wind etc ) Make your shelter, but use your environment influence your options and decision making regarding the shelter you build. Strive to follow LNT principles. If your shelter needs are life threatening: The environment should be your LAST concern as it will be the environment that may KILL YOU. Make your shelter in the best way to protect your life Shelter Site selection Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 1 of 7
When you are realize that shelter is a high priority, start looking for a location as soon as possible. As you do so, remember what you will need at the site. There are many key criteria to evaluate for shelter location. These are just a few to consider: Locate the driest spot you can find. Being wet increases chances of hypothermia. Build on higher ground as you will be easier to spot Build where breeze can help dispel irritation by bugs Build in a sheltered spot if a cold breeze is blowing Don t build in ravines or valleys where cold air can settle Your site should contain material enough to make the type of shelter you need Locate the flattest surface you can find Is the site large enough? Do you need to build one or more shelters? Will your shelter location allow you to lie down and rest? Is there enough material easily available to make a fire? Will smoke from a fire affect your shelter? Do s and Don ts regarding environmental hazards affecting shelters High winds NOT Pick a shelter next to steep cliff sides or rock faces as high winds can blow debris down on you Locate your shelter underneath a tree as heavy winds may break tree limbs which can fall on you. Chose or make a shelter that is flimsy as it can be blown down. Find or setup a sturdy shelter. Though this is obvious, sometimes robustness is sacrificed through speed. Setup a shelter on the windy side of a lake, open field or an obstruction such as a knoll or hilltop, as wind will make for a noisy shelter if not secure, make it difficult to retain heat in the shelter Shelter in a gully or ravine where wind can be channeled as this increases wind speed, reduces the air temperature and increases weather noise Locate your shelter in an open area Setup your shelter with the opening towards the wind, as the wind will fill it and strain the attachments Locate a shelter on the leeward (opposite side) of a hill to shelter from the wind Locate a natural sturdy shelter or strengthen the shelter to avoid it being damaged by wind Examples: Caves, beneath a fallen tree, leeward (sheltered) side of a hill or overhang of rock Setup your shelter with the opening opposite the wind direction Lightning (thunder is not a hazard for shelters) NOT Make shelter underneath the tallest tree as lightning will seek the tallest point to get to the ground. Locate your shelter near large bodies of water or metallic objects such as flag poles, power stations Use tent poles or other metallic objects in the shelter construction Make a tall shelter Make your shelter in low lying areas if possible (lightning usually strikes highest points) Make your shelter as low to the ground as possible (does not attract lightning) Make several shelters and disperse the people to each shelter in case of a nearby lightning strike Heavy rain NOT Setup shelter near streams or water inlets as these may flood and your shelter and gear could get washed out Wet clothes increase hypothermia and wet gear affects psychology Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 2 of 7
Basic Outdoor Skills: Shelters Locate your shelter in low lying ground as rainwater will pool at the lowest point Position your shelter near a steep faced rock as water runoff will be a problem. Orient your shelter with the opening towards the direction of the rain For shelters made with natural materials: Try to make your shelter have lots of layers to disperse water from dripping through the shelter. The critical part is overlap from the base of the shelter For shelters made with man-made materials: (plastic tarpaulin) Secure them such that water runs off, rather than pools on the plastic Orient the entrance to the opposite side from the direction of the wind and rain Pick as dry location that is dry if you can find one. Erect the shelter as fast as you can to reduce the effect of rain on the ground where your shelter will be. If the ground is wet, use plastic sheeting or natural materials to cover the bottom of the shelter in order to avoid water / transfer to your clothes Snow or cold temperature NOT Design your shelter with the opening towards the direction of the wind or precipitation Make your shelter too large as excessive space will take longer to heat up and large shelters may collapse easily under the weight of the snow Make your shelter just large enough for yourself or a small number of individuals as air will heat up more quickly when there is less room Build your shelter as low as possible, entrance away from the wind and where possible, below the surface of the snow Objective #2: Different types of Shelters Types of Shelters When you realize that you need to make a shelter, look for a shelter site, keep in mind the type of protection you need. However, you must also consider the following Natural shelters (caves, overhangs, dens, fallen trees) Can you easily locate a natural shelter? Is large enough for your needs? Is it safe from collapse? Is it free of animals Man made shelters How much time and effort will you need to build the shelter? If the shelter will 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? Is there sufficient amount of the correct materials for you to build the shelter that you require? To answer these questions, you need to know where you can find natural shelters and how to make various types of manmade shelters and the materials you would need to construct them. The following list of shelters will be discussed formatted such that it can be given as a handout NATURAL SHELTERS CAVE FALLEN TREE ROOTS ROCK OVERHANG Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 3 of 7
