Portable and collapsible support structures and related methods

A method of assembling a portable and collapsible load bearing structure to an extended load bearing configuration from a collapsed configuration, comprising:

• providing a portable and collapsible load bearing structure in a collapsed configuration including a plurality of securing elements that secure said portable and collapsible load bearing structure in said collapsed configuration;
• unstacking and separating said portable and collapsible load bearing structure into a first, second, and third plurality of folded rail segments and a plurality of support segments;
• extending and securing said first, second, and third plurality of folded rail segments to create a first, second and third collapsible rails;
• placing each of said first, second and third collapsible rails into such a location that they are parallel with each other;
• placing or sliding each of said plurality of support segments onto said first, second and third collapsible rails in such a position that said plurality of support segments can support a human-shaped load;
• adjusting the positions to accommodate a specific human-shaped load;
• securing said plurality of support segments in place;
• and
• placing said human-shaped load onto said portable and collapsible load bearing structure.