DIY: Shelter Huts

Shelter is one of humanity's basic needs and, in a survival situation, it can make the difference between life and death. Constructing a shelter from natural materials is a relatively easy way to protect yourself from predators and the elements while you either await rescue or make plans to extricate yourself from the predicament. The U.S. Army Survival Manual details several shelters that can be built with little difficulty using materials you're likely to find in the wild.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
Show More

Instructions

  1. Debris hut

    • 1

      Locate a sturdy tree stump between two- and three-feet tall and clear the area surrounding it of branches or other debris.

    • 2

      Select a long, somewhat straight branch to act as the ridge of the shelter and place one end of it on the tree stump. Anchor the branch to the trunk by surrounding it with some medium-sized rocks. Place the other end of the branch on the ground and anchor it similarly.

    • 3

      Collect progressively shorter branches to use as the shelter's ribbing and set them up at a roughly 45-degree angle along the length of the the ridge pole. The opening to the shelter will be facing the tree trunk, so be certain to leave a wide enough space to allow easy entry and exit.

    • 4

      Place smaller branches perpendicularly on the shelter's ribs.

    • 5

      Cover the shelter in a dry insulating material. The U.S. Army Survival Manual recommends grass, pine needles and leaves.

    • 6

      Cover the insulating material with another layer of sticks to act as shingles.

    • 7

      Collect more insulating material to cover the shelter's opening once you're inside.

    Tree-pit snow shelter

    • 8

      Locate an evergreen with wide, full branches in a deep snow bank.

    • 9

      Dig out the snow around the base of the tree. Make it wide and deep enough to accommodate comfortably as many people as necessary.

    • 10

      Pack the snow on the walls of the shelter hole so it doesn't fall in on top of you.

    • 11

      Build up a wall of snow around the opening of your shelter if you don't think it's deep enough or you weren't able to dig down far enough.

    • 12

      Collect evergreen branches to use both as floor insulation and roof material.

    Beach Shade Shelter

    • 13

      Dig a trench in the sand at an area above the high-tide mark. Make it large enough that you can comfortably lie in it.

    • 14

      Build up short sand walls around the edge of the trench to increase the shelter's vertical space.

    • 15

      Lay driftwood or other branches across the top of the shelter and use wet sand to secure them to the walls.

    • 16

      Collect leaves, brush or moss to use as a cover for the driftwood ceiling and material for a bed within the shelter.

    • 17

      Make sure the shelter opening is wide enough for easy entry and exit. Dig it out further if necessary.