I started my wilderness journey in the scouts, learning outdoor basics. Now, after years of courses, solo trips, and work as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), I’m sharing what I know about emergency shelters.. Let’s talk about the best bug-out bag items for these life-saving structures.
Why bother with emergency shelters?
It’s -20°C on a winter camping trip in Canada. I’m snug in my tent, grateful for my gear. That night drove home how critical emergency shelters are when things get rough.
Good shelters shield you from nasty weather, keep you warm, and give you a sense of safety when everything’s gone sideways. Whether it’s freezing cold, pouring rain, or blistering heat, a solid shelter can save your skin.
Back in my scout days, we’d practice shelter-building. I remember learning to set up a big canvas tent for six of us one summer. Not exactly an emergency shelter, but it taught me about teamwork and staying dry.
Must-have Bug-Out Bag Items for Shelter Building
Here’s what I always pack:
- Tarp: This is your Swiss Army knife of shelter-building. Light, packable, and crazy versatile. On a rainy canoe trip up the Yukon River, my tarp was a lifesaver. It gave us a dry spot to start a fire and cook, keeping spirits high when conditions were lousy.
- Paracord: strong, light, and useful for a million things beyond shelter-building. I’ve used it to rig tarps, make guy lines, and even as a makeshift clothesline. Those knot-tying lessons from scouts really paid off later.
- Multi-tool: Worth its weight in gold out there. From cutting cord to making tent stakes, a good multi-tool does it all. On a solo trip in my twenties, mine saved the day when I had to patch a torn tent. Kept me dry all night in a downpour.
- Lightweight Tent: Not always needed if you’ve got a tarp, but great for harsh weather. During an adventure tourism course in Canada, we camped in -20°C. A good tent was the difference between a tough night and a dangerous one.
- Emergency Blanket: AKA space blanket. Use it as ground cover, extra insulation, or part of your shelter. Wilderness first aid training taught me how these can prevent hypothermia. They reflect up to 90% of body heat—pretty impressive for something so small and light.
Additional Shelter Gear for Survival Situations
- Folding Saw: This little beast is a real lifesaver for shelter-building, especially when you’re surrounded by trees. Trust me, when you need to cut branches for your framework or gather firewood, you’ll be glad you brought this instead of just a knife. I’ll never forget the time I used mine to make a bow drill for fire starting during a wilderness survival course—talk about a versatile tool!
- Tent Stakes: You can make them from sticks, but having a few light aluminum ones saves time and energy. In scouts, we’d often forget or lose stakes and have to improvise. Good skill to have, but proper stakes make life easier.
- Survival Knife: I can’t overstate how useful a good fixed-blade knife is. From cutting cord to basting wood for shelter poles, it’s a must-have. My knife’s been with me on countless adventures, always earning its keep.
- Bivvy Sack: Works as a minimalist shelter or extra protection inside a bigger setup. Doesn’t take up much space but can be a game-changer. During winter camping in Canada, it gave me an extra warmth boost inside my sleeping bag.
- Poncho: Doubles as a mini-tarp for shelter and keeps you dry when worn. I’ve used ponchos as quick shelters during surprise storms on day hikes. Great multi-use item.
Emergency Shelter-Building Techniques
With these items, you can build several types of shelters. Here are two I’ve used a lot:
A-Frame Shelter
- Find a 2-meter branch for the ridge pole.
- Prop it against a tree or make an “A” frame with two shorter branches.
- Lay smaller branches along the sides to create a frame.
- Cover with your tarp and secure with paracord.
- Use the emergency blanket as ground cover inside.
I learned this during a survival course and have used it many times since. Quick to set up and good protection from rain and wind.
Lean-To Shelter
- Secure a long branch between two trees or props.
- Lean shorter branches against it to make a slanted roof.
- Cover with your tarp and tie it down tight.
- Use leaves, pine needles, or your emergency blanket for ground insulation.
This saved my bacon during a solo trip when a storm hit unexpectedly. Kept me dry all night.
Adapting to Different Environments
Different places need different approaches:
Forests
- Use natural materials like branches and leaves to beef up your shelter.
- Watch out for dead branches overhead when choosing your spot.
In thick forests, I often use fallen leaves and pine needles as insulation under my shelter. Comfy and helps keep heat in.
Mountains
- Focus on wind and cold protection.
- Use snow blocks for windbreaks if you can.
- Make sure your shelter entrance isn’t facing the wind.
I learned this the hard way during winter camping in Canada. A well-placed entrance makes a huge difference in keeping warm.
Deserts
- Shade is key during the day, insulation at night.
- Try to get your shelter off the hot ground.
- Use your emergency blanket to reflect heat.
I haven’t spent tons of time in deserts, but these tips were drilled into us during survival training. Desert temps swing wildly, so you need to be ready for anything.
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
One of the biggest lessons from my wilderness training: practice, practice, practice. I remember a weekend course where we had to build emergency shelters and sleep in our own shelters. One guy’s shelter half collapsed in the night—a wake-up call about why you need to know this stuff.
Try building shelters in your backyard or on casual camping trips. The more you work with your gear, the better prepared you’ll be when it really counts.
