What are Survival Shelters?
Temporary shelters that can be quickly constructed by one person in an emergency situation are referred to as survival shelters. These structures increase your likelihood of survival when stranded in an unfamiliar location, such as the wilderness or a remote area. Additionally, the shelter will serve as a survival headquarters where essential supplies, such as food, water, and gear, can be stored.
Why Is Shelter Important for Survival?
Although some individuals consider shelter a luxury, it is actually an essential physiological requirement, along with water and food. In actuality, securing a safe shelter should be prioritized even above locating food and water, as it can provide protection against unforeseen and unmanageable circumstances.
In the event that you become lost in the wilderness or encounter a SHTF scenario, it’s conceivable that you might be unable to reach a secure location the same day. As a result, you will require some form of emergency shelter to protect yourself from the elements and environmental exposure. Furthermore, this shelter will offer an enhanced level of security against potential predators, pests, insects, and snakes.
Common Types of Survival Shelters
While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, it does represent the most common styles and types of survival shelters for both short- and long-term survival. With each one, we’ll make sure we cover what they’re made out of, how to build it, and any tools or other equipment that you may need to accomplish the build.
Bough Bed
At times, a survival shelter may not be necessary, but a comfortable area to rest for the night would suffice. If sleeping outdoors is not a concern, a bough bed could be an ideal solution. Simply gather evergreen boughs, leaves, grass, moss, and other soft materials to create the basic components.
Place two logs horizontally on the ground, keeping them parallel and approximately 3 feet away from each other. Stuff the gap between them with branches of different sizes, laying them down in groups. This method of adding bunches of branches not only enhances the bedding’s cushioning effect, but also provides better isolation from the chilly ground.
Tarp Tipi
Unsplash.com features a tipi shelter structure that is bare.
With just a handful of poles, some cordage, and minimal effort, you can construct a durable tarp tipi that will protect you from the elements such as rain, wind, and sun. The tipi is flexible in its design, requiring only simple tying of the poles and placing of the cover material, allowing for quick setup.
Utilize rope or string to fasten lengthy, uncurved branches jointly at a single end while extending them outwards at the other. Keep incorporating branches in a circular formation until the walls of the tipi are formed, then enclose it using a tarp and fasten it together at the peak. Keep an opening at the bottom loose to serve as the doorway.
Wickiup
There are three wickiups located within the forest – unplash.com.
The wickiup, which is popular in the southwest yet can be seen worldwide, resembles the tipi but is wider, shorter, and has a more extensive entryway. To construct it, you would require various poles, preferably some with branch-like endings.
Create a tripod by leaning the forks of the poles together and gradually add more poles to form a stable structure. Once it is sturdy, cover the outside by using grass, leaves, or tarp. In case of a wetter climate, use moss blankets to absorb moisture and provide insulation for the interior.
Leaf Hut
An Unsplash.com image depicting a hut made from leaves.
A leaf hut is an A-frame structure, lower to the ground and with better insulation, resembling a lean-to. For constructing it, obtain a long pole of 9 or 10 feet minimum. Lay it down and elevate one end, then lean branches on the pole to form walls, and finally, cover the walls with leaves to provide insulation.
Snow Cave
The Offgrid Recoil presents the USMC Winter Shelter Snow Cave.
In areas with heavy snowfall, constructing winter survival shelters that are not made of snow may prove ineffective. This is where the snow cave comes into play. Although it is the riskiest option for a shelter in the snow, it may also be the sole opportunity for survival in an extreme situation.
In order to create a shelter that captures heated air effectively, you should locate a snow bank that is both solid and exceptionally deep. Begin by excavating a depression, known as a “cold well,” into the side of the snow bank where cool air will enter and accumulate. Proceed to dig upwards and over this cold well to form a spacious shelf for sleeping on, which should be positioned at the pinnacle of the shelter to promote the collection and retention of all heated air.
It is essential to create a small opening, around 6 inches wide, in the roof for ventilation, which should be done before blocking the entrance to the snow cave, to ensure proper airflow.
Quinzee
A structure made of twigs was constructed by Quinzee to increase its durability – according to Willow Haven Outdoor.
The quinzhee is a uncomplicated snow formation that bears similarity to an igloo in shape, albeit being closer to the ground and simpler to build. Unlike an igloo, which requires a specific amount of snow to be constructed, a quinzhee can be made from nearly any form of compressible snow.
Begin constructing a quinzee by creating a heap of your gear beneath a tarp. Any available backpacks, rucksacks, coolers, or other items may be used. Proceed to cover the tarp with snow and tamp it down as firmly as feasible. A minimum of two feet of snow should be piled up so that some of it can be removed.
Place 12-inch sticks along the perimeters to gauge the inner 12-inch mark. Dig into the framework, removing the snow towards the exterior until all guide sticks are reached. Create a vent hole at the roof’s center and your task is complete.
