User Guide

This document is intended to provide guidance for members who have a certificate of occupancy in a specific emergency shelter provided by the ARK Project. While this user guide contains directions that must be followed by everyone who resides in a specific emergency shelter... it should not be considered an exhaustive list of instructions. Residents of each shelter must collaborate in developing a supplemental guide to expectations for conduct in their shelter. Residents of each shelter are also encouraged to conduct a yearly trial run in which they simulate entering and remaining in the shelter for at least 24 hours. During these simulations, they should test all functional elements of the shelter (water, power, waste disposal, etc…). Additionally, they should rehearse scenarios to test rules, expectations, conflict resolution procedures, and the like. Residents of each shelter should also hold periodic Zoom meetings where they discuss issues such as additions or modifications to their user guide.

Shelters inhabited by like-minded individuals (family and friends) may be customized to meet specific needs such as worship, meditation, exercise, and additional storage. Shelters inhabited by strangers will conform to a standard design that may be customized at the discretion and upon the consensus of all residents.

The need for privacy is critical! Do NOT share the location of your ark with anyone. Also, unless someone has secured a bed in the shelter, they will NOT be allowed in or near the ark under any circumstances.

Each emergency shelter is accessed through a locked utility shed. When someone enters the shed, the door locks upon closing. Inside the shed is a military grade bulletproof nuclear blast hatch and stairs leading down to the decontamination room with a biological, and chemical tight door leading into the emergency shelter. Each resident must use the decontamination room before entering the ark.

Each shelter is equipped with an emergency escape hatch to be used if and when needed.

Each shelter will include a 90 day supply of food and water for each resident. Additional food and water supplies may be purchased upon request and approval.

I. Shelter purpose

The ARK Project is providing short-term (90 days) survival accommodations and supplies in the event of a cataclysmic emergency. Each ark community is asked to decide if they want to make provisions available for an extended stay. If so, they can create their own guidelines for making that happen.

II. Need for shelter

We live in a time in which man has created many ways beyond natural disasters and natural diseases to destroy life on earth. Catastrophes created by weapons — biological, chemical, nuclear, and conventional — necessitate that we are prepared to survive cataclysmic conflicts and their aftermath.

The ARK Project emergency shelter provides enclosed underground accommodations and supplies for each individual who has secured a place in the shelter. The shelters are kept private and secure, and only those who have a certificate of occupancy will be allowed access and entry into the shelter.

III. Shelter inhabitants

The emergency shelters may vary in size and capacity. The certificate that secures an individual's bed identifies the specific shelter and bed they have secured. In their Zoom meetings, residents can request a different bed (by trading with another resident) and can have their certificate modified accordingly. All adults in the shelter are responsible for reading the certificate along with this user guide and agreeing to the terms laid out in each document.

Those wanting to be paired with like-minded individuals are responsible for identifying and selecting their communities. Otherwise, they consent to be randomly paired with individuals in their shelter.

Each shelter community is expected to expand its guidelines. Any rules beyond those established in this user guide must be agreed to by all parties in the shelter. As ark communities expand their user guides, the ARK Project may also modify the standard user guide.

IV. Shelter layout

The standard shelter consists of three attached 12’ x 50’ Big Boy modular square units manufactured by Atlas Survival Shelters. A fourth adjacent unit (8’ x 12’) provides entry into the shelter and includes a decontamination room and additional storage. Each shelter is accessed through an external entry point secured by an AR-500 bulletproof steel, military-grade, nuclear blast hatch, gas-tight door. Down a flight of stairs from the external door is an entrance door leading into the decontamination room a/k/a mud room. From there one can enter the living area of the shelter by passing through a marine-grade, gas-tight door.

Each shelter is custom built and finished, but all include a kitchen and dining room, living room, two bunk rooms, and four bathrooms — each room furnished for use. Some shelters also include an exercise/meditation room. Each shelter also includes a second exit — an emergency escape hatch.

V. Parking

Most of the arks will be buried in fields where there is no parking available. Each ark community will specify in its user guide where participants in that ark should park their vehicles. Residents need to be prepared to walk a mile or two, if needed.

VI. Entry procedures

Residents enter the shelter using a code to open the door to the shed using an EMP-resistant electronic lock. A second code is used to open the hatch leading to the stairs that descend to the air-tight door that opens into the shelter. If exposed to radiation from a nuclear blast or chemical warfare the residents must use the decontamination shower before entering. After completing the decontamination process, individuals enter the main room of the shelter through a gas-tight door.

VII. Air

Each shelter is equipped with an NBC air filtration system which can be hand cranked, if needed.

VIII. Water

Each shelter is supplied with water through the local public water utility. Shelters are equipped to purify water for drinking and cooking. Filtered water is available for bathing and flushing. The shelters also contain multiple water storage tanks, each containing several hundred gallons of potable water. In the event of a disruption in water service, residents can access the stored water and will need to ration water based on occupancy and conditions.

IX. Power

Each shelter requires uninterrupted 24/7 power to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. The primary power source is an EMP-proof solar generator with a battery bank. The batteries supply 110 volt AC power with GFI outlets throughout the shelter. As a backup power source, shelters will also use a diesel generator with up to 1,000 gallons of fuel. In addition, a windmill will provide limited power. Each ark will also include an exercise bicycle which doubles as a power generator, a small hand crank generator for each bed, as well as a foot petal generator.

X. Waste

Each shelter has its own septic tank system.

XI. Rules and expectations

The following rules must be agreed to prior to entry into the shelter. By entering into the shelter, each individual indicates acceptance of these rules.

• Be prepared to be uncomfortable. This is about survival.

• Be a member of the emergency community. Be cooperative, helpful and kind to others.

• Clean up after yourself. Clean pans and utensils after your meal – don’t leave them unwashed in the sink.

• Do not leave personal items in the bathroom.

• Do not use other people's things without asking.

• Do not leave your personal things in the common area.

• Keep your valuables secured at all times.

• Be mindful of phone and radio use.

• Use headphones when listening to music or watching movies.

• Communicate if and when problems arise.

• Keep the shelter quiet from 10:00pm – 6:00am.

XII. Dealing with violations of rules

Issues are likely to occur, but with the right responses in place, shelter residents can limit the negative outcomes and learn how to avoid problems going forward. Each ark community can modify its user guide to include procedures for dealing with violations of rules. It is also recommended that the residents of each ark choose three people to act as co-captains or co-directors.

XIII. Incapacitation, illness, or death of shelter residents

Residents who enter the ARK do so with the understanding that they are assuming risks associated with living in an enclosed underground space with other people.

Residents are expected to act in good faith and not enter the ARK if they are sick. Residents are expected to act with regard to the welfare of themselves and others as they enter the ARK. They should not knowingly expose others to illness including, but not limited to, the COVID or flu viruses.

Only medications prescribed by a physician or that can be purchased over-the-counter are allowed in the ARK. Individuals entering the ARK are encouraged to bring a supply of all medications needed for the duration of their expected stay. Illicit drugs, including, but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, are not allowed in the ARK.

There is an emergency medical kit in each ARK that contains over-the-counter medications and supplies to treat many illnesses and injuries. In the event of the death of an ARK resident, other residents will follow to the best of their ability, procedures of the state where the ARK is located. Each emergency medical kit contains two bags that can be used as temporary storage for bodies, if needed.

XIV. Leaving the shelter

When it's safe to do so, residents may leave the shelter. Take your personal belongings and leave the ARK clean and locked. After you have had time to recuperate the residents should meet to decide when and how to clean and restock the ARK with supplies.