Bushcraft Survival Australia - How to build an improvised emergency shelter

In this episode Gordon demonstrates how to erect a simple improvised emergency shelter using a garbage bag/drum liner and a disposable space blanket. The video details site selection, equipment needed, knots used (sheet bend, adjustable knot, clove hitch, bush button and thumb knot on the bight), set up and heat/ loss gain mechanisms.
The video is presented by Gordon Dedman, founder of Bushcraft Survival Australia (BSA). Gordon has travelled extensively and completed numerous Survival and Bushcraft Courses worldwide at schools run by Ray Mears, Dave Canterbury, Paul Kirtley, Lofty Wiseman and Bob Cooper. Gordon is a former member of the Australian Army 1st Commando Regiment and is presently a survival instructor in NORFORCE, an Australian Army Reserve Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU). NORFORCE conducts patrols in the remote areas of Northern Australia, working closely with Aboriginal communities.
Please follow all safety procedures when lighting fires outdoors and always adhere to the laws and guidelines set down by your State or country of origin, governing fire lighting.
For more information about Bushcraft Survival Australia courses, please visit: www.BushcraftSurvivalAustralia.com.au On the Person
Morakniv Garberg (Carbon) full tang knife alnk.to/hDjqBEe
Bacho Laplander folding saw bit.ly/3b8hXI0
Fire striker (Strikefire or Light my Fire or Morakniv) on a lanyard alnk.to/gdZmL94
Leatherman Supertool alnk.to/3TUk6RC
10m hank of 550 paracord bit.ly/3nQeK5b
Small Day Pack (Fjallraven Kanken or Helikon-Tex Bushcraft Satchel - alnk.to/e70gZnA
Kleen Kanteen 20oz or 40oz stainless steel, wide mouthed, single walled bottle with nesting cup alnk.to/7WXKFps
Pathfinder or Survival Supplies Australia /Bushcraft Survival Australia special edition All Weather Emergency Blanket (in production and coming soon) bit.ly/3h6Cnov
Heavy duty extra large non pleated garbage bag (new BSA survival bag in production and coming soon)
SOL Emergency Space Blanket/Bivvi bit.ly/3vLLi2X
Ledlenser MH4 head lamp alnk.to/4Bzm1V3
Falkniven DC4 sharpening stone bit.ly/3eYkSo1
Bushcraft Survival Australia Bandanas bit.ly/3nQ8iem
Suunto MC-2G Global Compass OR Silva Ranger Compass (also worn on the person) bit.ly/3tsGRZj
Small First Aid Kit bit.ly/3f3alI7
Military wound dressing/bandage bit.ly/3bbanMK
Overboard 10-15 litre dry bag alnk.to/7qdtJ0b
Helikon-Tex Military Poncho bit.ly/3xR28iI
Fjallraven Wool Beanie alnk.to/3y4O95k
Fjallraven Keb long sleeved wool t-shirt alnk.to/fS9QOdf
Fjallraven Vida Pro Trousers alnk.to/60TpSzj
Fjallraven Singi Trekking Shirt alnk.to/6bOaRoM
Fjallraven Vidda Pro Jacket alnk.to/3y4O9aV
“Rite in the Rain” Tactical note pad alnk.to/dequ64y
Large Pack (Snugpak 45L Rocket Pack with PLC side pockets) bit.ly/3eYEb0h
Alton Goods 3x3 Ultralight Tarp bit.ly/3en0VYR or Helikon-Tex Supertarp (small or large) bit.ly/33nd8Xa
Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin or Softie 6 Kestral synthetic sleeping bag bit.ly/3tntjy9
Sea to Summit Thermolite “Reactor” sleeping bag liner bit.ly/2QRAfGR
Snugpak Special Forces Bivvi Bag or ex army bivvy bag bit.ly/3ur1hD7
Snugpak 3/4 Mini Matt or Klymit Static V (short) sleeping matt bit.ly/33kTMSo
Military nylon ground sheet
Wash kit and Helikon-Tex Shemagh (towel) bit.ly/3h9jphk
“Survival” Snake Bite First Aid Kit
Ledlenser ML4 mini lantern alnk.to/4qEB371
Powertraveller Extreme Tactical Solar Powered Charger alnk.to/6mIVQgx
Helikon-Tex Enlarged Packcell Bag (for spare clothes) bit.ly/2SmC4vx
Fjallraven Granit Lumberjack Wool Shirt alnk.to/74nXLv4 OR Swandri Ranger Wool Bush Shirt
Swazi Tahr Anorak
fishing kit (optional) bit.ly/2QTrUT0
Alton Goods Lightweight Hammock bit.ly/3xNJrwl and Bug Net bit.ly/3b5ftKB (optional)
Side Pocket 1
Pathfinder Woodsman’s Pantry
Wildo Camp-A-Box (optional) bit.ly/3nUJcuT
Food/Rations (4-6 days)
Side Pocket 2
Kleen Kanteen 40oz stainless steel, single walled, wide mouthed, water bottle bit.ly/3nSvys4 OR Pathfinder 32oz bottle, nesting cup and pot hanger bit.ly/3nQ90bw
Snowpeak Mini Solo Cookset
Zebra 14inch Camping Pot/Saucepan bit.ly/3h1It9T
Alton Goods Ultralight Titanium Grill bit.ly/3enqh8N
Military Milbank Filter OR Brown Bag
MSR 4 Litre Dromedary Bag
Sea to Summit Mini Pocket Shower bit.ly/3xSvbT7
Collapsable bowl

[@Gia_Mc_Fia]

This tutorial is slamming! You make everything easy to understand. Every step was like being taught right there with you in person. I have so much to practice this week holy moly, thanks so much for all the great information. Hugs!

