In extreme weather conditions, the use and maintenance of tents require special attention. The following are the specific points:
Key points of construction
Location:
Avoid setting up tents in low-lying areas to prevent rainwater accumulation. Choose to set up camp on high and flat grassland or gravel ground, and stay away from low-lying areas, rivers and muddy ground.
Choosing a sheltered place, such as beside a forest or a rock, can effectively slow down the wind speed. Terrain features such as slopes and trees can be utilized to prevent direct exposure to wind and rain.
Fixed
Floor nails: Floor nails should be driven into the ground at an Angle of 45 degrees, and it is necessary to ensure that they are fully driven in and tightly taut. Avoid having the ground nails and wind ropes too close to each other. Keep a distance of at least 1 meter to ensure there is sufficient space for collapse. Sturdy steel tent studs can be used. Specially designed windproof studs (such as spiral studs or Y-shaped studs) can provide stronger grip. If the ground of the camp is hard or stony, using a heavy hammer (such as an iron hammer or a hammer with a rubber head) is more effective than a rubber hammer.
Wind rope: The wind rope knot should be fully tied to prevent it from breaking and to keep the tent stable even in strong winds. Ensure that the wind rope is evenly stressed to maintain the overall balance and stability of the tent.
Tent corners: Before driving the ground nails, make sure every corner of the tent is taut to prevent it from swaying back and forth in the wind, which may affect the effect of the wind ropes and ground nails.
Materials:
Make sure the tent materials used have good water resistance. Choose tents with waterproof coatings and carry out necessary waterproof treatments before setting them up. A layer of waterproof fabric can be laid at the bottom of the tent to further prevent dampness and water penetration.
Before construction, reasonable planning should be made based on weather conditions to avoid construction in bad weather as much as possible. If a tent that has been set up encounters heavy snowfall, first check the condition of each component to ensure it is firm, and then reinforce it. When the weather is extremely bad, it is also advisable to consider removing the tarpaulin.
Key points for Use
Ventilation
In bad weather, although wind and rain protection are needed, ventilation is equally important. Make sure there are enough ventilation openings inside the tent to prevent the accumulation of moisture and carbon dioxide.
Fire prevention
Under no circumstances should gas stoves, gas lamps or other open flame devices be used inside the tent, even on calm weather. Doing so is very dangerous and can easily cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. If you need to keep warm, you can sit around the fire, but you must use a fire platform and take good fire protection measures on the ground. During the fire prevention period, it is strictly forbidden to light fires in the mountains and fields. When camping in commercial campsites, use a fire platform and take good fire prevention measures.
Interior layout:
Inside the tent, heavy items such as refrigerated boxes, storage boxes, and backpacks can be used to press down on the edges of the ground cover to further prevent it from being blown by the wind.
Place unstable items (such as kitchen equipment, tables, lamps, etc.) in the center area of the tent, away from the edges of the tent, to prevent them from being blown over by the wind or hitting the tent walls.
Key points of maintenance
Cleaning
The tent should be cleaned in time after each use. Use warm water and mild soap. Avoid using strong acid or strong alkaline cleaners to prevent damage to the tent materials. Gently brush off the dirt and sand on the surface with a soft-bristled brush, especially the dirt around the seams and zippers.
For cleaning the interior of the tent, a portable vacuum cleaner or manual cleaning can be used. If there are stains, you can use a damp cloth dipped in a small amount of neutral detergent to gently wipe them. After cleaning, make sure the inside is completely dry.
Drying
After cleaning, make sure the tent is completely dry before storing it. Damp tents are prone to mold growth, which affects the strength and water resistance of the materials. It can be dried in a cool and well-ventilated place. Do not expose it to direct sunlight to avoid material aging caused by ultraviolet rays.
Inspection and Repair
Regularly inspect all components of the tent, including the fabric, zippers, ropes and rivets, etc. Damaged or worn parts should be repaired in time to avoid accidents during use. In case of special stains such as oil stains and blood stains, you can use the corresponding cleaning agent to deal with them. When handling, be gentle to avoid damaging the tent materials.
After the bad weather is over, pay attention to checking the water accumulation, snow accumulation and damage on the top of the tent. The earlier you deal with them, the more you can prevent the problem from expanding.
Storage
The storage method of a tent is directly related to its service life. When storing, do not fold the tent too neatly or too tightly, as this can easily cause creases or damage to the materials. It is recommended to divide the tent into two parts: the tent fabric and the frame. Put each part in a dedicated storage bag to avoid mutual friction and damage.
When not in use, the tent should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place to avoid dampness and mold. At the same time, fold the tent neatly to avoid creases and damage caused by excessive compression or overfolding.
