THE SURVIVAL RULE OF THREES
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

When you stop and really think about these rules of three the fragility of the human body becomes glaringly clear.  If you are an average American you need to consider that when a sudden unexpected event occurs statistics indicate that you probably will not be at home.  If on the other hand you spend more time at home, then most, you still need to accept the reality that a sudden, unexpected event may very well occur at a time that is most inconvenient for you; while you are in transit.  If that unfortunate event were to occur; According to our rule of three’s one of your first concerns should be suitable shelter.

Second only to properly conditioning your spirit; your mind is your most valuable survival tool.  Train your mind to create solutions for potential problems.    Looking back at our “rules of three” we see that shelter is number one; even above food and water.  Of course these “rules of three” are just general guide lines.   They are just intended to act as a guide to help us establish priorities.

What needs might suitable shelter be called upon to fulfill?  The answer to that question depends upon the circumstances, time of year, weather, security needs,  the nature of the unexpected event,  geography and other factors.

As you are traveling, to and fro, examine the geography to consider what might serve as suitable shelter, at any given location, at any given time. Here is some food for thought to help you step outside the box when you are away from home, you can’t use your vehicle for traveling and motels are not an option.

You could find shelter  in/under abandoned cars, trucks and trailers,  abandoned homes, abandoned buildings of any type i.e. commercial, garages, storage sheds, etc.,  culverts, in/under trains,  outhouses, tree houses,  under bridges,  in tunnels,  industrial areas (where various refuse can be improvised), root wells created by fallen trees,  rock formations,  empty hot tubs etc.

Your list is limited only by your imagination.  Of course any preparations you have made for unexpected events will always help.  Proper clothing, good wool blankets, tarps, ponchos, fire making capabilities, knowledge of how to construct temporary shelters, bug out bags, etc.  all expand your potential temporary nesting nooks.

So when you’re out and about give these things some thought.  Hopefully you will never have to implement any of your plans.  But if you do, your preplanning could, save your life as well as those who are with you.

I’ll see you out in the field,
Rayphe