Survival Shelters

A Frame Survival Shelter (Summer)

A Frame Shelter Design Philosophy

The standard A-frame shelter is designed with simplicity using only the materials available to you. It is also designed for insulating and protecting your body in a minimal amount of space. And for a low profile situation such as escape and evasion as well as surviving behind enemy lines.

As with all shelters the time and effort you put into it is up to you and you can always add to it. The following shelter is designed with extra effort and design elements in order to ensure optimal protection. However, the design can always be improved upon.

Construction

To begin, find two limbs approximately 4’ to 5’ long and about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Pound them into the ground approximately 4’ apart and at an angle so that the top 5 or 6 inches of each limb crosses the other one. This should look like an upside down “V” only at the top where the limbs cross each other they should extend that extra 5 or 6 inches creating a natural bracket for the main support to rest. Find some vine or string and lash the two limbs together where they meet at the top.

Top Bracing

Procure an 8 to 10 foot long limb approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter and as straight as possible. Rest one end in the bracket created by the A-frame and rest the other end on the ground. Begin leaning 2 to 3 inch diameter limbs against the main top support at an angle that mimics the angle of your original A-frame. Be sure to cut these limbs to the proper length as you make your way to the end of the main support where it rests on the ground. When finished, you should have a triangular shaped cocoon with an “A” shaped opening at the front.

Walls And Insulation

Now gather branches and limbs that are covered with pine needles or leaves and lay those on top of your shelter. Like the shingles on a roof, start at the bottom and thatch them like shingles to the peak. This will help keep out rain and snow. Layer the branches and leaves as thick as you can and when this is finished gather debris and covered the shelter with the debris. The extra debris will further shed rain and snow as well as add to the insulating factors.

A Little More Detail About The Structure

There should be a support stick at the front of the structure which is also tied in with some vine. This will help support much of the load that will be placed at the front of the structure and keep the shelter from falling forward. Additionally, you need to make sure that the limbs that are leaning against the main top support are angled upward towards the peak of the shelter. In order to add strength and durability, lash these limbs to the main support limb.

Additional Security

The addition of standing branches and twigs will aid in camouflaging the shelter as well as further protection from the elements. This is a very good shelter to have in an emergency situation. If properly executed, the shelter can also hide you during an escape and evasion situation.

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