Knowing how to make a survival shelter is crucial because it takes precedence over emergency food and water, making shelter the top priority for survival. Thus, it is essential for everyone to be aware of this skill.
In the following steps, we demonstrate the process of constructing 11 uncomplicated designs for a survival shelter, which have the potential to be life-saving.
There are those who need a tarp, whereas others make do with scavenged debris and wood.
Make sure to rehearse this skill so you will be ready in case you ever need it.
Choose Your Site
When deciding on a location for your wilderness shelter, choose a spot that is:
- Dry
- Flat
- Not right next to a body of water.
- Not underneath any cliffs, falling rocks, or dead limbs which could fall on you
- Is readily visible or very well hidden (depending on whether you want to be found or not)
- Have a good place for a fire right in front of the doorway
When considering the location for your shelter, it is important to keep in mind that choosing a flat site is not solely for the purpose of comfort.
If your shelter is located on a slope, the possibility exists that rainwater may enter your shelter during a rainfall event.
If you are unable to find a flat area to construct your shelter and there is a high chance of rain, you should consider digging trenches in order to redirect the water flow and protect the shelter.
Elevation
When thinking about building a survival shelter, the first thing you should consider is elevation. Elevation primarily determines how you handle water. While it may seem desirable to construct your shelter near a babbling brook, that brook could become a significant flood hazard during heavy rainfall.
Choosing a poor location would result in the unfortunate flooding of shelters with an excellent rainproof roof, which would be a regrettable outcome.
Dangerous Trees
When deciding on a location for your shelter, it is always advisable to look upwards.
You should consider that standing dead trees have the potential to topple onto your shelter, endangering both you and it. Furthermore, widowmakers, which refer to large branches that are suspended in the trees above, may become dislodged by a strong gust of wind and pose a threat to your shelter as well.
Wind Direction
To ensure optimal shelter quality, it is crucial to take into account the wind’s direction as it serves as a protective barrier against it. This consideration is equally significant for your fire, as preventing smoke from drifting into your shelter necessitates awareness of the wind’s orientation.
Nearby Animal Threats
If you want to select a suitable location, it is important to carefully search the area for indications of animals. This includes fur, scat, animal bones, and tracks, all of which should be sought near your shelter. It is advisable to avoid building your shelter near a bear den. If you observe a significant amount of animal signs, it is necessary to find another location.
Assess Your Needs
Various wilderness survival experts may inform you about the most effective survival shelter, but it ultimately relies on your individual requirements and circumstances.
These are some of the factors you need to take into account:
- How many people are in your group?
- Does your shelter need to be camouflaged?
- How cold is it? Will you build a fire inside or directly in front of your shelter?
- How much time do you have to make the shelter?
- Is the shelter for long-term or short-term use?
Decide On a Type of Shelter
If you have knowledge of various shelter designs and their suitable purposes, making the correct selection is crucial when constructing a shelter in the wilderness.
The Tarp Shelter
In order to construct this survival shelter, you simply require a plastic tarp and some cordage. In case of an emergency, it can also be created using a rain poncho. All you need to do is secure one end of the tarp to a tree, and repeat the process for the other end.
Advantages
- Fastest to build
- Very easy to build
- Good for larger groups
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- Poor protection from wind and rain
- Could easily break from falling sticks, hard rain, etc.
- No protection from animals
Tarp Tent
To proceed, simply connect a piece of cordage between two trees and cover it with your tarp. Afterwards, utilize rocks, sticks, or additional cordage to secure the tarp’s sides away from you. You may also refer to our survival tarps guide for further assistance.
Advantages
- Fast and easy to build
- Protects from rain
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- Only moderate protection from wind
- Could easily break from falling sticks, hard rain, etc.
- No protection from animals
Snow Shelter
In the event of an emergency while outdoors in snowy conditions, what actions should you take?
If you have an emergency shovel, you can quickly make this survival shelter, especially since it will be too cold to spend a significant amount of time making one.
To begin, locate a tree and place a branch against its trunk, ensuring it forms a 45-degree angle. Proceed to clear the snow to create a “wall.” Support your tarp by propping another branch nearby. Finally, carefully drape the tarp over the branches.
To provide insulation and warmth inside this survival shelter, you can line it with pine needles and brush.
Tools for Making and Pitching Shelters
There are campers who are capable of constructing an impressive shelter using only a high-quality knife.
I am not the type of person who enjoys outdoor activities. Instead, I carry the necessary tools to efficiently and effectively complete tasks.
Woodsman’s Ax
The woodsman’s ax is an incredibly powerful tool. With its shorter design, it allows for a strong swing that can effectively split or chop wood. Additionally, the flat side of the ax can function as a hammer, making it highly versatile. Overall, this ax is essential for constructing natural shelters.
Folding Saw
If you rely on your woodsman’s ax for precise cuts, it requires a considerable amount of skill. In order to achieve accurate measurements and cuts, I prefer using a high-quality folding saw such as the Bahco Laplander. The folding saw allows for precise measurements and cutting to specific lengths.
The folding saw can make an exact cut when creating your ridgepole, which can be used as the foundation for a lean-to shelter.
Auger
In order to split wood, you can utilize your ax; meanwhile, your folding saw can assist in crosscutting the wood grain. To bore holes in wood, some sort of auger is necessary.
This is perfect for storing in a small satchel or holster, as it consists of a small metal auger and some bits.
Paracord
In my opinion, paracord does not serve as a tool per se. However, it can be used to connect poles, attach ridge poles to trees, and even thread together large leaves and roofing materials.
Awl
When boring a hole in wood, you will need an auger. However, for punching holes in cloth, leaves, or bark, which are commonly utilized in constructing shelters, it is recommended to use an awl. The necessity of an awl may vary depending on the specific type of shelter you are creating.
