In a worse case scenario like a pole shift, CME, meteor shower, etc, the safest place to be will be underground, the deeper – the better.  One will need at a minimum at least three feet or more of reinforced earth & stone or concrete & steel overhead.  However, this may not be possible depending on your particular situation.

When building your own shelter or reinforcing an existing one like a basement or cellar, you will want to use the best quality material possible like pressure treated wood and corrugated tin.  When using plywood, the thicker, the better.  You will want use ¾” plywood and secured with only screws.  You never want to use nails, because high winds can easily pull them apart.  You will also want to insulate your shelter against extreme cold and heat and radiation, thus having three feet minimum of material overhead.  Just always remember to be sure to have at least two ways minimum to get out of any underground shelter.

A Note on Above Ground Shelters – When built and installed properly, “Safe Rooms” have survive very powerful tornadoes.  This is something to consider, especially if you live in an area where any type of underground shelter is not feasible.

Basements and Cellars – Can easily be reinforced and insulated for very little money.

Underground Shelters – Basically come in two types, man-made and prefabricated.

Manmade – For a minimal cost, there are numerous types and styles you can build yourself.  Plans can easily be downloaded off the web.

Shipping containers when buried and insulated can make excellent underground shelters.

Prefabricated – If you have the money, there are several types of shelters that are ready to bury in the ground.

Caves & Mines – Are very iffy and are prone to cave-ins, especially during earthquakes.  These would fall into the category “Enter at your own risk” for a survival shelter.

Whatever type of underground shelter you have, you want to make sure you have enough space for your immediate supplies and for each person that will be living in the shelter to have their own space.  This is crucial if you will be living in this shelter for an extended period.

I really hope everyone has enjoyed this forth series of articles and that they have been informative and helpful in preparing for a very uncertain future.  My fifth series will be answering all the questions folks have posted on the blogs and answering any questions the readers may have on preparedness and/or survival.

Recommended reading:

Dare to Prepare by Holly Deyo is one of the top three preparedness books on the market.

One Second After by William R. Forstchen is an excellent novel on what will happen after an EMP attack.

Patriots – A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse by James Wesley, Rawles is another excellent novel of what will happen after an economic collapse.

How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It by James Wesley, Rawles is another excellent reference book on preparedness.

Recommended viewing:

After Armageddon is a History Channel 90 minute documentary about a worse case scenario disaster situation that can be watched on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r97xoSOEjM