Using Tarp in an emergency

For those who did not know, Tarpaulin (commonly called tarp) is used in emergency and disaster relief situations all over the world: 

Due to its strong and flexible nature, tarp is an excellent temporary shelter and has been used in disaster situations ranging from earthquakes, floods, fires as well as tornadoes and hurricanes/typhoons. Relief agencies and disaster management organisations  have helped save thousands of lives the world over by using tarp material in the construction of emergency relief shelters in very many varying places including South east Asia after the 2004 Tsunami, The earthquakes in Haiti and Pakistan recently as well as the most recent typhoon in the Philippines. Tarp is used in conjunction with shelter kits as it is UV resistant, storm resistant, water proof (or water resistant). The tarp material is also cheap to manufacture and buy despite its many uses.

Tarp is especially used in cold weather situations: The tarp material is not very permeable. Meaning that particles do not move easily through the material (hence it being UV/water resistant). This also means that the tarp material is a great insulator of heat. 

In cold weather climates or certain times of the year, being trapped in cold weather can be life-threatening due to hypothermia. 

If you are in such a situation whether it is a camping trip gone wrong or you stuck in your car on a snow swept road, Tarp can literally save your life.