Many men learn how to tie knots when they are younger, especially if they spent any time with the Boy Scouts. Additionally, learning to tie rope is an essential skill of many professions and hobbies, like firefighting or rock climbing. However, as a survivalist, you should also take a keen interest in tying knots because it might save your life one day. There are at least five knots every survivalist should know and have memorized.
1. FIGURE-EIGHT: THE ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL KNOT
The figure-eight knot is the foundational knot. It provides a base for building other popular life-saving knots, but that doesn’t mean it is quite capable on its own. From the traditional figure-eight knot, you can make the figure-eight follow-through which is ideal for securing anything to the end of a rope, even yourself. In fact, the figure-eight knot is used by mountain climbers to ensure they do not rappel off the end of the rope.
Additionally, using a similar method for creating the figure eight, you can also make the figure eight on a bight. This particular knot helps create a hand or foothold in the rope, and it can do so while maintaining 85% of the rope’s strength. You can use this knot to attach multiple objects to a single rope or to create climbing holds.
2. THE TRUCKER’S HITCH: HIGH TENSION AND EFFICIENCY
When you are out in the wilderness, and the weather picks up, you will need to tie down your supplies and build a shelter; the trucker’s hitch knot is one of the most secure knots for heavy loads. This knot is handy for tying things down to the roof of your car or securing a tarp for shelter in gale-force winds.
The knot allows you to create high tension on the working end of the rope by cinching down. It is incredibly adaptable and will work for securing various-sized loads. The trucker’s hitch is likely one of the most useful knots in survival situations.
3. THE CLOVE HITCH KNOT: ADJUSTABLE AND PERFECT FOR MAKESHIFT SITUATIONS
Survival situations often leave you wanting shelter or escape. Building a shelter without modern tools, nails, and screws means you will need to tie things together. The clove hitch knot is the perfect knot. As an adjustable knot, you can secure multiple items together and readjust the tightness as you go. Because of the versatility of the knot, you can use it to build not only shelters but rafts.
4. SHEET BEND KNOT: THE KEY TO UNENDING LENGTHS OF ROPE
Sometimes, you will need to tie multiple lengths of rope together to form one great length of rope. While not all knots are capable of adjoining multiple ropes securely, the sheet bend knot is different. This backcountry knot can tie two ropes of differing sizes together without slipping or failing. It is also quick to tie, making it perfect for spontaneous situations.
5. THE BOWLINE: THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL KNOT
Look no further than the bowline if you are looking for a dependable, versatile, and useful knot. The bowline is easy to tie, will not cinch, and it will never slip. You can tie it around or through something. You can even tie it one-handed and quickly. It is ideal for everything from building shelter to establishing a bear hang for your food. Finally, it is easy to tie and untie.
Survival knots come in all shapes and sizes, and there are more than the five mentioned above. What is your favorite knot? Leave a comment below.