Heavy Duty Emergency Survival Tarp – Waterproof Shelter

A survival tarp is one of the most versatile and essential pieces of emergency gear available — and one of the most underrated by people who have never had to sleep in the rain. Unlike a tent a tarp sets up in seconds, weighs a fraction of the load, packs down to the size of a water bottle, and can be configured dozens of different ways depending on the terrain weather and situation. Lean to configurations shed rain and wind from one direction. A-frame configurations protect from all sides. Ground sheet configurations insulate against cold wet earth. The same piece of gear handles all three. Look for a tarp made from rip stop polyethylene or nylon with a waterproof rating of at least 2000mm. Reinforced grommets at the corners and midpoints are essential — flimsy grommets tear out under wind load and leave you without shelter when you need it most. A size of at least 8 by 10 feet gives one or two people adequate coverage in most configurations. The best survival tarps include reflective coating on one side for signaling and heat retention, UV resistance for extended sun exposure, and a weight under two pounds so there is no excuse not to have one in every kit you own.