Emergency Shelter
When you just want to get out of the elements for a little
while, one of these may be the answer, they provide minimal
protection and could never be described as comfortable, but they
may make the difference between life and death if you are too
tired or injured to construct anything more elaborate. (For
pictures/diagrams see:
http://forums.cosmoaccess.net/forum/survival/prep/shelter.htm)BoughShelter
Look for branches that sweep to the ground or fallen boughs that
offer protection from the wind-ensure they are secure enough not
to fall on you though! You may want to secure them by lashing (see
diagram). Weave in other branches to add supplemental protection,
conifers are more suited to this technique than broad leaves.
Root Shelter
The spreading roots and compacted earth at the base of a fallen
tree form a useful storm barrier, if they are facing the right
way. Filling in the sides around the roots will increase it's
potential and provide a solid base for construction of something
more elaborate.
Natural Hollow
A shallowdepression in the earth will provide some protection
from wind immediately, and provides a natural basis for
construction of a shelter. However care must be taken in damp
areas or on hills or you'll end up under water! Lay a few light
logs across the hollow and then a larger bow across them, this
will give pitch to short branches laid across the top to keep out
rain. Finish with turf or twigs and leaves.
Fallen Trunk
A fallen trunk alone provides a good windbreak. Scoop out a
small hollow on the leeward side and construct a lean-to roof of
boughs.
Stone Barriers
A shelter is more comfortable if you have enough headroom to
sit up in it. So build up a low wall of stones around a hollow or
shallow excavation. Caulk the walls with mud, leaves, twigs and
turf, finish with a roof of branches and turf.
Sapling Shelter
If you should happen upon a growth of saplings, clear the
ground between them and lash their tops together, weave branches
between them and consolidate with ferns and turf. A similar effect
can be gained by driving pliable branches firmly in the ground. If
you have your "bug-out" or emergency kit you should have access to
some form of waterproof sheeting, throw this over the saplings and
weight with stones or logs.
Bashas
With a waterproof poncho, groundsheet, piece of tarpaulin or
plastic sheeting you can construct what is often referred to in
the forces as a "basha". There are a few designs below. Remember,
always use natural shelter where possible, always insulate
yourself from the ground and always secure the sheeting
carefully.
Tepees
Best known as the homes of North American Indians, start by
tying three or more uprights together to form a cone, you can tie
them on the ground before erecting. Cover with hides, sheeting or
panels of birchbark. Ensure you leave a hole at the top for
ventilation.
Advanced Shelters
Snow Cave
Under conditions of heavy snow it may be impossible to find
building materials, at least not quickly enough to get you out of
the elements. Fortunately snow itself provides a good building
material. Dig into a drift of firm snow to make a "cave". Make use
of the fact that warm air rises and cold air sinks. Make your
shelter on 3 levels. Build a SMALL fire on the highest, sleep in
the middle and allow the low area to trap cold air. Use a stick or
ice axe to force two holes in the roof, one to allow smoke to
escape another to provide ventilation, fit a packed block of snow
to the door.
Stick Walls
Screens
It is possible to build simple walls by piling sticks between
uprights driven into the ground and (if possible) tied at the top.
Fill them well with dirt to close gaps and keep out the
elements.
Coverings
Make wattle and woven coverings for roofs or walls from springy
saplings, small branches, plant stems, grasses or long leaves.
First make a frame from less pliable material, tie off the struts
and then weave in your materials. If you have little cordage drive
the uprights into the ground and weave in enough of your material
to make a basic framework, remove from the ground and finish.
Caves
Caves provide ready made shelter, even small caves can be made
habitable and the larger ones make ideal permanent homes. Caves in
rock set above valleys are normally dry inside, even if you get a
little seepage through the roof. Caves can be cold and sometimes
the local fauna may have beaten you to it so approach with care,
if there are signs of other "inhabitants" light a fire near the
entrance, but be sure to allow them an escape route, a good
insulating layer of dry plant matter should help deal with the
other problem. Beware of rockfall!!! Getting permanently trapped
in your new home is not conducive to personal survival. Fires
should be kept towards the rear of a cave, the smoke will rise and
follow the roof to an exit, smoke from a fire lit near the
entrance on the other hand will blow inside.
Sod House
Turf Houses are useful in areas where timber is scarce or you
do not have the necessary tools to work in wood. Cut sections of
turf 18x6in and build them like bricks, overlapping "Old English"
fashion. Slope the walls towards the rear to give pitch to your
roof, which will have to be supported by wooden spars or some
other equally strong material. Make a cover as described above and
attach to the spars, cover this with leaves and then a layer of
turf. Build low, big enough to situp or maybe scuttle around in
but not high enough to stand up straight. You can leave the
leeward side open, or for a stronger build fit a doorway to the
lee wall, for this however you will need timber for the frame. You
can build in an internal hearth and chimney, but remember that
turf is flammable, coat the hearth area thickly with clay before
use, or light a fire outside the door with a fire reflector
behind.
Log Cabins
The size of your log cabin will depend on two factors, the size
of your timber and the number of people it is to house. A square
or rectangle shape will be easiest to build and roof, 8ft square
is a sensible size for a small cabin. Choose a level site to build
your cabin, flatten a larger area if necessary, the walls must be
level. Cutting down logs should ideally be accomplished with an
axe or 2-handed saw although in a pinch the flexible saw from a
survival kit will suffice. Unless you're sure you're up to the job
don't attempt windows, you should get enough ventilation from the
doorway, don't worry about making a door immediately, hang a
blanket or other cloth over the door, it'll keep out the wind.
Caulk between the logs with a mixture of mud and the wood chips
from your logging, use a sharpened stick to force it into the
gaps. Cover the roof with saplings before laying a layer of mud
and turf. You can add a fireplace if you leave a space in the roof
for smoke to escape, but never leave it unattended, put it out
rather than risk a fire, if you do make a fireplace it may be
worth using stone if you have a ready supply, make a fireplace and
chimney from flat-sided rocks caulked with clay.
From: ccrafft@dnai.com