Building a shelter is a crucial skill for any survivalist. But when it comes to staying alive in the wild, sometimes even the best-laid plans can go wrong.
That’s why it’s important to know what mistakes to avoid and how to handle common problems that arise.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common mistakes people make when building a shelter and how to avoid them.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Avoid common shelter-building mistakes in the wilderness |
| Choose the right materials and shelter designs for extreme weather conditions |
| Equip yourself with essential skills for building a shelter in the wild |
| Learn how to navigate the wilderness and choose the right location |
| Stay safe and comfortable in the outdoors with proper shelter planning and construction |
1. Making A Shelter On Low Ground
Low ground is the first place to avoid when you’re building a shelter. When you’re in the wild and it starts raining, you want to be able to stay dry.
When there’s a flood, low ground will be the first place to get flooded, so if you build your camp on this kind of land, your shelter could get destroyed by water.
If there’s a river nearby, or even just puddles in a field for instance, then this is also not good for building a shelter because if there’s no high ground around then it will be difficult for water to drain away from where you’re staying and could lead to flooding.
Avoid building your camp near lakes or swamps as well; these areas are often inhabited by animals that could harm people who are sleeping nearby (or even more disturbingly – insects).
How to build a shelter in the wilderness is crucial for survival in outdoor activities. Our step-by-step guide provides insightful tips to help you navigate shelter building challenges in the wild.
2. Starting A Fire Inside Your Shelter
Building a fire inside your shelter may seem like an easy way to keep warm, but it can actually cause serious injuries and even death. The carbon monoxide emitted by combustible materials such as wood and paper will absorb into the air you breathe.
If you’re going to light up while holed up in your burrow, be sure there’s adequate ventilation so that smoke doesn’t build up in the space and poison everyone inside. And even if you have proper ventilation, it’s still important to avoid burning any sort of flammable materials within reach and for good reason!
Carbon monoxide poisoning aside (which is more likely than not), starting a fire indoors puts anyone who’s sleeping at risk of being burned by sparks or embers flying out from their bedding or clothing as they sleep next to this potentially deadly blaze.
Make sure that all material around where the flames are burning is safe before lighting them and never use oily rags or other types of cloths that might accidentally ignite due to proximity with an open flame.
Best Fire Starting Tools for Your Shelter
| Fire Starting Tools | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter | BIC | A popular and reliable tool to create a flame without matches or a fire starter. |
| Ferrocerium Rod | Gerber | A weather-resistant fire starter that produces hot sparks when struck with metal to create fire. |
| Fire Starter Cube | Coghlan’s | A compact and waterproof cube that can start a fire in any weather condition. |
| Magnesium Fire Starter | Bayite | A lightweight, durable, and easy to use fire starter that can create sparks in any weather. |
| Waterproof Matches with Case | UCO | A pack of waterproof matches with a waterproof case that helps keep them dry. |
3. Putting Your Shelter Under A Tree
If you’re trying to protect your shelter from rain and wind, there’s a good chance that the shelter will instead be protecting the tree.
A tree is not a reliable structure in which to build a house. It may look sturdy and strong, but it can shift and twist in unexpected ways during high winds or heavy rains.
The weight of your tarp could cause damage to the branches or trunk over time if you don’t secure it properly.
If there are any fallen leaves on the ground around where your tarp is sitting, it will act as an insulator for moisture so that condensation builds up inside your shelter instead of evaporating through those same leaves which will then lead directly into mold growth!
This might seem like an obvious mistake at first glance because most people know that building shelters under trees is bad for their health (and also their sanity).
But when we’re tired and hungry after weeks on end without food or water, sometimes we make decisions based on our emotions rather than common sense.
When building a shelter, the choice of materials is critical to ensure durability and comfort. Our list of top 15 materials will provide you with a guide on the best materials to use depending on your needs.
4. Using The Wrong Materials
As a general rule, it’s best to use natural materials when you’re building your shelter. This is because they tend to be more durable and hold up better against the elements.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should completely ignore manmade materials if they’re available and necessary for your survival situation.
For example: if you find yourself in an area where there are no trees or bushes available for building materials, then it might be worth considering using metal poles instead (assuming there aren’t any other options).
- Use The Right Materials For The Right Job
When choosing which type of material(s) to use when building your shelter, think about what each one offers versus how much work will go into creating it/them (i.e., will it take longer than another option?).
Also keep in mind whether or not these materials will withstand certain elements such as rain or snow better than others would at their respective temperatures (both high and low temperatures).
