7 Uses For An EMERGENCY Group Shelter You Hadn't Considered

7 Uses For An EMERGENCY Group Shelter You Hadn't Considered

Carrying a group emergency shelter/bothy bag is always a good idea when you're out in the hills or in a situation where you may need to temporarily protect your group (or even just yourself) from the elements by providing a warm, waterproof, windproof environment.

Most of the time the shelter/bag will live in your pack and never see the light of day, which seems like a waste of both the money you paid for it as well as the effort you're taking to carry it around.

In this video I share several ideas for alternative uses for the shelter that you may not have considered.

0:00 Intro
0:33 - Use the damn thing!
1:55 - Sit/kneel pad
2:17 - Additional clothing layer
3:16 - Groundsheet
4:11 - Pillow
4:49 - Supplement your sleeping system
5:53 - Emergency signalling
6:23 - Congratulations to my camera man!

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#BushcraftPadawan

[TheBushcraftPadawan]

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[robincamps]

One extra consideration is that if you are using the Emergency Shelter as an Emergency Shelter and are waiting for the Rescue team to arrive but it is getting dark then leave your torch on, inside the bag. In the dark your torch can be seen from a distance but it only has a narrow beam. If you have your torch on inside the bag, in the dark you are providing a 360 degree iluminated bag that can bee seen for miles. This worked well for me and my group, in South America, when our local guide said "we are lost" he went off to find out where we should be and then came back. Getting back to us was easy as the Emergency shelter (No one was hurt, just tired) was a huge beacon in the dark.

[lyellclare]

I have a Bothy 2 and have set up a system so I can easily set up a ridge line between two trees, thus I don't use my body to hold it up. Works well and makes it more versatile and more comfortable.

[jeffreymchoul]

...kudos to Finley for taking the steps toward self-sufficiency and self-reliance that many adults never take. He has followed well in the footsteps of his Father before him. The times that you both share build a lifetime of memories...

[tullochgorum]

Another tip - if you're going to use the bag regularly, put it in a larger stuff-sack or dry bag so it's easier to repack. My Lomo came in a sack that's too small to be practical with cold hands in the wind. Packing in a more convenient sack makes it more likely that you'll pull out the bothy bag when you need shelter for a short break.

[mozki]

Used my rucksack as a sledge on the way down to Ladybower Reservoir in the Derbyshire Peak District...saved about ½ an hour 45mins maybe.
Fun too and not at all sketchy...honest

[jackvoss]

A key to camping that is safe, enjoyable, and lighter weight, is “EVERYTHING that we take along must (1) adequately perform multiple tasks, or (2) properly perform one critical task.”
As a 13-14 year old, I was learning to be a mechanic. I bought some Crescent wrenches. I was thinking how useful they would be, because they were adjustable to many sizes. And, with limitations, they are. But not very well. Dad sat me down and we talked about some “multi purpose” tools that “did no one thing well, and many things not very well”. He then explained about really good tools that did only one, or a few, things very well. “It’s a balance, son. You have to know what your task is, before you select your tools. Some general purpose tools can be helpful in some circumstances. Special tools may not be needed. And some - many - jobs can be done with only the best of specialized tools.”

It’s been over 70 years since Dad sat me down that day. I still have and still use tools that I bought after that advice.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[Yhoothoob]

I keep mine in the car for motorway breakdown situations. Along with foil blankets, torch, cyalumes, cash, window and seatbelt tool, first aid kit, water and a samsung smartthings tag.

[gerharold]

If you are tight for room inside your tent or especially if you are sharing a tent then you can wrap your rucksacks inside the group shelter & leave them outside the tent.

[blokeinabluehat]

Good point about using your gear. Get comfortable with it and where you are. I've seen a few people recently decked out in expensive outdoor clothing etc. but still looking terrified to be outdoors. They were on short safe walks.

People are also scared to get their gear dirty. Some are constantly thinking of resale value as well.

Unusual usages.
I carry a piece of cotton cloth about 2ft x 4ft. I use it as a sun shade like a mini tarp. I use it as cushion. I put it around my legs on days that are too hot for long trousers but too cold for sitting. I drape it around me on very sunny days. I soak it in water on very hot days.
I used it the other day to hold baby possums that had fallen from their nest. It kept them warm and safe until we made another nest.

Well done Finlay (?) It is great to see kids out and about.






Blatant advertising alert.

My channel has simple meals to cook outdoors.
(I only have 20 subscribers. So I am no competiton.)

[neiljohnston]

wrapped around some brush & packs etc - with some careful planning - the bothy bag is also an emergency raft or stretcher.
Well done Findlay, hope you enjoyed the experience & keep it up.

[nigeLegend]

I’ve used one as a canoe sail, and as sauna amongst many other ways. Great bit of kit.

[beatbasher]

I have used a bothy bag in my old tent which was a bit small for me, and my feet would touch the end of the tent and some nights the footbox would get a little damp. I'd just wrap part of the bothy bag around the footbox, no more damp sleeping bag. Well done to your lad for stepping up and being self-sufficient. That's awesome. And well done Dad too.

[victoriaclark]

This has inspired me to do this with my son. What a great modern right of passage. Well done Finley!

[synappticuser]

Crack on Finlay! Your old man has every right to be proud of you. Well done. Best Wishes from Jockland.

[breiffnihogan]

Well said there. Excellent practical uses for group shelter. Good to hear positive and definite speaking. Yes, different uses for one item, real outdoor attitude. :-)

[lmaoroflcopter]

Tip 1 is banging. Always use it. Use it for breaks in inclement weather, use it for when you stop for lunch and need a bit of a windbreak or similar.

Get so used to using it, when you're feeling cold and maybe need to take that break in a possible emergency, it becomes second nature to get it out just for a bit of comfort.

[JW-jcvi]

Thank you. Interesting. I remember in the late 1980s reading a book about using a large plastic bag (e.g. one used for a sofa) and making some holes in it for ventilation and using it in a similar way to a modern bothy bag. On one occasion in cold conditions, I used it making sure that I sat on my rucksack. This must have been the forerunner of the bothy bag. It made a big difference.

[LaHOlympia]

Great video! These are all great and useful ideas! 👊🏾

[christophercarr]

well done to your son for being more independent proud of you and can i just say i really enjoyed watching the video it was very interesting