Chapter 5

Shelters

TYPES OF SHELTERS

ONE-MAN SHELTER

5-27. A one-man shelter (Figure 5-7) you can easily make using a parachute requires a tree and three poles. One pole should be about 4.5 meters (15 feet) long and the other two about 3 meters (10 feet) long.

Figure 5-7. One-Man Shelter

5-28. To make this shelter, you should—

• Secure the 4.5-meter (15-foot) pole to the tree at about waist height.

• Lay the two 3-meter (10-foot) poles on the ground on either side of and in the same direction as the 4.5-meter (15-foot) pole.

• Lay the folded canopy over the 4.5-meter (15-foot) pole so that about the same amount of material hangs on both sides.

• Tuck the excess material under the 3-meter (10-foot) poles and spread it on the ground inside to serve as a floor.

• Stake down or put a spreader between the two 3-meter (10-foot) poles at the shelter's entrance so they will not slide inward.

• Use any excess material to cover the entrance.

5-29. The parachute cloth makes this shelter wind-resistant, and the shelter is small enough that it is easily warmed. A candle, used carefully, can keep the inside temperature comfortable. However, this shelter is unsatisfactory when snow is falling, as even a light snowfall will cave it in.