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A Roof Of

Polyethylene
PHOTO BY CREEK STEWART
17 WAYS TO MAKE A SHELTER FROM A TARP
Story by Ryan Lee Price

omans in the fields of Europe 1,000 years ago erected tents [TOP] Simple tarp
shelters can be
made of leather, while their nomadic contemporaries to the east
made easily and
used woven hemp and wool to build yurts. Leather and hemp quickly with mini-
made way for canvas 200 to 300 years ago, which led to light- mal equipment, pro-
viding much need
weight polyester and nylon used in todays modern tents. respite from the
Though easy to carry and relatively simple to put up, there are numerous wind, sun, rain, or
situations you might find yourself in where a traditional tent isnt something snow. It conserves
body heat and
you have or was something you were forced to give up. As a refugee obligated offers a sense of
to quickly leave your residence or a victim of some tragedy that completely comfort, which
raises morale in
obliterated your residence and everything in itincluding your $400 six-man
tough situations.
tent with optional skylight and porchthe idea of spending the night under
the stars under such circumstances can sound dreadful, especially in the
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pouring rain or the depths of winter. A basic shelter can keep your head dry,
conserve heat, as well as provide a comforting sense of safety.

108 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE


In any emer-
gency situation, Tarp Shelters:
for example,
where every-
What Not To Do
thing you own is > Dont set up your shelter over an ant nest or over
about to get
completely
any sort of burrow entrance.
soaking wet or > Dont set up your shelter in a gully or on a river-
the sun has bank, you may get flash floods.
become so
unbearable that > Dont set up your shelter below the high water
you think you mark on a shoreline.
cant take
> Dont set up your shelter on top of a hill or ridge.
another step, a
makeshift shel- These spots attract lightning.
ter can be had > Dont attach lines to tall trees or a tree standing
with little more
than a tarp and
alonethese sorts of tree attract lightning
some rope. strikes. A short tree in a group of taller trees is
safer.
> Dont set up your shelter beneath a tree branch
that is dead or partly broken. While overhead
tree branches can serve well as an anchor point,
it may be better not to do so, in case the tree
There are dozens of materials out today that can be branch breaks during a storm.
used to make a tent, such as woven cotton canvas, nylon > Dont set up your shelter beneath a dead tree or
tent fabric, and laminated plastic poly tarpseven plas- within the falling distance of a dead tree. One
tic painters drop cloths. Ideally, any rectangular or day, all dead trees eventually fall over, and that
square sheet of waterproof material will work in an day might be the day you set up camp.
emergency, but poly tarps are the most durable and > Dont set up your shelter after dark if you can
lightweight in relation to their square footage. Brand help it. However, shelter is the first thing to do in
new, they are virtually draft-proof and waterproof, mak- a survival situation.
ing them great for catching water, as well as keeping it > Always set up camp in relation to wind direction.
out. They are made of polyethylene, the most common Wind direction changes during the course of the
plastic there is, and they have heat-sealed seams, grom- day, but vegetation will grow and bend over to
mets every few feet along the edges, and sometimes the Lee side, showing the direction of the prevail-
reinforced corners. Standard, lightweight poly tarps ing (strongest, most common) winds.
come in a variety of sizes and, although they may be
lighter than canvas tarps, they melt and burn far more
easily than canvas.
Take into account the purpose of your shelter. Make it
as large as it needs to be to support the number of peo-
ple that intend to use it and as sturdy as the environment
dictates. Consider the weather. Any shelter can become
TARP TRICKS
There are several different tips and tricks
unstable and collapse if weight overloads the supports.
that can be used to make your tarp shel-
In the case of a shelter made from a tarp, it doesnt take
ter slightly more bearable, or at least,
much. Storm debris, rain, hail, or snow may lie on top of
combat some of the conditions that
the shelter (or be blown against it), until it can no longer
might cause additional discomfort.
support the weight.
1. Reinforce folds with a taut length of
Like in real estate, the three most important things
paracord staked at either end and running
you need to consider in pitching a tarp shelter is location,
along the inside of the fold. The cord will not
location, location. The set-up of a tarp shelter must take
only keep the fold square but it will help keep the roof
account from which way the wind is blowing in order to
from buckling in the wind.
keep the tent from becoming an out-of-control sail
2. Build up a foundation of earth (or snow or mud) that overlays
thrashing in the breezes. Ideally, the ground should slope
the outside edges of the tarp where it meets the ground. It will cre-
slightly for water runoff, but you may have to dig
ate a shelter against drafts pouring in from underneath the edges.
trenches around your shelter to aid in drainage.
Note: The small trench on the insides provides a place for condensa-
There are literally dozens of different ways and con-
tion to gather if it drips down the inside of the tarp.
figurations to construct a suitable shelter with only a sin-
3. A quick way to attach a length of paracord to the grommet of
gle tarp (in our examples, we use a 10x10-foot tarp), a
a tarp that will add strength is to loop it around a stick. The stick
length of 550 paracord, a few cheap aluminum stakes
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will hold the cord in place while distributing the tension on the tarp
(or rocks) and some poles (walking sticks, trekking
over a wider area instead of on the grommet alone.
poles, or branches can act as supports if needed).

