To build a nuclear fallout shelter using just a shovel, you can create a simple pole-covered trench shelter. This type of shelter is waterproof and radiation-resistant when constructed properly. Here are the steps to build it:
1. Choose a location: Find a flat, stable ground at least 50 feet away from other structures and utility lines. Ensure the soil is suitable for digging and can support the shelter’s structure[3].
2. Outline the shelter: Plant wooden stakes in the ground to mark the shelter’s perimeter[3].
3. Dig the trench: Use the shovel to dig a trench with the desired dimensions. The length and width should be sufficient to accommodate the number of people who will be using the shelter[1].
4. Create the roof: Cut logs or wooden poles to the appropriate length (at least seven feet in length and four to six inches in diameter) [1]. Place them across the trench, with their ends extending at least two feet past the edges[8].
5. Cover the roof: Use waterproof material like plastic sheeting, canvas, or tarps to cover the roof structure. Secure the material to the poles and the ground to create a waterproof and radiation-resistant barrier[1].
6. Dig a ventilation trench: At the other end of the trench, dig a five-foot-long ventilation trench to help circulate air. This trench should be just under the ground’s surface with an opening to the surface at the end of it[1].
Two people could build this shelter in a backyard or wooded area in two days or less, but one person in good shape could complete the project in a day by renting the necessary tools[1]. Keep in mind that this is a basic fallout shelter, and more advanced designs may require additional materials and tools.
Citations:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-diy-underground-bunker-fallout-shelter-2023-5
[2] https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Shovel_(Fallout_Shelter)
[3] https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Fallout-Shelter
[4] https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/enough-shovels-go-to-around-ars-looks-back-at-the-lies-of-the-cold-war/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQ2wIUgenI
[6] https://www.amazon.com/Enough-Shovels-Reagan-Bush-Nuclear/dp/0394414829
[7] https://www.rjpotteigerinc.com/blog/tips-for-building-a-bomb-shelter/
[8] https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/fallout-shelter3.htm
[9] https://americansurvivor.org/2023/08/shovel/