PREFERRED NON-WINTER SHELTERS (All of these can be used in winter conditions except debris hut) Tarpaulin LEAN TO Wooden LEAN TO TEEPEE (hung from a tree or tripod) Tarpaulin A-FRAME Wooden A-FRAME (Debris hut) PREFERRED WINTER SHELTERS IGLOO SNOW CAVE QUINZEE SNOW TRENCH Each shelter shall discuss the following: Image of a shelter Materials that are needed for shelter building Appropriate season Pro/Cons Variants of this shelter Objective #3: PLASTIC TARPAULIN CONSTRUCTION Add handout describing how to make plastic Tarpaulin sheets and all the different styles of shelters that can be made from a single sheet of plastic. Objective #4: CONSTRUCT SHELTERS At this point the scout leader / scout youth should be sufficiently informed and be capable of building a shelter for non-winter seasons. NOTE: Special training is required for building winter shelters and this should take place in winter season. ESSENTIAL SHELTER BUILDING EQUIPMENT The following list of equipment that should be taken on all outdoor activities pertaining to shelter construction. This section shall identify the following equipment that the scout leader / scout group should always carry with them on an outing that will be invaluable with the need for shelter. This list will also have equivalence for materials that occur naturally in the environment that can be substituted MAN MADE Rope: (thickness and length TBD) Pocket knife Tent Pegs Sheet tarpaulin Poles NATURE EQUIVALENT Plant Vines or dried stalks (winter) Sharp rock Heavy stones Branches and leaves (packed snow) Tree branches Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 4 of 7
ESSENTIAL KNOTTING KNOWLEDGE KNOTS/LASHINGS FOR SHELTERS Examples of knots/lashings will be provided (one per page) with a description of how the knot can be used with regard to shelters. Clove Hitch Siberian Hitch (or equivalent slip knot) Round Turn and Two Half Hitches Figure of Eight Square and diagonal Lashing OR Philippine or Japanese lashing Bowline Taut Line hitch Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 5 of 7
REFERENCES (Note that this is not a complete list I am taking some of the ideas and reusing based on my own personal wilderness camping experience as Scout Leader experience) http://survivalworld.com/shelters/lean-to-shelter.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bivouac_shelter http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-tents/outdoor-shelters.asp http://www.wilderness-survival.net http://www.m4040.com/survival/skills/shelter/shelter.htm http://www.survivalistkits.com/survival-shelter-3-different-structures-to-survive-the-night http://voices.yahoo.com/how-build-leanto-survival-shelter-8574291.html http://www.practicalsurvivor.com http://www.survivalschool.com/articles/lean_to_shelter_construction.htm http://boyslife.org/outdoors/3473/taking-shelter/ http://suite101.com/article/survival-shelter-why-we-need-it-and-the-different-options-a313734 http://www.theozarks.com/caves.htm http://www.backcountrysurvival.com/fm-31-70/cold-weather/small-unit-living-improvised-shelters.shtml http://chrismolloy.com/www/p133 http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/shelter/wild_shelter.htm http://www.bearflagtrading.com/2012/05/making-a-shelter/ http://thebackyardtracker.blogspot.ca/2012/03/basic-winter-survival-part-22-how-to.html http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/fm21-76_survivalmanual.pdf www.scouts.ca Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 6 of 7
APPENDIX A Basic Outdoor Skills: Shelters Scouts Canada Bylaws, Policies and Procedures (BP&P) What does the Scouts Canada Bylaws, Policies and Procedures (BP&P) have to say about shelters? Actually, far more than you may realize. Section 10000 Camping & Outdoor Activities contains many statements, some clear and others less so with regard to skills, equipment and shelters. Go ahead and take a look. This URL will take you to Scouts Canada BP&P Section 10000. http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/linkclick.aspx?fileticket=acwugwbgpe0%3d&tabid=232&mid=599. BP&P requires leaders and participants to check if they are in the Right place, Right Time, Right People and Right Equipment. Section 10000.1 Activity Categories discusses risk associated with Green, Yellow and Red activities. This section requires scout leaders to have the necessary skills for each activity category. BP&P section 10001.1 for Beavers and Junior SCOUTSabout and BP&P section 10001.2 for Wolf Cubs and Senior SCOUTSabout youth state: Minimum facilities for camping must include tents for sleeping and some form of additional weather resistant shelter suitable for games, crafts, dining and cooking. For youth older than Wolf Cub age, there is no requirement for weather resistant shelter. It is expected that youth in older Scout sections can be taught the necessary outdoors survival skills in keeping with the outdoor activities that are suitable for Troop, Venturer and Rover sections. 10006 ACCEPTED PRACTICES FOR CONDUCTING OUTOR ACTIVITIES: 10006.3 Planning and Research: (ix) Leaders have ensured that the group has acquired, through training or experience, the appropriate attitudes, skills, knowledge, health and fitness levels appropriate for the activity. 10006.4 Equipment, Nutrition and Hygiene: (i) Participants have, or are provided with, a list identifying: the appropriate food, clothing, equipment and footwear for each activity. (ii) Leaders have demonstrated the ability to properly select, use and maintain equipment appropriate for the activity. (iii) Leaders have an up-to-date, appropriate understanding of the equipment they will be using and they teach this to the participants. Leaders generally have an advanced understanding of the equipment they will be required to use, including, but not limited to appropriate operation, use, care, cleaning and repair. Authors: Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser Page 7 of 7