Obtaining Shelter

Since the beginning of time, humankind has sought shelter from tumultuous nature, ravenous animals, heat and cold, and fellow man.  Shelter provides protection from physical, as well as emotional perils.  Sleeping wrapped up in a warm comfortable bed provides a feeling of safety, satisfaction, and solace that is unsurpassable.  Most Americans today live in enough comfort to sleep safely at night.  But there are many in this world that would rip you from your nest and spill you out into the streets. Those who are currently homeless have one advantage over those comforted by a home: they know how to find shelter.  What shall you do if and when this world tears down the walls of your home and exposes you to the dangers of reality? How do you protect your family, friends, or your self?  Do you have a plan? Do you know what to look for in shelter? 

As stated previously, there are three types of shelter: hasty, semi permanent, and permanent.  Each have their pros and cons.  You may also be competing with others to obtain shelter.  

Hasty shelters can be found in many forms: a large drain pipe, a fallen tree, a small shack, or even build quickly, depending on location and environment.  There are a multitude of types of hasty shelters to include: debris shelters, tarp shelters, tree shelters, and spider holes. Each of these will leave you exposed to some degree to the rigors of nature to include weather, animals, and insects.  Remember, a hasty shelter should only be temporary on your search for a permanent shelter, unless you enjoy or are forced to live the transient lifestyle.  There are more than enough websites and videos providing instructions on building hasty shelters, so I shall not waste your time here.  A search on YouTube or a search engine will furnish interminable sources of information, both good and bad.  

Semi permanent shelters are considered a bit more structurally secure, should provide a greater sense of security from the rigors of nature, and be potentially mobile.  This category would include tents, campers, shelters manufactured for such purposes, as well as others.  Semi permanent shelters should be ones that an individual or group can build or erect quickly, but should also remain dependable in times of disaster. The ability to pick up and move quickly to evade potential enemies, elude poor weather,  or move from exhausted resources is beneficial.  The nomadic lifestyle can also be detrimental to group cohesiveness, discourage a sense of belonging to a certain place, and potentially facilitate the proliferation of disease such as in the case of the Black Plague starting in the mid-1300’s. The pandemic’s spread was expedited through trade, war, and human migration. 

Permanent shelters are any facilities or buildings which are used or intended to be used in the same location for a time period in excess of one year.  The pros of a permanent shelter include the ability to grow food crops, potentially better security, and stability of surroundings.  The cons include buildup of waste products (including human waste), an unrealistic sense of security, and the potential of being detected by others through the smell of smoke and/or cooking food, or the wear and tear of high traffic paths to your shelter.  In a world where concealment may equivocate thriving, permanent shelters may not be favorable. 

The decision concerning which type of shelter is best is dependent upon the environment, situation, and the individual. 

Next: Water: the elixir of life and apprentice of death