When you’re in a survival situation, your first priority is to stay warm. A shelter will help protect you from the elements and provide a safe place to rest.
You can build a survival shelter using materials found around your campsite or home. You can also use items purchased at outdoor stores or made from scraps of material around the house.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a survival shelter is essential for staying safe in the wilderness or emergency situations. |
| Understanding how to construct a sturdy and stable shelter can help keep you protected from the elements and other hazards. |
| Knowing the appropriate materials to use and the basic requirements of a survival shelter is crucial for survival situations. |
| Essential tools like a hatchet, saw, knife, and cordage can come in handy when building a survival shelter. |
| Having some knowledge of constructing different types of survival shelters based on the environment and available materials can improve your chances of survival. |
Lean-to
A lean-to is a simple shelter that can be built in a short amount of time. It is easy to build and can protect you from sun and rain.
You can also use this type of structure as a wind break or to dry off after being caught in the rain.
The lean-to should be constructed facing into the wind, if possible, so that it will provide some protection from cold and wet weather.
There are several ways to build a lean-to:
Two trees or poles (for example, telephone poles) with branches between them support an upside down V shaped roof made out of sticks or branches tied together with rope/twine (or vines).
A blanket/tarpaulin/canvas sheeting could also be used instead of sticks and twine, but this option would take more time since you would need more rope/twine than just what came with your camping gear!
When it comes to building a shelter in the wild, it’s essential to use the right materials that are durable and sturdy. Our article on the top 15 materials for building a shelter provides valuable insight into the materials that can be used in various situations, so you can stay safe and secure.
Debris Shelter
A debris shelter is a quick and easy way to create shelter in an emergency situation. In fact, you can build one with the materials you have on hand right now!
As the name suggests, this type of shelter uses loose materials like leaves or pine needles as insulation. It’s a great option for last-minute situations when you don’t have time to find or make other types of shelters.
You’ll need:
- A tarp (or several tarps) big enough to cover your body completely—including your head; at least 12 feet long is best!
- Lots of dry leaves or pine needles (the thicker they are, the better)
| Material | Brand Name | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dead leaves | N/A | Insulation |
| Small branches | Gerber Freescape Hatchet | Framework |
| Vines | VELCRO® Brand VELCOIN® | Binding |
| Bark | EcoDomo Reclaimed Leather Tiles | Waterproofing |
| Moss | Mosser Lee Spanish Moss | Insulation & Waterproofing |
Note: The brand names mentioned above are just a suggestion and not an endorsement of a particular brand.
Snow Shelter
Snow shelters are a quick and easy way to get out of the cold. Here’s how to build one in a pinch:
Build a large pile of snow. No, it doesn’t have to be as big as you think! You just want enough for your body weight to compress it down when you sit on top of it.
Start digging into the snow pile from the bottom, removing snow in chunks rather than scooping with your hands like an animal (this will take longer). You should be able to make an opening that is roughly half your height wide by half your height tall.
Place your sleeping bag on top of this hole and lie down inside of it—now crawl outside! The opening should now be covered by a blue tarp pushed down over itself, forming a makeshift door that can be zipped up when necessary (using duct tape if there isn’t time or resources available).
If there are no tarps around, try using some sticks or branches instead; they’ll still keep out most wind!
If you find yourself stranded in the wilderness without proper shelter, don’t panic. Check out our article on 17 emergency shelter ideas for when you’re caught off guard for some creative and effective shelter ideas that will keep you protected.
A-Frame
You can make an A-frame lean-to from two long poles and a tarp. First, set up the poles to form an “A” shape by pushing them into the ground at each end.
Then stretch your tarp over the frame and secure it with rope or cord tied between the two trees. Add rocks, logs or snow to anchor it in place if necessary.
The roof will be steep but don’t worry about that! It should still provide good protection from wind and rain (though rain may collect on top of your tarp).
| Material | Brand Name | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tarp | Aqua Quest Safari Tarp | Roofing |
| Paracord | Astra Depot 100ft 550 Paracord | Framework and Tying |
| Branches | Gerber Gear Freescape Hatchet | Framework |
| Insulation | Reflectix BP24010 Series Insulation | Insulation for Walls |
| Water Resistant Coating | Kiwi Camp Dry Water Repellent | Coating for Outer Layer |
Note: The brand names mentioned above are for reference purposes and do not imply endorsement or promotion of any particular brand or product.
A-Frame with a Tarp
The tarp is a necessity in any survival situation. In this case, it’s used to keep the rain away from your shelter, but it can be used for other things like creating an emergency poncho or making a makeshift groundsheet for your sleeping bag.
The easiest way to tie the tarp around a tree is to wrap the rope around the trunk, then pull it tight and secure it with some rocks or sticks.
A better method would be using two trees instead of one so that if one branch breaks off during a storm you have another branch as backup.
If no trees are available because they were chopped down during deforestation by loggers or farmers trying to grow crops, then you must improvise by attaching your tarp between two thick branches (or even two thinner ones). You’ll need strong knots here!
Knowing how to build a shelter in the woods can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation. Our article on how to build a shelter in the woods – a step-by-step guide gives you all the details you need to construct a sturdy and secure shelter.
Simple Burial Pit
This is one of the simplest shelters you can make, and it’s easy to build even if you’re in a pinch.
