Abstract: An improved sand shield is provided for use on the end of a string of tubing suspended in a casing in a borehole in an oil well to reduce the entrance of sand into a bottom hole pump, the sand shield being in the form of a length of tubular material surrounding a perforated mud anchor in which the bottom hole pump is situated, the produced fluid being forced to flow upwardly in the annular area between the mud anchor and sand shield to enter the pump, and including vents communicating with the upper portion of the annular area to provide for the escape of gas trapped within the sand shield.