[@edramirezphotography]

An alternative to garbage bags would be builders plastic or polythene plastic available from bunnings in 2x5m, 2x10m, 2x20m rolls and varying thickness. Just cut to length. Very durable and already in the shape you need and no pleats.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks, I will be sure to check that out. They don't have regular garbage bags that are un-pleated though. Thanks for watching

[@joeyg846]

your channel is super good man, hope you keep making videos

[@charlim1505]

Loving the knots, nice and easy to see how to go about it. Thanks.

[@Alan.livingston]

I love the irony that old mates name is Dedman.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Fortunately the spelling is different as it would then be very ironic 😀

[@PAULNAT]

thanks for sharing Gordon, I always enjoy watching you stuff.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

I appreciate your kind words. Please feel free to share.

[@luthienvalantor8933]

Thanks for the episode, it's great to learn new methods. Keep up the great work.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks for your support and feedback. More videos on their way soon.

[@ERIKOFFTRACK]

Great video! Simple is best, will have to give that a go one day.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thank you for the positive feedback.

[@friendlyantz]

Thanks Gordon, wish I saw this a week ago to add the button and blanket layer to my rainy day setup here in Victoria. Cheers

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It’s basic in principal and works really well. The only limiting factor are the terrible garbage bags we get here in Oz. However, you have to make use of what you have! Thanks for watching.

[@andrewh6034]

Thanks. Nice shelter out of a few lightweight basic items. Cheers

[@maidofmilo]

Great video, thank you

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks, I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for your support.

[@BushCraftBums]

Hey Brother! Awesome video! Great display of skills! Stay blessed

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thank you for the positive feedback and support. I’m glad you like them, more on their way soon.

[@GreencampRhodie]

Never seen it done that way before. Good vid.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Just another way of doing it, there are many ways to skin a rabbit, its just about improvising and using what you have.

[@peteremerson4150]

Thanks for another an informative video. Looking forward to watching others you produce. Peter North West slopes NSW

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thank you for the positive feedback...t’s very much appreciated. Please feel free to share these videos so as to help them to become more visible.

[@cybergazza2140]

Great video as always. May i suggest using animal cadaver bags. We used them back in my old infantry days for river crossings with our packs. Very heavy duty. You can get them in all manner of sizes (dogs, horses etc) and they are as tough as nails. They usually come on a roll or in flat packets. Thick polyethylene will always get the job done, takes up little space...👌

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

That’s a great idea. I didn’t know that and will make some enquiries. I always end up purchasing them from the states as the bags in Bunnings in Australia are terrible! However, you have what you have and have to make do with anything. Thanks for the insight...I will be sure to share that.

[@justindawson3428]

Another great video Gordon. I'm a bit disappointed you have replaced your Ray Mears knife but I think I know why. Hope to catch up with you again soon.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Not replaced, I still use it all the time. I use different knives all the time, and whatever one I’m using at the time while I’m filming is the one that ends up on video.

[@its_henlxy333]

Hey mate nice vid , itd be nice to see you have more views because i believe you're very deserving aye . Anyway, can i suggest (for my own interest also) a video on as many different ways you can make a fishing rod and maybe spears using just the land incase youre lost/stuck near a lake or any body of water? Cheers mate keep it up

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks for your feedback....please feel free to like and share to help get those numbers up. I will endeavour to do something on fishing in the near future.

[@geoffgeoff143]

Question. Why wouldn't you use the blanket by itself instead of the bag?

[@allaussietraveller9879]

I might have missed it in the vid but what is the benefit of using both garbage bag and space blanket? Could you not just use the space blanket for the shelter and keep the bin bag for water carrying etc.? Or is it an additional insulation/strength issue? Cheers for the videos!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It was a video on how a garbage bag can be used as a shelter if needed. You would not want to cut up the bag if you needed it for something else Eg. Water carrier, cooking container with hot rocks, etc. The garbage bag actually helps to reinforce the space blanket as they are very thin and flimsy on their own. With the bush button in the back it creates a nice reinforced structure that is more rigid in the wind and doesn't act as a sail.. I appreciate the question and thanks for watching.

[@charliebrownau]

Gday Have you done a video on DIY bushcraft bed ?

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

In the “Cabbage Tree Lean-to” episode we build a springy bough bed. You can also see a raised platform bed in the “Raised Jungle shelter” episode.

[@123fuhfrtgfh]

Where can I find this stuff in an emergency

[@charliebrownau]

Gday Whats your view on the TIN fireplace instead of openair dirt fireplace

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

When you say fireplace are you meaning a reflector wall?

[@lonewolfoutdoors4606]

I would use the Space Blanket as a shelter and the bag on the Ground or made some kind of A frame Shelter. Dont understand your choises.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It’s just one option of many. There are many ways to skin a rabbit, and there are many other ways this could be configured which I do as well. Filming only allows you to film one at a time though.

[@charliebrownau]

Gday Can you use a tarp instead of overseas plastic bag

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes of course. You can use anything that you have at hand. The point of this shelter is to teach you to improvise with common items. Thanks for watching.

[@XxBloggs]

This is dangerous. It won’t help you in any bushfire situation.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

What on earth has building an emergency shelter got to do with a bushfire? No kind of shelter would help you in a bushfire! The episode is about an improvised way to build an emergency shelter if you don't have one. It has nothing to do with a bushfire emergency!