Great subject! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have been thinking for awhile that Doug Ritter needs to add a small shelter to his collection of survival gear. I see he has the Tacoma Mountain Rescue Storm Shelter as something he carries but on another page he bad mouths tube tents.

I would really like to see your shelters set up to see how practical they are. I carry a HD Space Blanket in my CamelBack. I also have a small plastic bag that has 6 thin steel tent stakes and cord. I also have a large (6.5 feet long) clear trash bag. I use one cord to make an A-frame shelter out of the Space Blanket. I then put the trash bag on the ground as protection from wet and cold. I also have flagging tape to put on the cord to catch rainwater from dripping into the shelter. When it is set up it looks like a wedge.

It seems that a regular Space Blanket or trash bags would be good as cover over a pole or cord to make an A-frame shelter. It seems it would need to be covered with foliage as protection from the wind and heavy rain.

My preference is the TMR Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tent. Baicall and 8' plastic tube. and packs down a little smaller than two space blankets. It is ofcourse omitted from my pocket kits.

Pete_Kenney,

I carry them too. They come in pretty handy, not a bad thing to throw in PSKs.

I was going to go the exact opposite way: tempered steel wire nails. They don't bend, but watch your eyes.

Go look at what Gene Ward is doing in this regard at www.survivalandoutdoorsafety.com

I just placed an order with him, and I will let you all know.

You know, this thread reminds me of an idea I had a while back. Why is it no one makes an inflatable frameless rigid survival tent? I mean, think about it, what if you could just hook up a CO2 cartridge, pull the pin, and have yourself an instant tube tent with rigid walls and a high insulation value in a matter of a few seconds? Granted, it may not be the smallest thing going, but for an emergency situation, I think it would be pretty cool. Besides, even if you poke a hole in it, you can still use it as a tube tent, albeit then you have to suspend the roof somehow, but isn't that what's needed with a tube tent anyways?

Just a thought.

If it helps, I p/u the Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tent made in USA by Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit from our local REI store on Friday. The description on the front of the bag reads 5 oz. 80x96 Plastic Tube Tent. It comes in a zip-lock bag and has a survival pamphlet inside as well as a book of matches. The pamphlet covers mind set, ground to air emergency code, choosing a camp site, finding or making shelter, fire building, dehydration/finding water, finding direction without a compass, and makes some suggestions for a survival kit. The bag is 6"x4.5" and .5" thick. Paul.

Cool idea, but I would imagine the the amount/ size of needed CO2 cartridges and firing mechanism would weigh more than tent poles.

Welcome aboard Paul! I have carried one of the TMRU shelters for decades. I replace it occasionally. I have used it on a few trips when I got stuck out with out a planned overnight and in a storm. It works very well. Much easier to stay covered then with a space blanket, which is just a sheet. I pulled my daypack over my feet, the tube tent over me and threw my poncho over a bush and crawled under. A little condensation was my only moisture. Space blankets are for satellites <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Thw TMCU shelter is really a tube, but not something large enough that you can actually make a tent out of. It is like an open ended bag. The material is a durable, light, thin plastic, that is why I prefer the shelter. I sure would not do a planned campout in it! It is pocket sized and in an emergency it works without any fancy rigging. Only a couple bucks, give it a try!