How to Make a Bed out of Cordage and Wood
You can make a rudimentary rope bed in the field as long as you have ample wood, cordage and a chisel or survival knife. This can be one of the most-beneficial tricks that you can learn, because it keeps you off the ground and allows you to have a more comfortable night’s sleep. Take a look at the general instructions below, and see how easy it is to improvise and improve on the basic idea.
Getting Started
This project involves a lot of cordage or rope. You will need to lash together two tripods as well as the frame of the bed. You will also need material to make the webbing for the bed as well. However, there are a number of ways that you can conserve your cordage. Take some time to learn about different lashing techniques or how you can use forest material to secure some of the connections together.
The first step is to gather six sturdy branches that are at least four feet tall. They should also be around two inches in diameter. These will serve as the tripods that will support the bed frame. Secure three branches at the top with the cordage and extend and secure the legs to the ground. Place one of the tripods to the head of your bed, and put the other one where the foot will be. Remember to space them so they will be far enough apart to accommodate your height and the space between the tripods and the bed frame.
Building the Frame
The next step is to choose two long and thick branches for the sides of the frame and two shorter ones for the head and foot. Try to make your bed around three feet wide in order to provide you with minimal room to settle in for sleep. It’s also important to remember that we often extend our arms or stretch during sleep, and this makes us taller. Plan on getting branches that are around six feet long whenever possible. While you can curl yourself up and fit into a smaller bed, your sleep will be more restful and productive if you are able to stretch out.
Once you’ve determined the dimensions of the frame and you have your wood, lash the ends together accordingly. Consider cleaning the wood to remove any protrusions that may poke, stab or scratch you as you lay in the bed, particularly on the branches along the side of the frame.
The next step is to cut notches that are spaced about four inches apart along the tops of each side piece. Align them so the gashes are lined up from side to side. These will be used to help anchor the webbing in place and prevent your cordage from sliding and bunching up as you sleep. While this isn’t a required step, it may be worth the effort to make the notches to keep everything secure.
Finally, connect the frame to the inside of the tripod on each end of the bed at a height that suits your needs. Position the tripods so that the third leg is extending outward and the main legs are straddling the frame. Remember that the size of the tripod will correspond with the size of the frame, and you will need longer branches for the tripod to support bigger frames.
Making the Webbing
The last step is to create the webbing. You have a lot of leeway in terms of how much cordage to use, but the more the better. Attach three pieces, evenly spaced, to the head and foot of the frame. Secure them in the notches or by tying them off, but make sure there’s as taut as possible.
Then, start attaching the cordage on the frame by securing one end to one notch on one of the side branches. Take the free end and loop it around each of the longer cords that are already attached. This will create a horizontal and vertical link that will help to keep the netting secure and minimize tangling.
Repeat the process for each of the connections until you’ve reached the end.
All you need to do now is check that the tripods are stable and that the lashing at all the connecting points is secure. Get on the bed and test the height and quality of the netting, and make adjustments as necessary. Now you’re good to go, and this whole project can be completed in less than 30 minutes under the right circumstances. Try it for yourself and see how having this skill can improve the quality of your sleep during a wilderness survival situation.