Ramada
The construction of a ramada is uncomplicated and suitable for hot and sunny areas that require shade as a basic protection for its inhabitants. The design entails four posts supporting a flat, rectangular roof. It is not a reliable shelter during sudden rain showers, but is a good option if stranded in regions where high temperatures and minimal precipitation are prevalent, such as tropical and desert areas.
After placing the corner beams, the roof can be made from various materials. Often, branches are used to frame the roof, and a tarp is added to provide crucial shade. If preferred, walls can be included, but they should be detachable to enable the circulation of daytime air.
Round Lodge
A combination of various cultures makes up the round lodge, resembling both the wickiup and the tipi. However, the primary advantage of the round lodge lies in its functionality. It offers protection from the elements such as wind, rain, snow, and sun. Although its construction is similar to that of a tipi, a round lodge has a durable entrance made by fastening horizontal supports to two of the vertical poles, creating a set distance between them.
When laying the poles to create the structure, there should be a hole remaining in the center of the peak to allow campfire smoke to vent. Once the poles are set, the sides can be thatched with grass, leaves, or other matting material. It can even be buried under forest litter and debris for a higher degree of stealth and insulation.
Wedge Tarp
Creating a wedge tarp shelter is a simple and effective solution for areas with strong winds. By identifying the direction of the prevailing winds, the design of the shelter will protect you from the harsh winds.
In order to construct it, the essential requirements include a tarp and stakes, as well as a tool to securely embed the stakes in the ground. It is strongly advised to avoid using a flat rock to prevent damaging the remaining tent stakes. A total of 5 connection spots are necessary.
To properly set up the tarp, it is necessary to have a stake in every corner and one in the middle of the opposite side where the entrance is located. The entrance must be orientated away from the direction of the most frequent winds. Additionally, the middle section of that same side should be secured with a rope that can be tied to a nearby tree or held up by a branch that is anchored in the ground.
Open Shelter/ Lean-To Shelter
One of the simplest types of shelter to construct is a lean-to enclosure, which is well-liked.
A basic lean-to can be constructed using materials such as wood, twigs, a tarp, or a poncho. The structure should have three walls, with the open side facing away from the prevailing wind. And it should be free-standing.
To build a shelter, the plan entails making a pitched roof that is propped up by two sturdy poles and a central beam. Outdoor Life recommends picking a spot that has trees or other constructions which can offer support to the beam and poles. The high slant of the roof makes sure that rain and snow don’t gather on it. Moreover, the roof is made waterproof by placing bark slabs or a tarp over it.
A-Frame Shelter
An A-Frame shelter, also called a double lean-to, is a structure with an A shape that consists of a central ridge pole running along the top and two walls on either side. It can be constructed as a standalone unit or leaned against a tree for convenience.
To build an A-frame, measure your ridgepole so that it covers the entire length of your body. For the ribs (the main branches that support the walls of your A-Frame), you can use sturdy branches and twigs. Make sure that they are strong enough not to snap or cave in. You can fill and thatch the spaces between the ribs using more leaves, bushes, or pine boughs.
To prevent your shelter from getting wet, you can utilize a tarp or any waterproof material.
Dugout Shelter
To create a dugout shelter, one must excavate a trench that is equivalent in length to their height and approximately 3 feet deep. Once dug, the top of the trench can be covered with sizable branches and adorned with vegetation, litter, or a tarp in order to retain warmth.
Teepee Shelter
To construct a teepee, one creates a tripod by setting up a thin tree or a lengthy pole and then binds additional poles together around it in the shape of a cone. This produces a shelter.
In order to construct this shelter, it is necessary to continually include sets of poles that are identical in size, attaching or connecting them at the peak while ensuring that the foundation is broad and high enough to accommodate your body.
Fallen Tree Shelter
Natural survival shelters can be created using fallen trees. One wall of the shelter can be formed by the flat base of the root, offering protection from wind and heat reflection. If available, you can utilize the tree’s bark and leaves as kindling for a fire.
Ensure that the tree doesn’t cause any harm to you by falling and confirm that it is situated in a place that is not wet.
Debris Hut Shelter
A body heat shelter known as a debris hut is made by piling up materials such as dirt, leaves, and twigs to trap body heat. It is a small shelter with a crawl-in entrance and requires covering the opening to prevent air from circulating and thus conserve body heat.
Snow Shelter
In colder environments, a snow shelter serves as a shelter for body heat. Its concept is comparable to that of a debris hut shelter, with the exception that snow is utilized in place of dirt and leaves.
To construct a successful survival shelter, the key factors are the placement and density of the snow. A denser and more easily compactable snow will result in a sturdier structure, hence locations with larger snowdrifts should be sought after. Additional useful techniques for creating different types of snow shelters are demonstrated in this manual.
