Shelter Building 101

Shelter Building 101

So, why do you need to know how to build a shelter if you already plan to hunker down or bug out? Great question, glad you asked ! Even though you have your plan in place, you really never know if situations will occur that will prevent you from reaching your bug out location, or if it becomes compromised. In either of those situations you may find yourself on foot and you will definitely need to know how to build a shelter. Remember our discussion on the “Rule of 3” ? You can only survive 3 hours in adverse weather conditions without shelter!

Now there are literally tons of ways you can build your own shelter on the go. In this discussion, we will focus on three different shelter types that are among the most common. It is important to mention that these skills should be practiced before you need them. The last thing anyone needs is to be in a crisis and not remember or know how to build a shelter.

1. Tarp Shelter

There are many variations of how a tarp can be used in building a shelter. They are affordable and lightweight, and can be folded compactly to fit inside a bug out bag. If you are a visual person the below examples will be helpful for you. Many of these can be made by using rope, paracord, and of course a tarp. By using natural elements such as rocks, limbs, or piles of leaves; you can help to anchor down any sides you need too. One important reminder for which ever design you chose is you should never sleep on the bare ground! This should be avoided so you do not lose body heat and get sick ! If you were to have a sleeping bag of course that would be great, but even still pile leaves under you for insulation. If you are able to use a method that gives you the ability to fold the tarp to make a floor, do that!

(Image via www.hunting.survivalbill.ca)

This diagram was enlarged to show you more clearly the vast ways you can use a tarp for shelter building. As you can see there are many different types of methods for using your tarp. If a video tutorial would be more helpful, we are providing one we’ve found that we believe shows a very quick and simple way that anyone can use to build a shelter. Note: There are videos that also explain how to fold your tarp to build a door and floor for your shelter, go check them out too!

Video Credit: SunDogOutfitter on Youtube

2. Dug Out Shelter
A dug out shelter is almost self explanatory, you begin with building a trench two to three feet deep and approximately six to eight feet long, if possible. You would line the bottom of the trench with dry natural elements for bedding, preferably grasses, leaves, or as the video shows willow or pine needles. While what you can find may not be too terribly comfortable to lay on, it’s all about survival at that point. You would then find heavy branches that are long enough the cover the trench. Next you would need to find materials to cover the branches for insulation. The attached video gives an example of how to build this type of shelter. Just remember, their location is not ideal but the techniques used are helpful.

Video Credit: Martin Survival on Youtube

3. Debris Shelter

A debris shelter is sometimes referred to as a debris hut,  and it also requires elements of nature to use for building your shelter. There are many varieties and adaptations that can used when making this type of shelter. One of the easiest is by building an A-frame structure out of heavy limbs and then covering it in natural debris such as limbs and leaves to create a small, but more importantly ..warm shelter. While searching for a good tutorial video for a debris shelter, we noticed that many of them are made to be permanent structures. Those require much more time and since we are focusing on more immediate methods, we are sharing one that we feel can be made relatively quick.

Video Credit: SC Outdoorsmen on Youtube

All of these ideas are only a few of the various types of shelters you can make, but if made properly will help to keep you out of the elements and help ensure your survival. Remember to do your own research and practice shelter building ahead of time so that when it becomes necessary, you will already have the knowledge you need to help you survive!

If You Have Any Questions, Comments, or Suggestions For Us; Please Let Us Know !!!

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Author Information:

Sharon Pannell is a self proclaimed "Prepsteader", both prepper and homesteader. She authors the blog The Trailer Park Homesteader where she teaches others about the importance of disaster preparedness and self-sufficiency. Sharon believes everyday the stuff can hit the fan, it is not one big epic event necessarily and it only takes one set back to create a hardship; so big or small prepare for it all ! Along with her blog, Sharon can also be found managing her other social media sites including her Facebook Page The Trailer Park Homesteader, TTPH Pinterest Page, and TTPH Twitter Page.

Know the Basics & Rule of 3

Know the Basics

 Listen here: http://youtu.be/ioTRGOXbYSU

In any disaster or survival situation there are five main things you have to have.

These include:

Fire

 Shelter

Purified Water & Food

First Aid

Signaling & *Security

Fire: Whether you are staying hunkered down or have bugged out, you will need a way to build a fire. This provides warmth, light, a means to cook, and offers some protection from some animals. Make sure you have a tool or the skills necessary to build multiple fires. Such items as a magnesium fire starter, or stormproof matches can be stored in a bag and take up little space. It is also recommended to practice survival fire making techniques using friction or bow & drill techniques.

Shelter: You will also need to have a warm and safe shelter of some sort. If you have a BOL, then you have that covered, but if you are stuck outside without a tent or tarp of some kind, you're going to have to build a wilderness/earth shelter. This will keep you out of the weather and help your body retain heat to prevent hypothermia. It will also keep you hidden and provide security.

Water/Food: No matter the situation your body has to have clean purified water to survive. You can easily store chemical drops or tablets that use iodine or chlorine to purify water. It is essential that you wait the full 30 minutes suggested on the bottles, before you drink the water. Other techniques can be filling clean PET water bottles and placing them in direct sunlight for 6 hours. You can also make water filters from gravel, sand, and charcoal. (more about these later). Food is also an important necessity to have, obviously. You can either purchase items such as MRE's, make your own, or pack non-perishable foods. If you are caught in a disaster, you may need to scavenge or snare wild game to cook.  

First Aid: Having at least basic first aid supplies will help you when you need it! I would highly recommend taking a first aid & CPR course now. You may never think you need these skills, but if something were to happen you would know what to do, how to do it, and having the skills will prevent you from panicking if you or someone else is injured.

Signaling/*Security: If you are in a natural disaster and need help, having signaling tools can save your life. This helps you to alert others of your whereabouts and increases your chance of survival tremendously. These can include a flare gun, whistle, mirrors, smoke canisters, or trail markers. 

 *However, let me also mention that it is possible that you are purposely trying to stay hidden. In this case, I would suggest taking along something for security. A knife for one, has multiple uses. You can use this as a tool to build your shelter, digging holes, cleaning game, self-defense and security. Another option would be taking along a gun for hunting and security. Just remember you will need to take additional ammunition along. I would suggest a minimum of 100 rounds per weapon.

(It is important to note to be careful in the amount of ammo you decide to take, because if you are doing a lot of walking this will become heavy and deplete your energy).

Rule of 3:

Preppers sometime think of the Rule of 3 as being you need 3 of everything. This can be helpful in some situations, but it not always meant literally.

I would agree that you need at least 3 routes of escape. If you were evacuated for instance, you need to be conscience of the fact that your normal escape route will most likely be jammed packed with others trying to leave that way. So have back-ups to your route, and take a map!

Practice all 3 of these routes, before disaster strikes.

I would also suggest having back-ups for your fire-making and water purification methods. These are two things that will help you survive, so take along at least 3 options for building a fire and purifying water.

TO SURVIVE NEVER FORGET:

3 MINUTES WITHOUT AIR

3 DAYS WITHOUT WATER

3 WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD

3 HOURS WITHOUT SHELTER

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS!!