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 109


A Roof Of
Polyethylene

1 2 3

4 5 6

01. Basic A-Frame 03. Basic Lean-To 05. Mushroom Fly


The ubiquitous A-Frame shelter Secured to the ground on the Very similar to the Basic Sun-
can be had by stringing the para- windward side and supported by shade, the Mushroom Fly adds in
cord between two trees, draping the paracord between two anchor a central support pole at the
over the tarp, and staking it down points, the Basic Lean-To is sim- tarps midpoint. Designed for rain
not only on the corners, but along ple to make and great for deflect- runoff or snow shedding, the
the sides to keep out the wind. ing wind or providing a sunshade. Mushroom Fly is sturdy and
The 30-degree angle of the tarps At a 30-degree angle, the Basic roomy, provided the four corners
roof will produce a 10-foot-long Lean-To can provide 5 feet of of the tarp a well secured. It can
living space approximately 8.6- height and 8.6 feet of width be as tall or as short as you need,
feet wide and 2.5-feet tall. under the shelter. depending on the length of the
PROS: Good rain/snow runoff PROS: Easy to erect, quick to center support pole. In inclement
and, if the angle is high enough, take down, provides great deflec- weather, consider building this as
good wind deflection. tion from wind and shelter from low to the ground as possible.
CONS: There is no floor nor door rain or sun. PROS: Great rain runoff and
flaps and, if the paracord is not CONS: There are no sides, nor snow/leaves shedding; works
stretched tight enough, there will floor to protect against other ele- well as a sunshade.
be sagging in the middle. ments. CONS: No sides to protect
against the wind or cold.
02. Basic Sunshade 04. Tube Tent
Strung with lengths of paracord With the paracord secured 06. Cornucopia
between four anchoring points between two trees, two-thirds of Also known as the Cornet, the
(e.g. trees), the Basic Sunshade the tarp is draped over with the Cornucopia utilizes one long
shelter is parallel to the ground opposite ends secured together, length of paracord strung from a
and provides, at most, 100- creating a Basic A-Frame, but tree to ground. The tarp is draped
square-feet of shade against the with a floor. Sixty-degree walls over the paracord diagonally,
sun at high noon. Angling it will provide only 3.3-feet of width while the leading edges fold
toward the sun will make it more and 2.8-feet of headroom, which under to form the floor. Face the
efficient. This configuration can- isnt much room for a single adult, corner into the wind and stake it
not be used in the rain, as the and much less for two. well to keep out the weather. A
water will pool in the middle. A PROS: It is a sturdy shelter with a 10x10 tarp makes for tight living
possible variation of this can be floor and, if properly secured to quarters, though, while rain will
built by adding support poles to the ground, will prevent rain from run down the single slanted para-
each corner, or perhaps a single seeping in. cord and into the shelter. Above
support pole in the middle. (See CONS: There are no door flaps the entrance, tie off some drip
Mushroom Fly.) and the paracord must be kept lines of string to combat this.
PROS: Provides the maximum taut to work effectively. PROS: Good wind deflection and
shelter against the sun rain/snow/debris shedding.
CONS: Not suitable for cold CONS: Not much headroom and
weather or able to support rain. it might be too short for tall peo-
ple and their gear.
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7 8 9