Dig a hole in the ground that’s about 4 feet deep, with a 2-foot diameter at its base.
Place some sticks across the top of this hole so that they form an arch. These will be your roof supports; do not use limbs from trees or bushes unless you’re sure they won’t snap under your weight as you climb up into your shelter later on!
If necessary, construct several archways with different heights until one feels sturdy enough for you to stand on without worry of collapsing (you may need more than two arches depending on how tall or heavy someone is).
Make them far enough apart so that they won’t touch when someone walks through them a foot or so should do nicely here!
Hollow Tree
You can also use a hollow tree for shelter. If you decide to use this method, make sure the tree is healthy and has a large trunk. The best option would be to find an evergreen with little snow on it and no limbs off of it (it’s easier to cut through).
Once you’ve chosen a good candidate, begin by cutting out an opening with your knife. Make sure there is no snow on the ground as that makes it much more difficult for you to dig into the ground beneath the tree once inside.
If you’re planning on building a shelter in a pinch, it’s crucial to have the right knowledge and skills. Our article on how to build a survival shelter in a pinch provides you with the knowledge you need to construct a shelter quickly and efficiently, so you can stay safe in any situation.
Dead Man’s Float or Body Heat Transfer Tent
The Dead Man’s Float or Body Heat Transfer Tent is a survival shelter that is easy to build and can be used in almost any environment.
The shelter consists of a floating platform and a tarp. The floating platform can be made from driftwood, logs, or even large leaves.
If you are using driftwood as your base material then make sure it is smooth for comfort when lying down on it for long periods of time.
If you do not have access to any type of wood then simply build your body heat transfer tent by forming your body into the shape of an “X” with your arms stretched out horizontally over your head with legs together forming another horizontal line at their midpoint (the small area between where each leg connects to the body).
You need enough space so that both sides are able bring their knees up towards their chest while laying down on top off each other in this position (this will relieve pressure).
Lay out one side lengthwise while keeping the other side vertical parallel against it; this creates enough room under each arm space so two people can comfortably fit underneath without having there heads touching overhead branches or rocks which could cause serious injuries during an emergency situation like earthquake!
Raft with Tarp Covering, or “Tarp Raft”
To make a Tarp Raft, you need to find a tarp and some rope. The size of your tarp will be determined by how much space you want in your raft, so choose one that’s big enough to fit all of your supplies.
Tie the rope around two large rocks (you will use these as anchors). Then tie the ends of that rope around the sides of your raft. You can now cover the top with leaves and other debris which will help keep you hidden from any predators while you’re floating in it down stream!
You could also add additional security measures such as using sticks or branches to create an enclosing barrier around yourself if there are any holes in your tarp covering for extra protection from rain/wind etc…
Building a shelter is one of the most important survival skills you can learn. Our comprehensive guide on the ultimate guide to building a shelter in the wilderness covers everything from choosing a location to selecting building materials, so you can build a sturdy and secure shelter in any environment.
Ponderosa Pine Needle Bed and Debris Hut
The Ponderosa Pine Needle Bed and Debris Hut is a quick and easy shelter that can be constructed in under an hour. It’s not the most comfortable option, but it will do if you’re in a pinch.
Pine needles are an excellent insulator, making them perfect for constructing a survival shelter. They’re also easy to find on forest floors, easy to collect (all you need is your hands), easy to use (just stack them up) and store, and easy to transport with you if necessary.
Snow Caves and Igloos
Snow caves are probably the most efficient way to stay warm in cold weather. They can be built in snow or ice, and with a minimum of equipment.
They are easy to build and require no tools except for a sharp blade or ice axe. If you have one of these on hand, all you need is time, patience, and determination—and maybe a buddy or two if it’s really cold out there!
Conclusion
So there you have it, my take on some of the common survival shelters to be found in the wild. You’ll notice that I didn’t talk about a lot of things that many people think work well as survival shelters. That’s because they don’t necessarily work well, or at least not as well as advertised.
Further reading
Here are some additional resources on building a survival shelter:
Wilderness Awareness School: How to Build a Survival Shelter: This article provides an in-depth guide on building different types of survival shelters, along with tips on making them comfortable and safe.
Primal Survivor: Wilderness Survival Shelter with No Supplies: If you find yourself without shelter and supplies, this article provides instructions on how to build a survival shelter using natural materials found in the wilderness.
Survival Life: How to Build a Waterproof Shelter Using Only Natural Materials: When building a survival shelter, staying dry is crucial. This tutorial shows you how to build a waterproof shelter using natural materials and a few simple tools.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about survival shelters:
What is a survival shelter?
A survival shelter is a temporary structure constructed to protect you from the elements and other hazards in a wilderness or emergency situation.
What are the basic requirements of a survival shelter?
A survival shelter should be sturdy, stable, and adequately protect you from wind, rain, and other elements.
What are some common materials used to build a survival shelter?
Common materials used to build a survival shelter include tree branches, leaves, mud, snow, and debris.
What are some essential tools you need when building a survival shelter?
Some essential tools include a hatchet, saw, knife, and cordage. These tools will come in handy when constructing a sturdy shelter.
How do you know which type of survival shelter to build?
The type of shelter you build will depend on the environment and available materials. It is essential to have some basic knowledge of different shelter types, so you can choose the appropriate one based on your location and situation.
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.