In a survival situation, finding or creating shelter is one of your top priorities, right after securing water and before food. A shelter can protect you from the elements, help maintain body heat, and provide security from wild animals. Knowing how to construct a few types of primitive shelters using natural materials can be a life-saving skill. Here’s a guide to some fundamental shelters that you can build with minimal tools and materials.
1. Lean-To Shelter
1.1 Construction
Materials Needed: Long branches or fallen trees for the frame, smaller branches for the sides, leaves, and moss for insulation and waterproofing.
Steps to Build:
Find two trees close together or a large branch that you can lean against a tree.
Lean larger branches at an angle against the tree trunk or horizontal branch to create a spine.
Cover the angled branches with smaller branches, and then pile on leaves, moss, or grass to provide wind and water resistance.
1.2 Best Use
Advantages: Quick and easy to build, suitable for wind and light rain protection.
Disadvantages: Not fully enclosed, limited insulation.
2. A-Frame Shelter
2.1 Construction
Materials Needed: Several long branches, lots of smaller branches, leaves, moss, and other insulating materials.
Steps to Build:
Create a frame by forming an ‘A’ shape with two large branches and a crosspiece at the top.
Lean smaller branches along both sides of the A-frame.
Cover thoroughly with vegetation and insulating materials to shield against elements.
2.2 Best Use
Advantages: More enclosed than a lean-to, offers better protection from wind and rain.
Disadvantages: Requires more time and materials to build.
3. Debris Hut
3.1 Construction
Materials Needed: A long, sturdy branch for the spine, lots of dry leaves, debris, and smaller branches.
Steps to Build:
Secure one end of the spine branch high on a tree or rock and let the other end rest on the ground.
Cover the spine with rib branches placed at an angle, then pile leaves and forest debris over the structure until it’s well insulated.
3.2 Best Use
Advantages: Excellent insulation, good for cold weather.
Disadvantages: Time-consuming to gather sufficient debris for effective insulation.
4. Snow Cave
4.1 Construction
Materials Needed: Compact snow, a digging tool.
Steps to Build:
Find a drift of compact snow.
Dig into the side of the drift to create a small dome-shaped cave.
Smooth the inside walls and ceiling to ensure compactness and to prevent dripping.
4.2 Best Use
Advantages: Good insulation from cold, uses readily available material in snowy conditions.
Disadvantages: Requires specific snow conditions, risk of collapse if not built properly.
5. Wickiup Shelter
5.1 Construction
Materials Needed: Upright poles, vines or rope for binding, leaves, branches, and other debris for covering.
Steps to Build:
Arrange several long poles in a conical shape, using a tree or a tripod formation as the base.
Secure the poles at the top with vines, rope, or even strips of bark.
Layer the frame densely with branches, leaves, and debris, ensuring thorough coverage for insulation and rain protection.
5.2 Best Use
Advantages: Sturdy and relatively spacious, can accommodate a small fire inside for warmth.
Disadvantages: Requires more materials and time to build than some simpler shelters.
6. Tarp Shelter
6.1 Construction (assuming you have a tarp)
Materials Needed: A tarp, rope or paracord, and nearby trees or poles.
Steps to Build:
Secure the tarp between two trees using rope or paracord. If trees aren’t available, poles stuck firmly into the ground can work.
Stretch the tarp tight and anchor each corner with rocks, logs, or stakes.
Adjust the height and angle based on the wind direction and precipitation to provide the best protection from the elements.
6.2 Best Use
Advantages: Quick to set up, versatile, and effective in various weather conditions.
Disadvantages: Relies on having a man-made material (tarp) and may not be as insulated as natural debris shelters.
7. Subterranean Survival Shelter (Dugout)
7.1 Construction
Materials Needed: A shovel (or improvised digging tool), surrounding natural materials for camouflage.
Steps to Build:
Dig a pit in the ground deep enough to sit or lie down in, depending on your needs and time available.
Cover the opening with branches, leaves, and any other available materials.
Ensure the roof is sturdy enough to support the debris without collapsing.
7.2 Best Use
Advantages: Offers excellent insulation and protection from the elements, particularly in extreme heat or cold.
Disadvantages: Labor-intensive to construct and can be hazardous if not properly ventilated or if built in unstable soil.
8. Improvising with Available Materials
8.1 Using Natural Formations
Rocks and Caves: Utilize natural rock formations or caves as shelter foundations, reinforcing with additional debris as needed.
8.2 Adapting to the Environment
Utilize Surroundings: Adapt the type of shelter construction based on the materials that are most abundant in your current environment.
Conclusion
Survival shelters can significantly increase your chances of enduring adverse conditions in the wilderness. Each type of shelter has its specific advantages depending on the environment and available resources. Practice building different types of shelters before you actually need them, as this will boost your confidence and proficiency under real survival circumstances.
How long does it take to build a survival shelter?
The time can vary widely based on the type of shelter, your skill level, the materials on hand, and environmental conditions. A basic lean-to could take an hour, while a debris hut might take several hours.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a shelter location?
Look for a location that is dry, level, and protected from the wind. Avoid low spots that could collect water, and stay clear of hazardous areas like dead trees or unstable boulders.
Can these shelters be made without any tools?
Yes, all these shelters can be constructed with materials found in nature. However, having a knife or a multi-tool can make the process easier and the shelter more effective.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when building a survival shelter?
Poor Location Choice: Building in areas prone to flooding, landslides, or heavy wind. Always assess the environment carefully.
Insufficient Insulation: Failing to use enough insulation materials can lead to significant heat loss.
Overexertion: Don’t expend more energy building the shelter than you can afford to lose, especially if food and water are scarce.
How can I improve the water resistance of my shelter?
Layering Techniques: Use overlapping layers of branches, leaves, and other debris to create a shingle effect that repels water more effectively.
