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Guidance

Improve your survivability and reduce the impacts of the elements. Create an emergency shelter.

Building a survival shelter in the woods can provide you with protection from the elements and potentially increase your chances of survival.

Here’s a basic guide on how to build a simple survival shelter.

Location

Choose a suitable location for your shelter.

Look for a flat or slightly elevated area away from potential hazards like dead trees, flood-prone areas, or animal trails.

Materials

Gather materials from your surroundings. Look for sturdy branches, logs, and foliage such as leaves, pine needles, or moss. These will serve as the primary components of your shelter.

Ridgepole and frame

Find a long and sturdy branch to serve as your ridgepole.

Prop it up horizontally between two trees or support it with two vertical supports firmly planted in the ground.

Create a frame by leaning smaller branches against the ridgepole on both sides.

Roof

Layer foliage, such as branches with leaves or pine boughs, over the frame.

This will act as a roof to provide insulation and protection from rain or snow. Make sure to overlap the foliage to prevent water from seeping through.

Walls

Collect additional branches and lean them against the frame to create walls.

Fill in any gaps or holes with smaller branches, leaves, or moss to provide additional insulation.

Insulation

Gather dry leaves, moss, or grass to create a thick layer on the floor of your shelter. This will act as insulation from the cold ground.

Entrance

Leave an opening in your shelter for an entrance.

This will allow you to get in and out easily and provide ventilation.

You can use a tarp, poncho, or additional branches as a door or cover the entrance when needed.

Test and improve

Before relying on your shelter, test it by spending some time inside. Make necessary adjustments to improve its stability, insulation, and overall comfort.

Remember, building a shelter in the wilderness requires proper knowledge and skills.

It’s essential to prioritize your safety, understand your environment, and be prepared for unexpected situations.

If possible, it’s always advisable to carry essential survival gear and inform someone of your location and plans before venturing into the wilderness.