Death Trap Zombie Time-Shares

Here's an interesting article from the Zombie Research Society about the emergency community shelters that some people are investing in: http://zombieresearch.net/2011/03/23/death-trap-zombie-timeshares/

Wilderness Survival Shelter Series: Debris Hut

Ray Mears builds a Bushcraft Shelter

Search Amazon.com for ray mears

Deal Alert!

@ Philipsons Today

Bushcraft Shelters

Here's a page with some great looking bushcraft shelters:
http://www.jackmtn.com/simplog/?p=915

Turtle Tuff Shelters

http://www.turtletuffshelters.com/

A Beginners Guide to Preparedness and Survival - Shelter

Shelter is your second priority in a survival situation. You need to be able to keep warm if you want to live. Having a backup heater and fuel supply is invaluable for your home. Blankets and cold-weather clothing (no cotton) will help conserve fuel. A waterproof tent should be in your BOB. If you want to stay warm, you must stay dry. A low-temperature sleeping bag is also very important. If you have a retreat site, you should have all of these things there as well. If you are looking to purchase a retreat site, here are a few things to consider:

• Availability of Water
• Off-grid Heating
• Property Taxes
• Age/Condition of Structure
• Amount of Land Included
• Neighbors
• Insulation
• Price
• Remoteness

You want to equip your retreat with a supply of water that doesn't rely on an electric pump. You will also want to install a wood stove for heat, as fuel may become unavailable. Consider the property taxes and whether or not you can afford them now. Check the condition of the structure and foundation. You don't want to buy something that will fall down or something you will sink your entire income into for repair. Think about how much land you will need and who surrounds it. You may want enough to grow some crops. Is the building insulated? Good insulation will save loads on fuel. Is it affordable? Don't go beyond your means financially. How remote is it? Will drifters or looters show up if SHTF?

Having a means of communication with the rest of the world will also be important. I suggest getting a HAM radio license and unit. You can communicate globally with it. Also, having a crank powered radio with as many bands as possible will allow you to get news and entertainment. I suggest a shortwave radio so you can listen globally.

Having renewable lighting will be important. Solar garden and walkway lights are useful for this. They aren't very bright so you can use them with your curtains closed and nobody outside will be able to see them. You will also need something a bit brighter such as a crank powered flashlight. If you have the finances, you could set up a complete solar power system for your retreat. I suggest getting 12V appliances because inverters are inefficient.

4 Types of Base Camps and When to Use Them

from: http://survivalcache.com/

4 Types of Base Camps and When to Use Them

Choosing the type of base camp you need is dependent on your gear and the current situation. Here are four types of survival base camps I have open to myself that range from overnight emergency cache to permanent defensible shelter.
Article by Survival Cache contributing author Chuck

1. Nomad

This style base camp is better for groups who pick a remote spot, set up tents/shelters and have a small community. Some even go as far as one big tent for a meeting place and the families then have smaller ones for their homes. The Nomad camp can be erected in little time from start to finish; it takes about two hours to set up and break down.

• Advantages: Speed, Community

• Disadvantages: Difficult to defend, Not permanent

2. Bunker

The bunker is harder because you must to have land to make it a permanent shelter that is hidden from everyone but you and your group. It is difficult to build this style of shelter without everyone knowing unless you have land that is far off the beaten path. It can also cost a lot to make and keep up with.
Some people choose this style because it is much easier to hide. The bunker is also the most defensible type of base camp with limited entrances and advantageous positions.

• Advantages: Fortified, very Defensible, Can be Hidden

• Disadvantages: Difficult to Build, Can be Expensive, Usually need your own land

3. Permanent

This style base camp is great, once again, if you have land off the beaten path and just want to get out before the SHTF. The permanent base camp may be just like a home with walls and a roof. It’s a lot like a cabin many outdoorsmen have for their hunting trips. Ideally it is not hard to get to, but not right out in the open for the whole world to see either. Overall, it is easier to build, but harder to hide than the bunker.

• Advantages: Good protection from the elements, fairly defensible

• Disadvantages: Expensive, not easily hidden, need your own land

4. Emergency

This one is usually found near a survival cache. It’s a spot where all the basics are covered like shelter, weapons, 3 days worth of food, and water gathering materials. You make this camp in preparation of moving to a better more permanent location soon.  They are great for those of us that like being able to Bug Out quickly without a second thought.

• Advantages: Very quick to set up, easily hidden, cheap,

• Disadvantages: temporary, not easily defended, limited supplies

More Types?

I am sure there are other types that I am missing but these are the first few that come to mind when thinking about TEOTWAWKI. If you have any other kinds of survival camps let us know. I am always open to suggestions.

Man vs. Wild building a shelter