Log lashings

Lashings join sticks to make shelter frames, tripods for cooking or hanging water, stretchers, rafts, or tables. The wraps go around the sticks; the frapping turns go between the two sticks, around the wraps, and are what give firmness. Use thin rope (paracord or similar) and estimate generously: a well-made lashing uses several yards.

Square lashing

Joins two sticks that cross, normally at a right angle (shelter frame, table crosspiece).

1. Clove hitch on the vertical stick, just below the crosspiece.
2. Three wraps: over the crosspiece, behind the vertical, under the crosspiece, behind the vertical. Each wrap outside the previous one on the crosspiece and inside on the vertical. Keep tension.
3. Two frapping turns between the two sticks, around the wraps, pulled tight.
4. Finish with a clove hitch on the crosspiece.

Diagonal lashing

Joins two sticks that cross in an "X" and tend to spread apart (diagonal braces of a frame).

1. Timber hitch around both sticks, diagonally. When tightened, it pulls the sticks together.
2. Three wraps on that diagonal and then three on the other.
3. Two frapping turns between the sticks.
4. Clove hitch on one of the sticks to finish.

Tripod lashing

1. Lay out three sticks side by side, with the bases even.
2. Clove hitch on an outer stick, about 6 in (15 cm) from the tips.
3. 6 to 8 wraps around the three sticks, firm but not too tight; or woven in a figure eight between the sticks for more rigidity.
4. Two frapping turns between the center stick and each outer stick.
5. Finish with a clove hitch on the other outer stick.
6. To stand it up, cross the two outer sticks under the center one and spread the bases into a triangle.

Improvised stretcher

Moving an injured person the wrong way can make their injuries worse. Before moving them, read chapter 7 (when to move them, suspected spinal injury, how to carry them with several people). If there is no other option:

• With a blanket and two poles: spread out the blanket, place one pole lengthwise near the center, and fold half of the blanket over it; place the second pole on the folded part, as far from the first as the width of the person's back, and fold the free edge over it. The person's weight holds the fabric. Two or three buttoned shirts or jackets also work, with the poles passed through the sleeves.
• With rope and two poles: space the poles the width of the person's shoulders. Tie a clove hitch on one pole and pass the rope from one pole to the other in a zigzag, with a turn around each pole at each pass and little space between passes, along the whole length. Finish with a clove hitch. Put a blanket or sleeping bag on top.

• So it does not close up, tie a crosspiece at each end with a square lashing.
• Always test the stretcher with a healthy person before loading the injured one, and keep the knots away from the body.