Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction
Interest in survivalist bunkers has risen by 2,000% since the pandemic struck, according to The Sun.
Vivos, a bunker supplier, who refer to themselves as ‘the Largest Survival Community On Earth!’ say that at least 1,000 of their members are from the UK.
So just how is a survivalist bunker better than hiding away in your own home and how do you go about building one?
Understanding a survivalist bunker
A survivalist bunker is an underground shelter that caters to all of an individual’s needs during a catastrophic event, such as covid.
Vivos claim that their bunkers are habitable for around a year as they provide fresh water, purified air, and fresh food.
The idea is that once you move into the bunker, you don’t leave until the major event is over.
Bunkers therefore typically come with living areas, food prep areas, wash facilities, gymnasiums, surgical areas, bars, pools, and so much more.
Building a bunker
When it comes to building a survivalist bunker you have two options; the DIY route or a ready-made bunker.
A ready-made bunker gives you a good shell to work with and you can still use your building skills to enhance your shelter.
You could erect walls inside the bunker to create individual rooms or zones, build cupboards, install storage, or make a games room.
Fitting plumbing, electrics, and lighting are a must too. If you’d rather start completely from scratch, you’ll need a good plan to work from.
Concrete, bricks, and blocks will form the foundations of your bunker. Most importantly, your air filtration system needs to be carefully planned out and vents must be installed.
Surviving in a bunker
Anything can happen while you’re locked away in your bunker, so you need to ensure you’re prepared for life away from humanity.
For example, you’ll need to know how to administer basic first aid, in case you or one of your loved ones get injured or sick.
You’ll also need to hook up to a water supply, such as a water tank or connect to a nearby well. But you must ensure that the water is purified and safe to drink.
The simplest way to do this in your bunker is to boil the water to kill off harmful germs.
Don’t forget the importance of storing enough non-perishable food items away either.
Canned goods and dehydrated food items are ideal when you don’t know how long you’ll be locked away.
Alternative options
Not sure that a bunker is for you? One alternative is a bermed home which is also known as an earth home.
These are typically built half underground and half above ground. They are more energy-efficient than a standard bunker as the earth acts as an insulator, while the front of the house is built south facing for light and heat purposes.
A simpler and more DIY-friendly option is a bunker made from corrugated pipe which you can build a sleeping, living, washing, and dining area in.
It’s impossible to predict when the next global disaster will strike. But the one thing you can do to prepare is build a solid, reliable, and enjoyable bunker to hide away in.
