"NATURAL" SITTER-SHITTER DESIGN:

People at events, even events with primitive set-ups, more and more these days, like the convenience and comfort of a reasonably private, sit down shitter.

To accomplish this using as much natural material as is available, and making one that is entirely compostable, on the spot, sometimes is a challenge. This is a simple design of a shitter:

Supplies: You will need
(1) twine, yarn will work, strong string, thin rope...(nylon string etc. will work but takes many years to compost)... Hemp twine and bailing twine (not the plastic) are excellent for this...
(2) Several sizes of dead branches (green branches found on the ground are excellent) and/or unpainted wood or lumber... (2x4, 1x12, etc.)

Construction: First, using branches:

  1. find strong base poles, 4" diameter or better - handwidth or better- AND four feet long (4'x4")

  2. find other strong branches of varying diameter..all four feet (4 ft )

  3. measure shitter hole, if dug, or make sure that sitter for shitter will set safe on shitter hole...

  4. trim branches down as much as you like...you can leave one side of branches trimmed less so this trim can interweave in our design...this is slightly more complicated... simple is to trim branches... if you have no tools and are simply using your hands and feet... break branches and pull off major trim, but leave some trim on outside of Sitter-Shitter to interweave...in lieu of having any yarn or twine with you..

  5. take four 4" branches, and make a square....then using twine etc... tie the four corners togather...use two or three windings... you want this strongly held together.

  6. now take same sized or slightly smaller branches - determine how strong you want your Sitter to be - and make another square... ...then place this square on top of the first one and tie the two together... ...repeat this process with slightly smaller squares until appropriate sitting height is reached.. ..alternating the squares diagonally will make the design stronger.......

  7. REMEMBER as you tie on your squares together to look down and make sure you have a clear hole for waste-entry... also make sure one side has adequate leg room clearance so a person can walk up and sit down easily...

  8. once these squares are diagonally tied together and have formed the Sitter... you should have what looks like a small pyramid with a hole at the top.... trim, smooth branches, so when you Sit on the pyramid no small branches, etc, are in your way of comfort...

  9. next, make sure of where it sits on hole... make sure the Sitter is anchored or set firmly so it will not slide or move when used.... for a deep-wide hole, place a large log on one side of shitter hole, then place the Sitter so the large (4") base branches sit along side this, and can be tied into this larger log ...also use stakes to anchor the larger log and the Sitter... stake on both ends, both sides of hole, not too close to edge of hole... if base is 'hanging' out over large hole, use two large logs set in with stakes and rest Sitter base across these, tying in firmly, etc... make sure Sitter Base is solidly set, with no chance of busting in or loose... make so even a small child can approach, and get up and Sit comfortably...

  10. for Slit trench make moveable.... dig out a solid resting spot for Sitter, by making shallow (4") trenches that the base (4") branches will sit in... so base square is set even with side of hole so entire 4" base is on edge of hole on solid ground... then stake in for additional support or tie into large logs if available.... again, make sure Sitter Base is solidly set, with no chance of busting in or loose... make so even a small child can approach, and get up and Sit comfortably...

  11. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHOVEL HOLE WIDE DOWN YOUR SITTER... so someone can come along... and in a large-hole style Sitter, stick a shovel of stick down the hole and push the waste so one does not have to move the Sitter, as often...

  12. to make fly-tight, two ways work well...(a) wrapping plastic on the outside of the Sitter....a large plastic bag will do....use twine to wrap plastic around Sitter...and throw dirt or branches or leaves on top of plastic around base....one, of course can find branches, and use leaves and/or mud...to seal the Sitter...

  13. also...fly-proof the hole itself...plastic can be laid over top of hole...with branches laid on top and dirt at the edges of the hole ...to hold the plastic down... at the end of the event, if placed correctly...plastic, which doesn't touch the waste in the hole...it is laying on top of branches covering the hole...can be rolled up and carted away....same with the plastic around the Sitter itself, though, if this is soiled...it can be dropped into the Shitter...when you take the Sitter apart at end of event...

  14. If you have no plastic and want to use 'au naturel'... simply be sure and place many branches...if you find green branches laying on the ground, this is called downed limbs..you can lay them across your hole, to cover hole where the Sitter ain't...gathering leaves and duff, one can use these to seal Shitter further...plywood etc is optional if you are hauling in lumber... haul out or burn lumber.

  15. once you are sure the Sitter is properly, strongly tied together, and placed properly with support over hole, and at the right height, so it is accessible...Sit on Shitter, better yet, test it out....clear passage for waste into the hole, fly-tight...use bark, toilet cover, etc... or smooth off stop of pyramid sitter so you can sit confortably...tie a cover..made from bark from downed logs, and/or a branch will work...or with piece of plastic and twine, make square of sticks equal to size of hole...tie on...close down..make sure fly-tight..

  16. place toilet paper or good leaves in covered can or other plastic jug etc...near at hand...and set up HAND-WASHING ...couple drops of chlorox/bleach in gallon of water, tied to tree... make sure this water is not running into your shitter hole...dig out hole beneath wash station...place sand, rocks or gravel...or make sure this water runs into hole....

  17. This Sitter can be moved along the slit-trench style shitter and/or be stationary for the deep hole style shitter...
  18. Pisser - yes, it is good to have seperate area for folks to Pee, near Shitter areas - hole dug, rocks/sand/gravel in bottom, handwashing nearby.

  19. deluxe models.... Shelter - to keep off the rain is a good idea...AND a Boma (brush fence) for privacy and to keep dogs, etc, out of the Shitter area are necessary ...also, a smaller boma around the shitter hole on either side of the Sitter is good... for slit-style this boma should be moveable/adjustable...

  20. DO YOUR BUSINESS!!! Enjoy using your safe, healthy, comfortable, fly-tight, compostable Sitter~shitter.... a Pyramid-style Sitter-shitter for your next event...

TO RESTORE SITTER~SHITTER SITE:

  1. when shitter hole is full to within 10" to 12", it is time to close shitter....
  2. place cold wood ashes on waste (leaves can be used, and lime)... this should be being done daily...
  3. next, if done with Sitter... cut all the twine... take Sitter apart... throw on top of waste in hole...throw covering branches, rocks on top of waste in hole....until waste in hole has branches over top.... then throw our dirt (from digging the hole) on top of branches... and over the entire hole... next, throw branches etc.. on top of dirt where hole has been... also, take apart Boma fence, remove handwashing, disappear this area...

    The compost and shitter contents enrich the soil, enrich the area...break down rather quickly, especially with wood ash or lime in them.. and contribute to the many, many insects and small critters who live in the ground.. for foodstuffs etc..

    When you are done and walk away..look back.... can you see where your shitter has been... throw more branches... some leaves, some duff... give thanks for such a nice place for waste...

    -plunker, sue, etc

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