In scouts, we’d have races to see who could set up their tent fastest. Fun then, but it taught us to be quick and efficient—skills that could save your life in a pinch.
First Aid and Shelter
My time as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) taught me to think about first aid when building shelters. Keep in mind:
- Easy access for giving first aid
- Protection from the elements for treating injuries
- Room to lay someone flat for CPR if needed
Always pack a good first aid kit with your shelter gear.
During EMT training, we practiced emergency care in makeshift shelters. Really showed how important it is to have a stable, protected space for medical stuff in the wild.
The Mental Game
People often forget the psychological boost of a good shelter. During my Adventure Tourism Course in Canada, we talked a lot about the mental side of survival and how emergency shelters play an important role.
A solid shelter can be a huge morale booster in a crisis. It gives you a sense of control when everything else is in chaos. I’ve felt this firsthand on tough expeditions. Even in nasty conditions, a well-built shelter can be your safe haven, helping you keep it together mentally.
Getting Creative with Your Gear
Over time, I’ve learned to use my bug-out bag items in creative ways:
- Collect rainwater with your tarp
- Signal for help by reflecting sunlight with your emergency blanket.
- Dry wet gear on a paracord clothesline
- Make a stretcher from your tarp and strong branches.
On one tough hike, I rigged my tarp to collect rainwater. That bit of improvisation kept us hydrated for the rest of the trip.
Advanced Emergency Shelter Considerations
As you get more experienced with shelter building, you’ll start to pick up on some finer points that can make a big difference:
Site Selection
Choosing the right spot for your shelter is half the battle. Look for:
- Natural windbreaks like large rocks or dense bushes
- Slightly elevated ground to avoid water pooling
- Proximity to resources like water and wood
I once made the mistake of setting up camp in a small depression. I woke up in a puddle after a light rain. Lesson learned!
Insulation
In cold environments, insulation is key. Some tips:
- Create a thick bed of dry leaves or pine needles under your shelter.
- Use your backpack or extra clothing to insulate yourself from the ground.
- In snow, dig out a pit in your shelter to trap warm air.
During a winter survival course, we built quinzees (snow mound shelters). The insulating properties of snow are amazing when used right.
Ventilation
It might seem counterintuitive, but good airflow in your shelter prevents condensation and keeps you drier. Always leave a small opening for air circulation, even in cold weather.
Fire Placement
If you’re using a fire with your shelter:
- Build it at the entrance of your shelter, not inside.
- Use a reflector wall behind the fire to direct heat into your shelter.
- Be mindful of wind direction to avoid smoke filling your shelter.
I’ve spent many comfortable nights with this setup, even in pretty rough weather.
Long-Term Emergency Shelters
If you’re stuck in one place for a while, you might want to build something more substantial. Here are some tips for longer-term shelters:
- Use larger logs or branches for a stronger framework.
- Create a slightly sloped roof for better water runoff.
- Build up walls with debris or woven branches for better insulation.
- Consider digging out the floor slightly to increase interior space.
During my Adventure Tourism Course, we spent several nights building and living in these kinds of shelters. It’s amazing how comfortable you can get with a little ingenuity and elbow grease.
Urban Survival Shelters
Not all survival situations happen in the wilderness. In urban environments, shelter-building takes on a different form:
- Look for abandoned buildings or sturdy structures.
- Use debris like cardboard or plywood to create makeshift walls.
- Always prioritize safety; avoid unstable structures.
My EMT training included some urban disaster scenarios. It really opened my eyes to how different (and sometimes trickier) city survival can be.
Teaching Others
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been passing on what I’ve learned. Whether it’s teaching scouts or guiding wilderness trips, helping others learn these skills is incredibly satisfying.
Some tips for teaching shelter-building:
- Start with the basics and build up.
- Encourage hands-on practice.
- Make it fun—set up competitions or challenges.
- Emphasize the “why” behind different techniques.
I still remember the pride on my students’ faces when they successfully built their first shelter. It’s a great feeling.
Survival Skills For The Real World
Knowing how to build emergency shelters with the right bug-out bag items can be a lifesaver in the wilderness. From my early scout days to advanced training in Canada, I’ve learned that being prepared and practicing are key.
The best emergency shelter is one you can build fast and well with what you’ve got. Pack smart, practice often, and stay safe out there.
My journey from a kid biking around the docks to a wilderness survival practitioner and emergency medical responder has shown me just how valuable these skills are. Whether you’re an old hand at outdoor stuff or just starting out, I hope these tips help you on your adventures and keep you safe if things go sideways.
Stay prepared, be vigilant, and keep learning. The skills you pick up now might just save your life down the road.
Remember, nature can be tough, but with the right knowledge and gear, you can face those challenges head-on. Every time you practice these skills, you’re not just setting up a shelter—you’re building confidence, self-reliance, and a deeper connection with the natural world.
So next time you’re packing for a trip, think about your shelter strategy. What will you bring? How will you use it? And most importantly, how can you practice and improve your skills? The wilderness is waiting, and with these tools in your bug-out bag and knowledge in your head, you’re ready for whatever adventure comes your way.