10 11 12

07. Wind Shed staked. However, a more gentle 10. Fold-Over Wind Shed 12. Miners Tent
Also known as the C-Fly, the Wind slopping walls will accommodate Similar in design as the tradi- In order to construct this some-
Shed employs a full groundsheet more people and/or gear but will tional Wind Shed, this version what complicated shelter, a tarp
designed into it. Folding the tarp allow for less headroom. As with provides more coverage by sacri- ratio of 1:2 is required (e.g. 10x20-
into thirds, make sure the leading the Cornucopia, drip lines will be ficing the groundsheet. The foot tarp), and because so many
edge of the roof hangs over the needed in rainy weather. height of the paracord ridgeline folds are necessary to perfect it,
groundsheet for adequate rain PROS: Good wind deflection and determines the angle of the roof an illustration is included. Start by
runoff. Secure the main ridgeline rain shedding abilities; can and the footprint of the shelter. In lashing four, 10-foot-long support
with paracord stretched between accommodate a larger group of windier climates, a low sloping poles together at one end (for the
two trees, while supporting the people or more equipment. roof will better deflect wind when peakF) and spread out the four
gable ends to the ground with CONS: No floor or flaps to com- it is placed against the wind. other ends to form a square on
shorter lengths of paracord. Since pletely keep out the elements. If PROS: Great wind deflection and the groundA, B, C, D. Affix the
this is designed for wind deflec- the wind changes direction fre- rain runoff. middle of the long edge of the
tion, consider adding a length of quently, the shelter will be com- CONS: No floor, flaps or sides to tarp (F) to the top of the poles.
paracord to the bottom fold, promised. protect completely against the Start by attaching FI to the rear
where the back panel meets the elements. right pool. HI will be the rear bot-
groundsheet. A few rocks placed 09. Dining Fly tom edge, while IE will become
along that fold (on the inside) Similar to the Basic A-Frame, the 11. Half Box the right-side bottom edge. FH is
will help (see Tarp Tricks). Dining Fly has been used for When time isnt of the essence then attached to the left-rear
PROS: Great wind deflection countless decades by miners and and you have a more leisure pole, so that HG will be the left-
CONS: Requires a lot of campers as a simple open-air opportunity to build a shelter, side bottom edge. The front flaps
stakes/secure points; the hanging cover, good for a sunshade while consider the Half Box. Similar to are made up of triangle FGC and
roofline could sag under rain providing a modicum of head- the Barn Stall, the Half Box FBE, while triangles GHD and EIA
loads and drain onto the ground- room without sacrificing too requires the use of at least four are folded under to be a partial
sheet; no doors or fourth side for much space. Though limited in its support poles and probably as floor. When done, the Miners
protection from the elements. ability to ward off the weather many or more tie-downs to hold it Tent is just over 9-feet high in the
(besides rain) due to its lack of all up. The footprint is only 25- center and has a living area of
08. Diamond Fly sides and doors (like the Basic square feet, but it provides two more than 68-square feet.
A 10x10 tarp has a diagonal Sunshade), it is a poplar configu- sides of protection from the ele- PROS: When properly con-
length of just over 14 feet, making ration for desert survival. The ments. If not supported in the structed, staked and secured to
the Diamond Fly perfect for more height of the support poles dic- middle or kept taut from the the support poles, it is a very
than one person. Secure the para- tates the amount of headroom sides, it will sag under any load of sturdy shelter, able to withstand
cord to a tree and the ground and and footprint the shelter will pro- rain, snow or debris. A full one- quite a bit; it makes a complete
drape over the tarp at a diagonal. vide, but is a sturdy shelter when quarter of the tarp goes unused enclosure; very spacious.
The length of paracord and angle properly tied down and staked. and folded up behind the rear CONS: Complicated to build,
with which it is tied to a tree PROS: Provides ventilation and a corner. requires a specific size tarp and
determines the overall headroom good coverage with adequate PROS: Good sunshade from all- four 10-foot poles.
and width of the shelter. Take into headroom. Good for the desert. day sun if positioned properly.
consideration the reason for CONS: No sides or flaps for com- CONS: No floor or flaps; a quarter
building it: steep walls will shed plete protection; not for windy of the tarp goes unused; can be
rain, snow, and debris, and the environments. difficult to set up; requires four 5-
angled end (similar to the Cornu- foot support poles and many tie-
copia) will deflect wind if well downs.
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A Roof Of
Polyethylene

