How to Make an Emergency Shelter

Lost! What do you do when you find yourself lost in the woods and you realize that you have not any shelter or food? The food problem will be addressed in a separate article, but for now, we will talk about building an emergency shelter. Just how does one go about making an emergency shelter when all he has are the clothes on his back and his backpack?  The process of building a shelter is simpler than you think!

How to Make a Primitive Debris Shelter

This is in fact, one of the easiest shelters to make because you'll already have the essential materials you need all around you. Debris shelters are made of nature’s debris (leaves, branches, twigs, etc). When you’re in dire straits this type of emergency shelter will suit you just fine since although primitive, it will provide you with a warm and dry place to sleep during the night. That is, if you build it correctly.

You need to locate a good place to start building. A primary rule of thumb is to avoid building your emergency shelter near trees that look like they're dead or like they're about to die. In addition, another rule is to avoid building your shelter on low-laying areas because if it rains, you’ll get washed out. Once you have secured an area that is clear of the above-mentioned dangers, crack your knuckles and get to work!

Find a strong and straight stick that will serve as the spine of your emergency shelter. Since this stick will be the spine, make sure that it is strong enough to hold the weight of the layers you'll put on later. In addition, the stick needs to be, at best, a few inches taller than you. So if you stand the stick up, it should surpass the top of your head. Take and rest the stick on a big rock or against a tree. If you rest it against a tree, make sure you place it securely at the joint where the tree and the branch meet. Secure the other end of the stick on the ground. In order to provide proper protection from the outside elements, make sure the stick at the highest end reaches your thigh or waist.

Once you do that, you will need to place support sticks on either side of the spine.  Make sure the support sticks are close together so as not to allow rain or any other elements to sneak in. There should be an opening left in the front for you to get in later.

Add a few layers of natural material that will serve as an auxiliary support for the support sticks. Next, pile on any and everything you can find that will serve as a protection from the elements. You could pile on leaves, or you could pile on sticks that are more lightweight. Moss could be ready attained in the woods. Moss serves as a perfect insulation for your emergency shelter. Moss will also repel the insects and will absorb the rain if it rains on you. The more you pile on, the more airtight your shelter will be. Once you’ve accomplished this, you will need to follow the last and final step.

Insulate the inside of your emergency shelter with the same material you used to create an outside canopy. Scoot into your shelter, feet first, and test out your sleeping area. You want your sleeping area to be as comfortable as possible. While you’re inside, pack in the leaves and moss to your satisfaction. The goal is to make a comfortable and protected space for you to sleep for the night. Once you’ve followed the last step, you will be ready to take refuge in your emergency shelter. Now you will have one less thing to worry about.

Copyright @ 2008 Survival Training