Best Materials for Building a Shelter
| Shelter Material | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tarp | Aqua Quest | A long-lasting and durable tarp that can be used to create a quick shelter. |
| Paracord | Titan Survival | A versatile and strong cord that is useful in creating different types of shelters. |
| Mylar Blanket | Swiss Safe | A light-weight and waterproof emergency blanket made of heat-reflective material that helps to retain warmth inside the shelter. |
| Poncho | Snugpak | A waterproof poncho that can also be used to create a makeshift shelter. |
| Bivy Sack | Outdoor Research | A lightweight and compact waterproof sack that can be used for emergency shelter or as a sleeping bag cover. |
5. Having The Entrance Exposed To The Elements
The entrance should be covered, or at least protected. You don’t want the wind and rain whipping into your shelter especially if you have to make a fire in there!
A tarp or other material works well as a makeshift door, and if it’s raining hard, you can even make an emergency poncho out of plastic sheeting.
Another option is to have an opening in your roof big enough for your head but small enough so that a gust of wind won’t blow through without causing problems with the rest of your ceiling structure.
If there’s room for only one person at a time, this may work well for you—you’ll be able to enter when it’s safe and exit quickly if something goes wrong inside.
Building the right shelter design for extreme weather is a lifesaver when trapped in the Great outdoors. Our article on the best shelter designs for extreme weather offers a plethora of ideas on designing your shelter for extreme weather conditions.
6. Falling Asleep In A Survival Situation
The most common reason people die in a survival situation is because they fall asleep and don’t wake up.
This can be avoided by not falling asleep in the dark, not falling asleep in a shelter that isn’t secure, and not falling asleep if you do not have enough food or water. If you are injured, it’s important to stay awake so that your body can heal itself.
Sleep Aids for Surviving a Wilderness Situation
| Sleep Aid | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping pad | Thermarest | An inflatable camping pad that provides insulation and keeps you off the ground when sleeping. |
| Sleeping bag | TETON Sports | A warm and comfortable sleeping bag that can withstand extreme temperatures. |
| Hammock | ENO | A portable and lightweight hammock that allows you to sleep above ground level while providing a comfortable sleep. |
| Ear Plugs | Mack’s | Earplugs made of comfortable foam material useful in blocking out distracting and loud sounds for better sleep |
| Eye Mask | Alaska Bear | A soft and comfortable eye mask that blocks out light and promotes deeper sleep |
7. No Escape Plan In Case Of Attack
Your shelter is only as good as its escape plan. If you find yourself under attack, then your first and most important goal should be to get out of there safely.
You should have a backup escape route in case the one closest to the entrance is compromised by zombies or other threats, like a bear that has somehow gotten into your shelter through an open window (though this is highly unlikely).
When building or designing your shelter, make sure that each room has at least two entrances so that you can easily leave if necessary without having to backtrack through rooms filled with hostile zombies trying their best not to get stepped on by oversized footwear.
To build a shelter in the wild, it is essential to know survival skills. Our shelter building 101 essential skills for survival guide provides tips and tricks for building a perfect shelter like a pro.
8. Failing To Use What You Already Have Available On Hand
Make sure you have the right tools to do the job. If you are going to build a shelter, make sure that you have all of the necessary materials on hand and learn how to use them. If not, then find out where they can be purchased nearby and make arrangements for getting them.
If possible, start building your shelter using what’s already available in nature such as bamboo or wood from trees.
While this may seem like an obvious suggestion, many people overlook this step when starting out because they don’t think about it until later down the road after realizing how much time has passed since their last meal (which was most likely just yesterday).
Remember that even though there are some things we could say are “common sense,” it doesn’t mean they’re always easy to execute without first knowing what needs doing beforehand!
9. No Bedding Or Insulation From The Ground
Bedding and insulation are important for your comfort, as well as for keeping you warm. While you may be able to get away with not having any when you’re sleeping in a tent, most shelters do require some sort of padding between your body and the ground.
If done right, this can make all the difference between waking up exhausted (or worse), or feeling refreshed enough to tackle another day on the trail.
If using natural materials like leaves/grass/etc., they must be dry before using them as bedding material!
For comprehensive guidelines on how to build the ultimate shelter in the wilderness, check out our ultimate guide to building a shelter in the wilderness to learn how to construct an ideal shelter that offers both comfort and safety.
10. Not Taking Advantage Of Natural Features Around You To Improve Your Shelter
By incorporating a few natural materials into your shelter, you can make it more comfortable and secure. Natural materials like leaves, grass and branches are great insulators that can help keep you warm at night.
You might even find some dry wood which will come in handy when starting a fire later on. If there are any trees nearby, they’ll be useful as well: their trunks can serve as supports for your roof or walls; their branches could be used as braces between the tree’s trunk and another object; or they could simply provide shade from the sun when it’s hot outside!
