1. Lay the largest end of the 1st course 30" apart at the doorway. Lay the inside edges of the other end/foot end 8" apart. Lay the 12" long 1" cross support limb (item 7) across the top of the two ribs just beyond the feet to stabilize the next course of horizontal ribs.

2. Hammer the pointed end of item 9 vertically into the ground at the doorway end and on the outside edge of the first course to keep the rib from pushing out from the load of the ribs above.

3. Install the A-Frame (item 1) by pushing the pointed ends into the ground against the inside edges of the first course 36" in from the door entrance. The ribs will help hold the A-Frame in place. The forked ends eliminate the need for tying with string.

4. For cold weather, lay the outside ribs of course 1 at least 2" from the inside course and stuff the space in between with leaves. Cover the top of the ribs with leaves for sealing next course.

5. Lay the 2nd course on top of the first course with cross supports at feet item 7. Gravity holds the ribs against the A-Frame.

6. Lay the 3rd course on top of the 2nd course with cross supports at feet item 7 five feet from the doorway.

7. Lay the 4th course on top of the 3rd course.

8. Install the 24" long 5th course on top of the 4th course next to the A-Frame that provides enough room for occupant to turn over inside debris hut.

9. Cover the hut with the first layer of roof ribs. Be sure to bed the ends of the ribs in debris so heated air does not leak out around ends.

10. For cold weather applications, cover roof sticks with 4" of debris and the second layer of roof ribs to compress air out of debris.

11. Optional: Add more debris for rain proofing and insulation. Stack limbs behind 1st course & door seal leaf retainer posts [item 9].

This is photo shows roof with rain cover of leaves.

12. Remove four roof supports over doorway to expose leaves over entryway. Stack roof supports over threshold. Wedge the 4 door bundles in doorway. Pull leaves through opening in roof and pack against door bundles to desired depth [12" - 24"]. This entryway and door can be used as an add on to the vertical rib debris hut. Install the A-Frame 30" in front of the vertical rib debris hut ridge pole support. Install Item 9 first course & door seal leaf retainer posts. Cover entryway with horizontal ribs and roof ribs. Install the leaf retaining limbs.

Photo of roof ribs removed and placed over threshold and 4 door bundles.

Photo of door with four door bundles in place with leaves from roof stacked behind. Roof removed to show door construction.

11. Picture of inside of debris hut.

12. Photo of forked ends of A-Frame

Conclusion

The horizontal rib debris hut has significant advantages over the vertical debris hut. I assume the reason it's not utilized as the standard design is that the horizontal ribs from dead fall is not available in most locations. However, the importance of shelter in survival situations makes awareness of this design useful. The area I live has had three successive dry summers that has killed a lot of young trees which probably accounts for the abundance of material available for the horizontal debris hut ribs. In the deciduous forest I live in, I found many areas that have all the ribs needed within a ¼ acre that could be collected in a few minutes for the debris hut.

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Survival Shelter Debris Huts Cordage Furniture

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