The challenge of building a survival bunker is high or low, depending on its type, needs, and items you stock in. To build one, you must obtain permission from the respective departments or professionals. Then, choose a location, develop a blueprint, pick the right material, and stock up on provisions.
Most importantly, you need a power source to stay connected and survive comfortably for days. Jackery Solar Generators excel in reliability, efficiency, and high power capacity. These portable and efficient solar generators can be your reliable companion in dire situations.
Key Takeaways
- A survival bunker keeps people safe from emergencies like natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest, etc.
- A survival bunker must have food, water, ventilation, sanitation, communication system, etc.
- Survival bunkers are of many types: underground, above-ground, custom-built, and family.
- To build a survival bunker, you must assess risk levels, structural integrity, land laws, and other factors.
- Building a survival bunker starts with getting permission, selecting a location, developing a blueprint, and getting a power source.
Why a Survival Bunker is Essential?
A survival bunker is a fortified shelter that protects people from catastrophic events like natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest, etc. These are designed with strong walls and shielding to protect occupants from calamities.
These events often require people to strive for necessities like food, water, medical supplies, etc. A well-built bunker with essentials helps people survive for extended periods without external support. Overall, it creates a safe haven during a crisis, giving people peace of mind and reducing stress levels.
Must-Have Features in a Survival Bunker
The threats of tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural disasters are increasing, bringing more uncertainty into people’s lives. The need to build a bunker is now more than ever, and an ideal one must have the following features:
Food: Food is essential for surviving a natural disaster for an extended period. According to Ready.gov, stock the bunker with canned or non-perishable food, fruits, and vegetables. You can also include snacks like crackers, peanut butter, and similar long-lasting items.
Water: When it comes to surviving long in a survival bunker, water is more important than food. According to FEMA, a normal person must drink half a gallon of water daily. Stock up on a large cache of water and carry a filter to safely drink water from sources like wells, rainwater, etc.
Ventilation: Aside from ample water and food, you need oxygen to survive. So, installing ventilation would be a priority. Use a system that can withstand a storm or any other natural crisis.
Clothes: Staying comfortable is also a priority in a survival bunker. Keep extra clothes that help you endure cold and sleepless nights. The best options are jackets, thick socks, merino wool, and more.
Communication System: While living in a survival bunker, staying updated about the events around you is crucial. So, stock in radios, satellite phones, chargers, and others.
First Aid Kit: Even in a survival shelter, one might get hurt, and getting a doctor might not be impossible. Therefore, you must assemble a first aid kit with prescribed and non-prescribed medicines and bandages.
Power Source: You’ll need an emergency power source to run essential appliances such as communication devices, lighting, cooking appliances, etc. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable, portable, and can power the essentials for days.
Miscellaneous: Depending on your bunker type, you’ll probably need items with constant use. You can keep a multi-tool that saves space and is helpful to fix beds, lighting, or other appliances. Also, keep survival bunker games, speakers, and others to stay entertained.
Choosing the Best Types of Survival Bunker
Survival bunkers are more than just a roof over your head. They provide not only physical protection but also psychological comfort. It’s therefore crucial to select the best types of bunkers, which are as follows:
Below-ground Bunkers
As the name implies, these bunkers are constructed below ground. These are often made of durable materials like steel or reinforced concrete, ensuring safety against extreme conditions. It keeps you safe, whether a thunderstorm, tornado, hurricane, or others.
Underground survival bunkers, when properly sited, can withstand flood risks. They can also be installed in a few days, making them a practical option. However, civilians often don’t build these bunkers, as they usually require significant financial resources and specialized construction skills.
Above-Ground Bunkers
Above-ground bunkers, though above ground, can also withstand harsh weather conditions. People can build temporary or long-term survival shelters, depending on the duration of safety they need.
Lean-To Shelter: This is a classic in the world of survival bunkers. It is easy to build and can accommodate groups of various sizes. Its angled design protects against rain and snow and reflects heat from the campfire to keep you warm.
A-Frame Shelter: This is more rigid than a lean-to shelter and requires more time and natural resources. You can use a tarp with additional natural resources or branches and debris. Also, it can accommodate more people inside.
Teepee: This Native American-style shelter is a tested design to survive the harshest of winter conditions. Its conical shape allows air to shelter and keep you warm without a fire. You need basic materials, such as long branches, a tarp, rope, and other tools to build it.
