You can use almost any type of material available for your insulation/
bedding, but be careful not to choose a poisonous plant such as poison ivy,
or anything that’s infested with insects that are likely to feast on you dur
ing the night. Be careful even when gathering materials (such as grass), as
you could be disturbing a poisonous snake or spider. Poke long grass with
a stick before reaching in with your bare hands.
Whatever you use for your insulation/bedding layer, you should use
much, much more than you think necessary. You might put down 6 inches
(15 cm) of spruce boughs or leaves and grass, but once you roll around on
them all night, they’ll flatten down to almost nothing and you’ll be lying
on the hard ground again before daylight.
Most people don’t change their bedding during a survival ordeal,
although changing it may not be a bad idea (provided you’ve got the
materials) if you’re stuck somewhere for a very long time. Regularly
replacing your bedding gives you a sense of pride in your surroundings,
a continued level of comfort, and keeps your mind occupied, satisfying
the allimportant psychological aspect of survival.
The Cree of northern Quebec have a weaving method for evergreen boughs that renders
their floor and bedding soft. They replace it often for freshness.
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