Chapter 5

Shelters

TYPES OF SHELTERS

DESERT SHELTERS

5-47. In an arid environment, consider the time, effort, and material needed to make a shelter. If you have material such as a poncho, canvas, or a parachute, use it along with such terrain features as rock outcroppings, mounds of sand, or depressions between dunes or rocks to make your shelter.

5-48. When using rock outcroppings, you should—

• Anchor one end of your poncho (canvas, parachute, or other material) on the edge of the outcrop using rocks or other weights.

• Extend and anchor the other end of the poncho so it provides the best possible shade.

5-49. In a sandy area, you should—

• Build a mound of sand or use the side of a sand dune for one side of the shelter.

• Anchor one end of the material on top of the mound using sand or other weights.

• Extend and anchor the other end of the material so it provides the best possible shade.