Custom-Built Bunkers
Custom-built bunkers are designed to provide long-term comfort, protection, and sustainability. They take longer to build and offer multiple benefits, such as insulation, durability, and livability.
Concrete Buildings: These can be family survival bunkers for extreme emergencies. One can live in it for days, and the architecture might be sturdy enough to withstand severe weather or other threats. However, these are more expensive than others.
Debris Hut: Debris huts are made in forested areas with plentiful organic materials. These are easy to make, are sturdy, and keep you safe for a long time.
Snow Shelter: A structure made from snow keeps one safe from the cold and wind. This can also be made in many ways, including using snow blocks, digging into snow banks, or building a quinzhee.
Key Factors to Consider Before Building a Survival Bunker
Creating a survival bunker isn’t a weekend project and requires time, energy, and resources. Once completed, your bunker helps you survive and be comfortable at the same time. The following factors are to consider before building a survival bunker:
Location: The first step in building a survival bunker is to select an ideal location. You must ensure the terrain and soil quality are stable and not prone to flooding. The location must be near essential resources and offer privacy. Besides, research local laws and regulations to ensure the bunker project complies with all relevant land laws and zoning requirements.
Design: Once you’ve selected the perfect location, decide on the bunker type: underground, above-ground, customer-build, or others. Determine the bunker size based on your needs and the number of entry and exit points. Besides, select durable materials to strengthen it and maintain proper ventilation and lighting.
Materials: The materials for your bunker project depend on your needs and budget. It could cost a fortune if you want it to be durable and use tempered steel. At the same time, bricks are cheap, sturdy, and great insulators.
Excavation and Construction: This is the most challenging part of the bunker project. If you plan to build a long-term bunker, call on experienced engineers and contractors to ensure a safe and efficient process.
Safety Measures: To ensure the safety and security of your bunker, you must set up surveillance cameras, biometrics, emergency exits, and fire detection and suppression systems.
How to Build a Survival Bunker
Although you can purchase premade bunkers, they’re expensive and might not fit your needs. So, if you want to protect yourself during emergencies, here’s how to build a survival bunker:
Step 1: Get Permission
Building anything requires a permit, and the same applies to your survival bunker. To get one, visit your local building official or department, and show the design plans and a map. However, not getting one can be dangerous and expensive. Permits vary with your location. For example, if you live in San Diego, you’ll need a grading, building, plumbing, discretionary, and electrical permit.
Step 2: Choose Location
As mentioned earlier, you cannot just go anywhere and start digging. Avoid areas around a water body, surrounded by trees and vegetation, or near utility lines. Inspect the location properly, or call an expert to do it for you.
Step 3: Develop a Blueprint
A survival bunker is meant to accommodate you for days during emergencies, so building a blueprint is crucial. Start by deciding what to stock and the space needed, and measure the area accordingly. From there, you’ll understand how to build a blueprint. Think of it as a small house and how you can maximize space while maintaining efficiency and comfort.
Step 4: Pick the Right Building Material and Tools
When building a survival bunker, you need to excavate and will need equipment that can dig quickly and through tight spaces. Tools like an excavator or a trencher are ideal for this job.
An excavator is a versatile machine that can do anything, from digging a trench to mining operations. At the same time, trenchers can create drainage, cut pavements, and dig for cutting roots and utility lines.
Step 5: Get a Power Source
You must power your bunkers with batteries, solar panels, and generators. Keep up to eight 6-volt batteries in your bunker at all times, and invest in an efficient solar generator. Among the available options, Jackery Solar Generators stands out in terms of reliability, safety, and efficiency. Its battery capacity is high enough to power most emergency appliances for hours.
Step 6: Stock up on Provisions
Regardless of the emergency, you might spend a few days in a bunker. FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend at least two weeks of food and water per person. In addition, stock up on tools, a first-aid kit, and other essentials.
