Construct effective shelters from natural and improvised materials in any environment.
Shelter is your first line of defense against exposure. In extreme conditions, you can survive only 3 hours without shelter. Knowing how to build an emergency shelter from natural materials is a fundamental survival skill. This guide covers location selection, material gathering, frame construction, insulation, and bedding — everything you need to create a shelter that will keep you warm and dry in any environment.
Step 1 of 6
Find a flat, dry area protected from wind. Avoid low spots where water pools, dead branches overhead, and animal trails.
Important Warning
Never build under dead trees or branches — they can fall without warning.
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