Knowing how to build a natural shelter can save your life in an emergency. You don’t need cordage or a tarp to get out of the elements, which is crucial in a survival situation. In fact, finding shelter can be more important than finding drinking water. The survival rule of thumb known as the ‘Rule of 3’ states that you can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. All shelters listed below can be built without cordage or tools.
The A-frame shelter
This simple natural shelter is efficient at keeping you warm. You should build it only just large enough for you to lie down inside; this keeps warm air in and prevents cold air from entering.
Step 1: Build the frame by leaning a long, sturdy branch against a tree. Then, lean smaller sticks close together against that branch. Ensure they do not protrude too far at the top, or they will catch rain and channel it inside your shelter.
Step 2: Layer spruce branches, palm leaves, or whatever materials are available on top of the sticks. They do not necessarily need to be green or fresh, but be sure to add plenty. Ideally, you should not be able to see through the roof from the inside. Be careful when harvesting! Ferns and many other plants can cause nasty cuts if pulled with bare hands. Use a tool to cut them, or protect your hands with thick bark before pulling.
Step 3: Finally, add leaves, eelgrass, kelp, or other debris to seal the structure. In winter, you can cover it with snow. However, consider the risk of thawing, which could leave your shelter soaked.
The lean-to
This shelter is a great choice when you want enough space to both sit up and lie down. Nothing beats having a dry outdoor space when it’s raining. Take note of the wind direction and build the shelter with its back to the wind. To stay warm at night, build a ‘long fire’ close to the entrance with a heat reflector on the opposite side.
Step 1: To build the frame, find two sturdy sticks with a ‘Y’ fork at the top. Cut the branches about 10 cm from the fork and drive the sticks into the ground. Then, rest a long, solid ridgepole across the two forks.
Step 2: Lean several sticks against this ridgepole and weave smaller twigs between them diagonally to create a mesh.
Step 3: Layer spruce branches, leaves or other debris onto the twigs, working from the bottom up. Be sure to add plenty of material; ideally, you should not be able to see any light through the roof from the inside.
The lean-to with a raised bed
This shelter is great for keeping warm in cold weather. When it’s cold, you want to raise yourself off the ground because this is where you lose most of your body heat. If you’re in a place with no risk of rain, you may want to start by building the bed: Place some straight sticks diagonally on a couple of logs placed on the ground at each side. This will make your bed a little springy, too. Add small spruce twigs or dry grass as bedding for extra comfort and insulation.
Step 1: To build the shelter, first look for two trees with low-growing, forked branches and rest a long, solid ridgepole between them.
Step 2: Lean a number of sticks against the top and then weave smaller twigs into them diagonally. Make sure the roof is steep, or the rain will eventually drip through.
Step 3: Weave spruce branches, leaves, or other debris onto the twigs, working from the bottom up. Be sure to add plenty of material; ideally, you should not be able to see any light through the roof from the inside.
Tips and tricks:
Natural Cordage: Many plants can be used as cordage without any processing. Spruce roots, for example, can be found just beneath the forest floor. They are long, strong, and flexible—ideal for tying logs together. Many climbing plants also work great for this.
Important Notice: Do not dig up tree roots unless you are in a survival situation or have permission from the landowner. Roots are a tree’s lifeline. If you must harvest them, make sure you don’t take them all from the same tree.
Breaking large branches without tools: You can still break thick branches even without a hatchet, knife, or saw. Find a tree with a V-fork or codominant stems (a double trunk). Place the branch you want to break between the two trunks and use your body weight to push or pull until it snaps.
The Long Fire: Don’t underestimate the power of a well-built fire. Not only will it keep you warm, it also keeps your morale high and potentially fends off wild animals. The long fire is exactly what the name suggests: a long fire to keep you warm from head to toe. Unless you are wearing synthetic clothing, you can build it quite close to you—especially if you are wearing wool as an outer layer. Find some long logs and build the fire so that it is the same length as yourself.
Building a Heat Reflector: If you are lucky enough to get a fire going, building a heat reflector is a major advantage to prevent heat loss. Find some big, preferably flat stones and line them up in a curved line behind your campfire so the thermal radiation bounces back towards you. If you don’t have stones, you can also stack logs between four sticks driven into the ground to hold them in place. This also works really well.