Cost of Building a Survival Bunker
Building a survival bunker costs between $6,000 - $32,500, depending on the materials you use, equipment, and other items. So, here’s the list of essentials and cost distribution:
|
Essential Items |
Cost |
|
Bunker door, backup exit |
$1,000 - $3,000 |
|
Power and Energy (Generators, Solar Panels, battery storage, etc.) |
$2,000 - $10,000 |
|
Food Storage |
$200 - $2,000 |
|
Water Supply |
$300 - $2,000 |
|
Medical Supplies |
$500 - $3,000 |
|
Sanitation |
$1,000 - $2,500 |
|
Communication |
$500 - $2,000 |
|
Tools |
$500 -$5,000 |
|
Clothing & Bedding |
$200 - $2,000 |
|
Entertainment |
$100 - $1,000 |
|
Total |
$6,300 - $32,500 |
Here’s a list and cost distribution of non-essential items that people might carry or use to build non-essential items:
|
Non-Essential Items |
Cost |
|
Large, Heavy Appliances (Refrigerators, Ovens, or Washing machines) |
$5,000 - $10,000 |
|
Gaming Consoles or computers |
$1,000 - $5,000 |
|
Excessive amounts of books or magazines |
$500 - $2,000 |
|
Specialty Tools |
$1,500 - $5,000 |
|
Expensive Collectibles |
$3,000 - $10,000 |
|
Total |
$11,000 - $32,000 |
Note: These are estimated values and actual costs might vary with brands, amounts, and needs. The bunker costs are even lower if you build temporary ones.
What Size Generator Do I Need For My Survival Bunker
The generator size you need for your survival bunker ultimately depends on the appliances you’ll need to power. Every appliance has a different starting and running wattage, which means the power requirement for each varies.
Step 1: List the appliances you’ll carry to the bunker and note their running and starting wattage. You can refer to the appliance wattage chart online or look for information in the product user guide. If the wattage value isn’t available, use the formula Watts = Amps × Volts.
Step 2: Now, calculate the total wattage using the formula: Total surge wattage needed = Running wattage of appliances + Single highest surge watts out of the items you want to use.
Jackery Solar Generators For Survival Bunker
Living in a survival bunker means you will live without electricity for days. That’s where portable solar generators come in handy. These can provide enough power to help you stay connected and survive without compromising your comfort. Jackery is one of the leading solar energy brands that offers foldable solar panels, solar generators, and portable power stations.
The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and Jackery Portable Power Stations combine to form Jackery Solar Generators, which supply power to your essentials. It features multiple ports to power multiple appliances simultaneously.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
If you plan to have heavy-duty appliances such as refrigerators, heaters, or pumps in the survival bunker, consider the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus. Its battery is powerful enough to run most of your required appliances for hours. Despite its higher capacity, its pull rods and double wheels make it portable and easy to carry.
Appliance Running Hours:
- Induction Cooktop (1100W): 3.7H
- Heater (1800W): 2.2H
- Coffee Machine (1300W): 3.1H
- Portable AC (1500W): 2.7H
- Microwave (1700W): 2.4H
Customer Review:
“I bought this as a backup power option for power outages. This is an absolute beast of a home battery supply.”- Kendra
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable battery backup solution for most emergency appliances. It can power most appliances, whether refrigerators, CPAP machines, small heaters, or kitchen equipment. Its ergonomic and portable design lets you move it anywhere in your car. Besides, you can add a Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus to expand its capacity and power more appliances.
Appliance Running Hours:
- Induction Cooktop (1100W): 1.5H
- Refrigerator (900W): 1.8H
- Coffee Maker (800W): 2.0H
- Dishwasher (1200W): 1.4H
- Electric Kettle (1000W): 1.6H
Customer Review:
“Our new Jackery Explorer 2000, extra batteries, and Solar Saga 200 panels work as expected and perform well. The system is able to power a heat lamp for our chickens overnight reliably.” - Savvy Organics Farm & Modern Homestead.
FAQs for Survival Bunker
How deep should I build my bunker?
If you’re building a basic survival bunker, aim for a depth of at least 10 feet underground. However, if you’re looking for optimal protection against a nuclear blast or similar event, consider digging 30 to 50 feet deep.
Can you survive in an underground bunker?
Most underground bunkers have basic survival features like food and water storage, air filtration, waste management facilities, and power generators. These systems enable occupants to survive for long periods.
What are the disadvantages of a bunker?
One of the primary issues associated with bunkers is the lack of natural light. Other issues related to bunkers include higher upfront costs, limited access to natural light, and social isolation.
How to keep water out of a bunker?
Underground bunkers are often susceptible to flooding, so it’s crucial to design an efficient drainage system with pipes that direct water away from the bunker.
Conclusion
You might think you can survive at your home when a natural disaster hits your neighborhood. But it isn’t easy, and building a survival bunker is essential. Ensure to prepare a proper blueprint and plan to build one. Also, take a portable Jackery Solar Generator for a constant power supply without noise or disruptions. Despite their high capacity, you can move them anywhere in your car.
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