Shelter, Protection, and Bedding

Shelter, Protection, and Bedding



No matter the emergency situation, it is important to keep ourselves and our families safe and protected from the elements, including: rain, wind, snow, fog, sun, heat and lightening. We may need to find our protection out in the elements, or in our own home. There are many ways to keep us sheltered.



Be aware of you surroundings. If possible, your home can be a shelter. In a disaster situation, debris from homes and buildings (walls, doors, concrete, furniture etc.) can be used. In the winter, snow caves or ditches can create an environment up to 20 degrees warmer than the outside air. Branches, limbs, and leaves can be used to protect from wind, rain, or sun. Large rocks and cliffs can provide small areas of safety.



Tents: Tents can provide a safe place out of the wind and rain. Tents are mobile and can be set up in your own yard, far away from the rubble, or in or near shelter. Find a tent that is the right size for you and your family. Keep in mind a dome tent that does not need to be staked into the ground can be set up indoors to provide privacy for your family in a public place. Make sure you know how to set up the tent before you are required to us it.



Tarps: This can be a heavy ground cloth, plastic sheeting or tarp. A tarp can be used to provide overhead shade, a tent, a lean-to, ground covering, waterproofing. A tarp with grommets (small reinforced holes) and a rope can be tied to trees, buildings, etc.

Garbage bags, rain ponchos, emergency blankets: These can be used to block wind, or wrapped around the body to keep out moisture.



Bedding



No matter what kind of bedding you use, chose something that will keep you warm and dry, can be mobile, and waterproof if possible.



Just as important as what you sleep in, is what you sleep on. 75% of the cold comes from the ground. There are many things you can use to insulate you from the cold ground.



Mattress or Sleeping Pad: A commercial foam pad or self inflating mattress will provide comfort and insulation.



Ground Cloth or Tarp: Ground cloths and tarps won't insulate very much, but will keep out the moisture.



Other items: Leaves, Magazines, Newspaper, Cardboard, Tree bark and branches will all insulate you from the cold ground.



There are a few options of what to sleep in. Choose what works for you and what you have or are willing to purchase.



Sleeping Bag: Sleeping bags are compact, and will keep you warm. Store them next to your kit, or attach them to your pack with chord, rope or bungees.



Bed Roll: See attached instructions for making a bedroll below.

Other: Dress warm and wrap in a tarp or garbage bag. Or wrap up in an emergency blanket or pouch that will reflect you body heat back to you.



Always make sure you go do bed warm and dry. Put on dry clothes, including undergarments before bed.



Bedroll Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:



• Large waterproof cover

• As many blankets as desired

• Sleeping blanket or sheet

• Ropes



Step1

Place the waterproof material flat on the ground. Then put the first blanket over the top so it is covering two-thirds of the waterproof cover.



Step2

Place the second blanket over the first, lining its edge at the middle of the first blanket.



Step3

If any additional blankets are desired, continue to place them in the same arrangement as the first two, alternating positions.



Step4

Fold the sheet or sleeping blanket in half and place it in the middle of the bedroll.



Step5

Starting with the last blanket you put down, fold the blankets one at a time over the sleeping blanket or sheet.



Step6

Fold the waterproof covering over the blankets. To get into your bedroll, enter from the top, into the middle and you should be in the sleeping blanket or sheet.



Step7

When you are packing up your bedroll for camping, place your nightclothes and needed toiletries in the middle inside the bedroll.



Step8

Begin to roll from the bottom, until you have a tight roll, then tie it off by using the ropes on at least the two ends and possibly a third in the middle to keep everything together and tight.

September 2008

Hi Preparedness Group,

Here are the notes from our last class on Shelter, Protection & Bedding, including how to make the good old fashioned "bed roll".

Thanks to the April & Blake for teaching the class. They did a great job!

Our goal this month:

Gather your shelter and bedding materials (such as tents, pads and sleeping bags) for each family member and have handy next to your 72 hour kits.

Our next class on Oct 21st will be on "Sanitation, Personal Care and Special Needs" and will be taught by Janna.

Debbie