How to Make a Rope Ladder

Knowing how to make a rope ladder is a skill that can come in handy when participating in outdoor activities like boating and hiking. Additionally, they may be used as an emergency resource where traditional ladders are unavailable, impractical, or unwieldy.

 Steps

1. 

   Set the rope down on a flat surface and form it into a "U" shape.
   Set the rope down on a flat surface and form it into a "U" shape. Take hold of the rope on the end of the right side of the "U" and slide your hand down the rope to measure out 1 foot (0.3 m) of rope.
2. 2
   

   Position the rope between your two hands into an "S" shape.
   Position the rope between your two hands into an "S" shape. Bring your hands together to squish the "S" down horizontally.
3. 3
   

   Make the first rung of the ladder by taking the left end of the rope and threading it through the first, left bend of the "S.
   Make the first rung of the ladder by taking the left end of the rope and threading it through the first, left bend of the "S." Bring the end of the rope under the bottom curve, wrapping it around the whole "S" four times. Feed the end of the rope through the second, right bend of the "S" to secure the tie and complete the first rung.
4. 4
   

   Create a second 1 foot long (0.
   Create a second 1 foot long (0.3 meters) "S" shape and repeat the process of stringing the other end of rope through the first curve of the S, wrapping it around the "S" four times, and tying it off through the second curve of the "S."
5. 5
   

   Repeat this as many times as you need to create the rope ladder to your desired length.
   Repeat this as many times as you need to create the rope ladder to your desired length.

 Tips

• Tie small weights (5 pounds/2.3 kg) to each leg of the bottom of your ladder to keep it from swaying too much when you are climbing on it.
• Be sure to construct your rope ladder out of rope that is sturdy enough to hold a person's weight. Most rope purchased at a store will display the maximum load weight on the packaging. If you are using nylon rope and are unsure of the weight limit, measure the diameter of the rope. Nylon rope that is 5/16 inch (8 mm) in diameter will hold about 190 pounds (86.2 kg). Rope that is 3/8 inch (10 millimeters) in diameter will hold about 270 pounds (122.5 kg).
• Consider using glow-in-the-dark rope if you are building a ladder as an emergency device. This will be easier to find at night or in a dark room.
• Use a long piece of rope to make your rope ladder to ensure that you have enough length. You can always cut off the excess rope when you are finished making your rope ladder.

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