AGAINST ALL ODDS
All it takes to build
the frame of a classic
debris hut is a simple ridge
pole with dead wood stacked
against it. No tools required.
debris shelters Survival school
students gather debris
in their ponchos to be
> BY JEFF RANDALL dumped on top of completed
In past installments of “A” frame.
Against All Odds, we’ve
shown you how to make
shelters using your knife,
cordage, ponchos and
other materials.
A
nd while these are quick to build,
the only problem is that they
typically rely on a good bank-
ing fire to keep you warm during cold
nights. What happens if you wander off
or get lost without any survival tools
and the temperature is falling?
If you’re in a wilderness area that has
debris on the ground, such as a decidu-
ous (leaf shedding) forest, a coniferous a large squirrel or rat’s nest by stacking debris hut will also be waterproof even
(needle shedding) forest or even grass- debris around you to create an insulat- in the heaviest of downpours.
lands, a debris shelter can make the dif- ing effect from the dead air space. In And if you would rather the aver-
ference between living and dying when fact, if you build it right, the only room age person not see you, then a debris
the temperature drops below freezing. you will have inside your “nest” is just hut is the ticket, since they blend
Unlike most types of refuge, a debris enough to lie down and turn over. When nicely with the environment. I’ve
hut is built from what’s lying on the built in this fashion, your body heat will built them on the side of a trail and
ground, thus the reason for the name. warm the shelter nicely and keep you observed people walk right past and
Basically what you’re doing is building from freezing to death. A properly built never recognize them as being any-
20 S.W.A.T. » APRIL 2011 Copyrighted Material: Reprinted by Permission of SWAT Magazine SWATMAG.COM
thing other than the normal landscape. will be evenly distributed. Also, always Survival student Derrick Underwood
At this point, I’m sure a lot of you are try to break your sticks by placing them crawls feet first into his completed
debris hut. Leaves piled in front of door
thinking, “This is too good to be true. in a forked tree and pulling on one end.
will be pulled inside to seal off door
Without using tools, build a shelter that Never put them across a log and jump
opening.
keeps you warmer and safer than other on top of them—that’s an accident wait-
survival shelters. Show me.” ing to happen.
While there are many variations to Once you have your “A” Frame built,
these shelters, the classic debris hut is start gathering any leaves, straw, grasses
made by propping a ridge pole about or other soft debris on the ground and
crotch high against a tree, while allow- start piling them on top of the frame. If
ing the other end of the pole to touch you have a poncho or large jacket, you
the ground. The overall length should can place that on the ground, pile leaves
be slightly longer than your body when on top of it, then carry them to your Inside of properly built debris shelter.
lying under the ridge pole—make sure frame and dump them. Ideally, you need “Attic” stuffed with leaves increases
your feet have enough room to move about three feet of debris thickness to insulation. Photo: Joe Fowler
without touching the framework. After protect you down below freezing temps.
this, it’s just a matter of finding dead It doesn’t matter if the leaves you are
sticks, breaking them to length and then gathering are wet. In fact, wet leaves
stacking them against the ridge pole to seem to seal better when the rain starts.
build an “A” frame that’s a little wider Just keep in mind that the more debris
than your body. The side sticks don’t you pile on top and around the sides, the
need to go too far past the ridge pole, warmer the shelter will be.
since any stick that is too long can cause Once you have sufficient debris on
leaks if it’s sticking out of the debris. and around your frame, shove as much
When finding sticks on the ground, dry debris inside the shelter as you can,
remember that they only need to sup- while leaving yourself enough room
Adam Wood pours water on top of
port the debris you will be piling on to crawl inside. This will become your his freshly completed survival skills
top. They don’t have to be massive tele- “mattress” and help to insulate your challenge debris hut to verify that it’s
phone poles, since most of the weight body from the ground. You can also take waterproof. Photo: Adam Wood
22 S.W.A.T. » APRIL 2011 Copyrighted Material: Reprinted by Permission of SWAT Magazine SWATMAG.COM
AGAINST ALL ODDS
small sticks and place them sideways at
the peak of the roof to build an “attic”
to hold more leaves from the inside. The
point is that the more debris you can get
close to your body, the more dead air
space you are using as insulation.
Once you have everything finished
inside, gather enough debris to shut off
the opening once you crawl in. You can
even fabricate a door out of sticks that
will hold your leaves. Again, think of
a squirrel or rat’s nest when you build Joe Fowler puts finishing touches on debris hut built
a debris shelter. When you’re ready to for survival skills competition. Students were required
crawl inside and rest, do it feet first. to spend the night in their huts as well as pour five gallons
of water on top to verify proper build. Photo: Joe Fowler
When teaching this method to stu-
dents in my wilderness survival train- one man can easily build a great shelter the skill, practice the skill, and then store
ing courses, we always see concern in in about three hours. Not only will he be the knowledge away for the time you
their eyes when we finish up and ask protected from the cold without having may be working against all odds. £
them to crawl inside. The first question to build a fire, but snow, rain and other
we always get is, “What about bugs?” weather variables will not penetrate a [Jeff Randall has worked and traveled in
Answer: “Well, we won’t guarantee that properly built debris hut. Lastly, these China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singa-
you’ll be bug-free, but if the weather’s are not a one-time-use deal. Debris shel- pore, Switzerland, and nearly every Latin
cold enough to need this shelter, then ters can last for months (or years) with American country. He is the co-author of
most insects are gone. Of course your just a little maintenance, by replenishing the book Adventure Travel in the Third
other option is to let the SAR team find a the debris to make it good as new. World and is also an accomplished photog-
frozen, bug-free body.” In the end, the debris hut is truly a life- rapher. He considers the Amazon jungle his
I realizeCB_HP_SwatMag.pdf
debris shelters sound
1 like a lot
10/28/10 saving
4:52 PM device if you live, hunt, adven- second home. He can be contacted through
of work, but in a wooded or grassy area, ture or travel in colder climates. Learn www.jungletraining.com]
CM
MY
CY
CMY
24 S.W.A.T. » APRIL 2011 Copyrighted Material: Reprinted by Permission of SWAT Magazine SWATMAG.COM
