What to Do When There Is No Shelter

You were forced to flee into an unfamiliar area and are now caught between a rock and a hard place. Evening time is near and it's getting cold. You know you won't survive the evening without some sort of shelter. What do you do?

The first thing you should do is look for places provided by nature that provide shelter. You should look for these features:

         Caves.
         Large rocks leaning against one another with enough room for you to build a shelter.
         Higher ground (low areas tend to collect cold air).
         Large trees with dense branches.
         Large trees with a lot of big branches in which you could build a bed that would keep you off the ground.
         Dense brush.

If you can't find suitable shelter, you're going to have to build it. Prolonged exposure to the elements can lead to fatigue and eventually death.

You're going to need to pick a good site—and fast. Look for a location that has the materials you need to build the shelter close by and make sure you're protected from as many angles as possible. You're going to want at least one escape route you can use in case you're discovered.

If you simply need a shelter that'll get you out of the sun or protect you from sun, wind or light rain, you can use a rope and a tarp strung between two trees. Weight the bottom of the tarp with rocks and angle it so you're protected from the elements. Alternatively, you can anchor it to the ground using tent stakes.

If you're in a wooded area, you can build a lean-to by cutting down branches and building a lattice with them. Tie the cross-members to the supports with string or rope. Now cover the lattice framework with brush and branches. Lean the latticework against a couple trees for support.

No matter what sort of shelter you build, you're going to want to cover the ground so you don't lose precious body heat. Pine needles and leaves make a good ground cover and will help you stay warmer.

If you're in a sandy area, dig a long trench into the sand. Lay a tarp across the trench and use rocks (if you can find them) to anchor the tarp down. Don't worry if you can't find any rocks. You can pile sand on the edges of the tarp to hold it in place. Just be aware the tarp may be more susceptible to blowing away if it gets windy.

Those caught in the snow should avoid blindly running around in a snowstorm. Find a tree and dig down to the dirt next to the tree. Lay down leaves, grass or pine needles, so you're not sitting on exposed ground. Lay branches over the top of the hole you've dug. If you have other people with you, huddle together to stay warmer.

Keep your eyes peeled for abandoned structures and buildings. An old service shed in the middle of nowhere may be the difference between death from exposure and making it through the night.