1. Lay out tarpaulin on floor. Stick duct tape at each corner
Fold in half to find centres
Fold in half again to find quarters
Identify halves and quarters
Tarpaulin size:
10ft x 8ft
10ft x 10ft
6mil plastic
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Identify halves and quarters on opposite edges
Step 7
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
DUCT TAPE 4 CORNERS
Cut out a six inch piece of CLEAR duct tape and Hold tape by edges
Step 1: Position 3 inches of tape underneath tarpaulin
Step 2: Stick on the underside of tarpaulin and press down to ensure good seal
Step 3: Fold remaining tape over the top of tarpaulin and press down to ensure good seal
Steps 4 to 6: Repeat with second piece of tape to form an “L” shape.
DUCT TAPE INNER POINTS
Cut out a six inch piece of CLEAR duct tape and Hold tape by edges
Step 7: Fold tape into halves and stick on ½ and ¼ positions and press down to ensure good seal.

2. COUGLANS GROMMET TOOLSET
Grommet hole
PUNCH TOOL
Cutting edge has the tapered edge
PUNCH HOLE FOR GROMMET
Mark the centre of the duct tape area.
Place a piece of wood underneath the tarp where the duct tape is positioned
Using the COUGLANS GROMMET TOOLSET
Position the Grommet hole cutting tool on the centre of the duct tape.
Ensure that the cutting edge is placed on the tarpaulin
Using a mallet/hammer, hit the grommet cutting tool to cut through the tarpaulin and make a hole

3. Grommet base
Brass Grommet
Strike Compression tool with mallet.
STEP 1
Place brass grommet with the “hat” on the grommet base
Tarpaulin hole
STEP 2
Place the tarpaulin hole over the brass grommet
STEP 4
Place the compression tool over the brass grommets and into the Grommet base.
Using a mallet, hit the compression tool to flatten the brass grommet parts together.
NOTE:
DO NOT HIT THE COMPRESSION TOOL TOO HARD OR TOO MANY TIMES OTHERWISE THE BRASS GROMMETS WILL SPREAD AND JAM AGAINST THE COMPRESSION TOOL.
Flat brass grommet (curved side up)
STEP 3
Place the flat brass grommet on the top of the tarpaulin
(curve side up)

4. Rope at corners – tied with Siberian Hitch http://en. wikipedia
Additional duct tape areas to reinforce the tarp edges where the tarpaulin may chaff against rope

5. 10ft x 10ft sheet inches
3ft 9in (45 inches)
10ft x 10ft sheet inches
5ft 7in (67 inches)
6ft 2in (74 inches)
Tarpaulin is cut along dotted line
This provides an entrance

6. First three types of shelter using home made Tarpaulin
Wind direction
This design protects 4-5 people in a semi-enclosed A-frame, or it can become a wind/rain shelter for a larger group. The ideal size for a patrol is 10x8ft rectangular tarp or 10ft x 10ft square.
There should be at least 16 grommets and/or lightweight nylon webbing loops on the corners and sides, this design can be used with a variety of stands such as trekking poles, paddles, avalanche probes, or trees.
This design is very robust as the edges provide strength and protection against wind. Never setup this shelter facing wind.
This design provides wind/rain shelter, or covered gear storage. This minimalist tarp should be at least 8x10 ft size. This tarp may require extra tape at the folds to avoid chaffing by the rope at the tarp edges. A strip of tape down the centre will provide further strength but detract from rolling the tarp into a small package. For this design it is recommended that webbing is used at the four corners as wind will catch this tarp design and put it under pressure. Grommets should be placed at 2ft 2.5ft intervals along the edges.
This design is an extension of the first design and takes advantage of a car. The car can be substituted for trees, rock face etc… This layout is very robust and withstands strong wind.