stroud’s Tip
It’s important to keep the inside of winter shelters free
from snow. Native peoples, particularly the Inuit, are fas
tidious about shaking off every last fleck of snow before they
crawl inside a shelter. You need to be the same way. If you aren’t,
the snow will melt, leaving you damp and miserable.Jungles
The best type of shelter in the jungle is a leanto combined with a ham
mock or platform bed to keep you protected from the critters that live on
the jungle floor.
Wind is not usually a consideration because of the denseness of the
vegetation, and a leanto should allow you to make a fire. Just make sure
your bed is well up off the ground! A Waorani friend of mine once woke
up to find a snake sleeping curled around his legs. He lay still for the next
seven hours until the snake finally moved on, apparently fully rested.
Your jungle survival kit should contain bug netting, which will make
all the difference in the quality of your sleep. Drape it over your bed or
cover yourself with it to keep most flying and stinging insects from get
ting to you.
Coastal Regions
Most coastal regions provide ample materials for shelter, as they are usu
ally not too far from temperate forests. Driftwood is another possible
shelterbuilding material found along the coast.
One oftenignored material in these regions that may help you when
constructing a shelter is the flotsam (beach junk) that washes up on shore.
You may find items such as fishing nets, pieces of plastic, and barrels, all of
which you—the adaptive and ingenious survivor—can use to your benefit.
In some coastal areas you may find enough large rocks to construct a
rock shelter. Build the shelter in the shape of a U, and cover the roof with
any suitable material, including driftwood. Be warned, though: these shel
ters are labor intensive and difficult to build, especially if you are lacking
food and energy.
(^176) | Survive!