13. Arrowhead 16. Square Arch


13 Construction of the Arrowhead As the name implies, a Square
can start by supporting the center Arch shelter is an arch with a
of two perpendicular edges with square top. Starting with two par-
5-foot-long poles or by attaching allel lengths of paracord attached
those edges to trees with para- to anchor points approximately 3
cord. The opposite corner gets feet apart and 3 feet high, drape
staked to the ground (or it is the ground cloth over the two
where the other ends of the para- lengths of paracord and secure
cord meet). It creates a series of the long ends of the tarp with
four triangles, allowing for 5-feet stakes. The dimensions of the
of headroom at the opening and shelter are dependent on how
just over 7-feet of width (and 35.3 high the paracord is strung and/or
square feet of living space). The how far apart they are. The
flap hangs down for make for a description here represents the
14 partial closure. maximum allowed so the ends
PROS: The low profile deflects still touch the ground. An alterna-
the wind, and it is very roomy. tive is to secure one paracord
CONS: The poles need to be sup- slightly higher than the other to
ported by paracord tie-downs; allow for rain runoff or angle one
theres no floor and the flap only side for wind deflection. As is, this
partially covers the opening. shelter is 3-feet wide, 3-feet tall
and 10-feet long.
14. Barn Stall PROS: Narrow construction for
Belonging to the Basic A-Frame building it in tight spaces.
family of shelters, the Barn Stall CONS: Odds of finding four
utilizes two to four five-foot poles anchor points in the needed prox-
for support or two poles and a imity is low; no flaps or floor.
15 paracord attached to two anchor
points. It is very similar to the 17. Quesadilla
Fold-Over Wind Shed with the The Quesadilla is an inverted
front being supported by poles, Shade Sail designed to deflect
instead. The flat roof isnt very wind and protect from light rain
efficient at shedding rain or while providing a large floor
debris, and the single 90-degree space. The corner of the tarp is
wall will be affected by the slight- attached to an anchor point with
est breezes, so it is best to con- the paracord and the remaining
struct this shelter out of the wind. corners and sides are staked to
It produces 50-square feet of liv- the ground, so the tarp is folded
ing space, but has no floor and on the diagonal. Used for mild
only one wall. weather, the base covers 50-
PROS: Simple to build for a quick square feet, and the height
16 sunshade depends on the angle of the roof
CONS: Not efficient in the rain or and the attachment point. An
wind; lacks floors and walls for alternative is to use a pole to sup-
adequate protection from the port the corner if no anchor point
weather. can be found, or tie up the far cor-
ner to the paracord for extra pro-
15. Shade Sail tection. To reinforce the fold line
Similar in concept to the Dia- of this shelter, stake a taut para-
mond Fly and the Basic A-Frame, cord line across the fold (see Tarp
the Shade Sail is a quick shelter Tricks).
that diagonally drapes the tarp PROS: Only requires a single
over a length of paracord anchor point, has a floor, and pro-
attached to two anchor points. tects well against the wind.
The opposite corners are staked CONS: Not very good at rain pro-
17
to the ground, providing a simple tection due to the triangular roof
shade shelter. Open and airy, the and not having sides.
overall square-feet of space
depends on how tall it is; the
lower the angles of the sides are,
the better it well be at deflecting
wind and the more shade it will
provide.
PROS: Provides all-day shade;
quick to set up; uses minimal
stakes.
CONS: Not weather resistant;
has no floor or flaps and will not
work well in the rain.
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112 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE

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