Learn the basics of building a one-man rubble hut as a shelter for outdoor camping adventures and survivalist training.

A rubble hut is one of the easiest types of survival shelters to build when you are camping. The reason for this is that apart from a few simple tools you can take all your building materials to survive the surrounding area. Building a rubble hut is also something you can do in a relatively short period of time so that you can have safe shelter in case you unexpectedly have to set up camp due to bad weather.

How to Make a Rubble Hut for One Person

To make an efficient shelter as part of your survival training you need to have long sturdy branches. Typically, if you are making an outdoor survival shelter for just one person, you will only want to find a piece of wood that is about 1.5 times as high. This allows sufficient coverage at both ends of the shelter, but also makes getting in and out of the survival shelter easier than if you made your rubble hut 2 times your length. You’ll also use your own body heat for warmth so the closer the shelter is to your measurements, the better. You may be lucky in finding the fallen branches, but you will most likely need to cut the branches with a survival knife to create the main support beam for your survival shelter.

Creating a stable foundation for your rubble hut

After you collect the main branches, you have to support them. Be sure to set the branches at a height of about two to three inches above the top of your head when you are sitting. You can crown branches between two trees, or use natural formations such as rock outcrops. You want these branches to be secure so that you can stud shorter branches, dead leaves, branches from green trees and other insulation material against and above. Once your foundation is in place, then you can start the real work of building your outdoor survival shelter. Use materials such as dead leaves, tree branches, grass, and to make a thick cover for your debris shelter. Ideally you want to make a 3 foot high material cover that sits in a cross hatch pattern to create a sturdy shelter that will keep wind and rain from entering your space. Secure the finish using your survival knife to cut the green branches to hold the debris in place.

Make Floors and Doors for Your Survival Shelter

To stay warm and dry, you will also need to create a floor for your survival shelter. Usually pine and grass make good insulation floors, along with leaves and dry. A layer of debris one foot deep will usually suffice, but you want to make sure that the material you use is dry because your body heat and the tight confines of the shelter will not allow excess air movement and drying. You will also need a door for your survival shelter. You can leave both ends open or cover one of them with cross-hatched debris. However, to really secure your surroundings, you’ll want to use the larger green branches by cutting them off with your survival knife so they can be easily moved to cover the opening to your shelter, as well as entry camouflage. Now you are ready for an outdoor adventure!

Recommended Posts