I completely agree however shelter is extremely important in the rule of three's.<br>You die in: <br> 3 min without air<br> 3 hours without shelter <br> 3 days without water<br> 3 weeks without food<br><br>The PSK is very compact and easy to carry. However the rule is the rule. The Shelter priority is one of the highest. So I don't know what is best way, however I find it easy to carry at least one trash bag in my back pocket. If I was ever in real trouble I would be thankful that I did. How about you?<br>

Certainly no disgreement here. Some means of shelter should be carried by anyone going afield. People like me are likely to have a trash bag even in town not to mention what my attache contains (more toys that work!). That being said, the most important shelter ingredients are a head for finding shelter in the environs and a knife. Add to that some paracord and perhaps some duct tape, and "things" are looking much better even without a carried barrier!

My PSK, an altoids tin with all the normal stuff, contains a very thin 13 gallon trashbag. This is potentially a good addition to a debris shelter or some other structure. Alone, it would disentigrate before I could get it strung up as a tarp - expecially in any weather that I needed to shelter myself from. with a structure such that it only needed to provide the waterproofing but not the wind or support it might be a very good addition. <br><br>

Last time I looked at the stats, hypothermia was still the No 1 killer 'out there'. In all but the most minimal kits I carry shelter, and the latest is the ultralightweight 'space blanket', designed to radiate the body's heat back, can be opened up via velcro tabs, is washable, and packs down to a small pocket size. It is US made, more foldable than the earlier space blankets. If you have a pocket you can carry this item. Can't remember the brand, but I can supply it if anyone is interested and can't find a similar blanket. <br>Cheers, PeterR

I agree the rule is the rule. I agree that shelter is important. And yes, I do carry trash bags with me. <br><br>I think that most of the people on the forum agree with you that shelter is important. Many of us have made studies of building field expedient shelters from found and natural materials. Carrying materials to make shelters makes it easier. <br><br>A lawn size trash bag would take up all or most of an altoids tin. Stuffing a trashbag in pocket along with your altoids tin would add another layer to your preparation.<br><br>I put my lawn trash bag in a sandwhich size ziplock. It keeps the trash bag from unfolding and making a large mess. Since I have kids, I keep one kitchen sized and one lawn size in the same ziplock. I keep a couple of these in the front pockets of my daypacks so they are easy to find in the event of a downpour. They can be made into ponchos by punching a head sized hole in the bottom.<br><br>In my fanny pack and daypack kits, I also carry space blanket bags. They are larger than trash bags, offer the reflective qualities of a space blanket, and are easier to be seen than a black, green, or brown trash bag by rescuers.<br><br>I don't think anyone disagrees with you about the need for shelter. The issue is more of finding a portable shelter that will fit in a pocket sized kit and still leave room for other supplies as well.

I agree that having a plastic shelter is a great idea to keep available with the PSK. <br><br>I carry a Tacoma Mountain Storm Shelter tube tent in the back of my vest at all times along with some paracord. Because of the bulk it is not actually a part of my PSK but a part of my EDC.<br><br>Looking at mebrad's excellent post (could you survive for 4 weeks on your PSK?), his FIRST DAY would be much easier with a plastic tube tent or larger sheet of plastic. Then as he states subsequent days are used to improve the shelter etc. It is unlikely that a plastic tube tent will last thru a major storm or even the stresses of 4 weeks use, but I think it gets you set up with decent shelter for the first few critical days.