A Quick and Easy-to-Build Emergency Shelter

Probably the most common, easy, and effective emergency survival shelter is the A-frame. As long as you have your tarp, you can construct an A-frame shelter in a matter of minutes.

 

1. Tie some cord between two trees, drape the tarp over the line, and tie down the corners. If you don’t have any rope (or didn’t follow my advice and don’t have a tarp), you can still set up an A-frame shelter with relative ease. Use 2 sticks to construct an A shape, then use a longer branch that runs from the top of the A to the ground.

2. For extra security, make a few smaller A-frames along the length of the longer branch to help support it.

3. Cover it with your tarp, bark, or brush the same way you made your lean-to. A-frames using a tarp are especially versatile because you can build them close to the ground or suspend them for use with a survival hammock.