Tag: Shelter

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Pocket Super Shelter Now On Kickstarter

Local favorite Mikhail Merkurieff has a new survival shelter project on kickstarter that just crossed into the funded category.

I’m a big fan of some of the previous projects he’s done (especially the nice Cabuya Handlines) and I think this is one that is going to be living in one of my kits for sure. The basis is a stronger, lightweight emergency shelter for winter conditions.

I’m sure many of us have used various mylar blankets, or other products to maximize warmth in bad conditions, and make no mistake they can help. However,  there are limitations in most existing commercial products that this product is designed to address. Check out the video, and give it a kick.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1621478444/pocket-super-shelter-life-saving-warmth-in-the-wil

I’m really excited to try out the heat capture, which should give large benefits over the basic practice of directing the opening of a shelter to the heat source.  A little less smoke, and a lot more contained warmth would be very welcome. Getting it in a lightweight package that won’t be destroyed just by using it once is even better.

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What Would You Do? Car Edition!

When disasters, emergencies, or accidents occur to others, they can serve to us as a learning opportunity. When the Herriman fire broke out last fall, we posted information regarding how to prepare for such an emergency. When a couple earthquakes struck just west of Lehi this past January, we posted how to prepare for that event, and what to do in its aftermath.

A family in my congregation just went through a grueling experience of their own. Their story can be read here.

Continue reading “What Would You Do? Car Edition!”

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Turtle Tuff Shelter Demonstration

As a web developer who freelances in addition to my full time employment, I sometimes take advantage of bartering opportunities. Last year one such opportunity presented itself—I was on the lookout for a military surplus tent of some sort, and came across a company (based here in Utah) called Turtle Tuff Shelters who made yurt-like geodesic shelters. Their website at the time was very.. ahem.. lacking, so I suggested a barter. They agreed, and a few months later I became the owner of a 24′ Turtle Tuff Shelter.

The interesting thing about these shelters, and the reason I opted to get one of these as opposed to some other form of tent/shelter, is that the structure is a geodesic frame which helps greatly with load bearing, wind resistance, with lightweight, high-strength, tempered, aircraft aluminum alloy rods. The dome shape distributes any weight or force across a broader area, thus minimizing any impact it receives. Each of the individual hubs/joints hold over 300 lbs. because of this design. The frame is designed to withstand almost 150mph winds when staked to the ground.

Putting the shelter together has been on my to-do list since last year, but not until today have I made the time to do it. With the help of a friend of mine, I spent the morning putting the tent together—partially, anyways. We assembled the frame and covered it; due to time constraints, we weren’t able to proceed with setting up the floor. Additionally, once the shelter is assembled you determine where you want your door and window to be, and you then cut out material, apply adhesive zippers, etc. I preferred to wait until if/when I actually have to use the shelter before making any permanent alterations to the materials.

Continue reading “Turtle Tuff Shelter Demonstration”