Don’t forget about rocks too they’re an excellent source of protection against predators (they tend not to like crawling over sharp edges), so make sure there are some within reach whenever possible!
11. Not Securing Your Shelter For Wind And Rain Protection
When building a shelter, it’s important to consider how wind and rain will affect your plan. Ideally, you want your shelter to be big enough that you can sit up in it without having to crouch or hunch over.
It should also be large enough so that you can easily lie down in the shelter without having to bend over or curl up into a ball. Finally, make sure your shelter is wide enough so that you can stand up in it this allows for extra space when cooking and moving around inside the structure.
12. Building A Small Shelter That Is Only Large Enough For You To Lay Down In
Your shelter doesn’t have to be big enough for you to stand up in, or even sit up in. If it’s large enough for you to lay down in with your arms outstretched and legs straight (like a mummy), that’s all that matters. This is especially important if there are other people with you who will be sharing the shelter.
You can make the shelter bigger by adding more layers of materials. For example, if your sleeping bag will be under the tarp, consider making an insulated floor with extra padding between it and the ground (like a foam pad).
13. Building A Shelter That Is Too Large For Just One Person And Losing Body Heat Through Convection Circulation
When building a shelter, it is important to consider how the structure will affect convection circulation.
The principle is simple: if you build your shelter with large gaps or holes in the walls and ceiling, then warm air inside the shelter will rise and cold air outside will sink into those spaces, which leads to heat loss. This can be minimized by sealing up any gaps in your structure as much as possible.
The best way to avoid losing body heat through convection circulation is by building yourself a sleeping bag and staying close to it at night (you may want a backup blanket).
If you do not have access to these materials for some reason, then you should make sure that your shelter does not have large gaps or holes where warm air can enter but cannot escape this would be especially true if there’s snow on the ground outside!
There are many ways of dealing with this issue depending on what materials are available; here are some examples:
If there’s snow on the ground outside already (or if it’s going to fall soon), then simply roll up some leaves into balls and place them around any open areas such as doorways; this method works well because plants contain water molecules which prevent heat from escaping so quickly through conduction instead requiring more energy input before anything happens.
You could also use cotton clothing as insulation material instead of leaves/grass/etcetera! Just cut up pieces off an old shirt or pair pants until they’re all gone – remember: less clothing means more warmth!
14. Not Having An Alternate Shelter Design Ready In Case One Doesn’t Work Out
When it comes to building a shelter, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to the end result.
For example, you have to make sure that your design is waterproof and able to withstand rainstorms, that it’s big enough for everyone in your group (or as big as possible), and that it’s not too heavy for someone smaller than average height to carry by themselves. The list goes on.
It’s easy for things not go according plan when building a shelter this doesn’t mean you should give up on your idea altogether! If one aspect isn’t working out, consider what changes could be made so that it does work out.
When designing something new like this, sometimes you need time before finding the right solution or working around obstacles rather than giving up right away–that’s just part of being creative!
Conclusion
Remember, the most important thing is to be safe. If you follow these tips and use your own creativity, you’ll have a better chance at surviving the next time nature throws a curveball at you.
Getting lost in the woods should not be something we fear, but rather embrace as an adventure experience that teaches us about ourselves and others around us.
Further Reading
Common Mistakes Made When Designing and Building a Shelter: An in-depth article that covers common mistakes made while designing and building a shelter, along with tips on how to avoid them.
Five Shelter Building Mistakes to Avoid in a Survival Situation: This informative article provides advice on how to avoid shelter-building mistakes in survival situations and also expounds on five common mistakes that people tend to make.
Top 10 Mistakes in the Backcountry: This article delves into the common mistakes people make in the backcountry. Shelter building is included, but it is also useful for other outdoor activities.
FAQs
What are some essential materials for building a shelter?
The most essential materials for building a shelter include poles, tarp, a survival blanket, cordage, and nearby debris such as sticks and leaves.
What are the best shelter designs for extreme weather?
The ideal shelter design for extreme weather would provide protection from elements such as wind, snow, and rain. Examples of great shelter designs include dome-shaped shelters made out of snow, or lean-to shelters made out of materials such as tarps.
How can I tell if I have chosen a suitable location to build a shelter?
A suitable location to build a shelter should be away from natural disasters such as landslides and floods. It should also be in a location that is accessible to water and other survival essentials.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when building a shelter in the wilderness?
The most common mistakes people make when building a shelter in the wilderness include lack of ventilation, poor insulation, poor choice of location, and insufficient protection against natural disasters like flooding.
What is the difference between hypothermia and hyperthermia?
Hypothermia occurs when an individual’s body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while hyperthermia happens when the body temperature rises above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Both can be life-threatening.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.