If you get trapped in a forest and you have no trekking kit or tent with you, then the first thing that will bother you is where to get shelter from. Obviously , you will have to look for a natural shelter to protect yourself from rain, cold and animals. Well, the ideal natural shelter in a deep forest is a cave. But, there are possibilities of having some wild animal inside it and if you donât find any cave then youâll have to make a shelter for yourself. It has to be made using stuff that is readily available in a jungle. You have no other choice.
Difficulty level: Moderate
To make a natural shelter one requires the basic knowledge of jungle survival techniques and elementary tit bits of types of natural shelters and general knowledge like tieing branches together, sharpening an edge of stone etc.
Time Required:
The estimated time required to make a natural shelter for a single person may be two to three hours. It may take few more hours if you are making for large number of people. The making time includes time in finding location where the shelter can be made, collection of branches, leaves and stones.
Resources Required:
1. Logs
2. Branches
3. Leaves
4. Vines
5. Twigs
6. Axe or knife
7. Sharpened stones
8. Cloth for tying
9. Grass
10. Strong young trees
Instructions:
Natural Shelter can be made in many ways. Let us first try to make the most simple one which lies on the ground. It doesnât require much effort so the person can save his energy for other physical activities.
1. First of all you will have to find the perfect location where there are two trees standing parallel to each other at about six feet . itâs applicable if you are making it for a single person. If there are more than one person then the distance between the two trees will depend on the number of persons.
2. Now join the two trees using a log or strong branch such that the branch lies perpendicular to both the trees and is at the height 6 feet above the ground. It will look like a gate if see it from far.
3. For making the further frame take a strong log and place it in such a fashion that one of itâs end touches the ground and the other one coincides with the joint where the tree makes a 90 degree angle with the first tied log. It will look like a triangle from side profile while its front view will be somewhat square or rectangle.
4. Repeat the same process on the other tree.
5. Keep long and strong branches horizontally as well as vertically on the logs which you tied in step 3 and 4 ( which are touching ground from one of their ends). It will look like a mesh. The basic frame of shelter is ready now.
6. Tie all the branches so that they donât move and shelter remains steady.
7. Place broad and big leaves , grass, twigs on the mesh starting from ground. It will form a staircase structure and will not allow water to get stuck on it. Three to four layering of covering must be needed . It should be covered very well that not even sunlight can enter inside.
8. Tie down the leaves, grass, twigs with branches so that they donât move away with heavy wind and rain.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. If you donât find two trees together then what?
In that case place a strong log of wood next to the tree you located and treat it like the second tree we used in our project. If you donât find any trees then you can place two logs next to each other parallel.
2. If you donât find any strong vines and no clothing piece what will you do?
Then you can tie the branches together by removing bark layers of branches.
3. If you donât have an axe or knife, how will you cut the branches and trees?
Well, then you can make an axe with a sharpened stone and log of wood, or you can use a sharp stone and sharp edged branch.
Quick Tips:
1. There should be atleast a little slope on the ground so that if it rains then water doesnât stay back. Locate it away from river and damped ground.
2. Consider the direction of the wind . it should not be blowing into the shelter.
3. Use fork shaped logs and branches to provide stronger frame.
Things to watch out for:
1. Frame should be strong enough to sustain the weight of other materials.
2. You must avoid ant and animal trails.
3. If you are lighting a bon fire, maintain safe distance.
