5 Useful Knots To Know For Everyday Or Survival Situations

Pretty much all of us know how to tie a simple knot. We’ve tied our shoes and knotted ribbons onto gifts, but there are several types of knots out there that are important to know. A properly tied knot is an essential tool for survival, and everybody should know the different ways one can be tied.

Tying a knot might not be the first thing you’d associate with a life or death situation, but knowing how to tie these different types of knots may just come in handy someday.

No, you probably won’t ever be stuck on a deserted island fighting for survival, but yes, you may have to tie a knot while doing everyday activities such as fishing or rock climbing.

This video from Instructables.com gives a simple tutorial for tying five essential knots. These knots can be used in a wide range of outdoor situations from setting up a hammock to tying a canoe to shore.

The knots are broken down into the following five types:

1. 0:14 – Figure 8 Knot

This knot is commonly used as a stopper knot to prevent rope or line from separating.

2. 0:40 – Overhand Loop Knot

This knot forms a fixed loop within a rope, making it commonly used for attaching clips or hooks during rock climbing.

3. 1:13 – Reef Knot

This knot takes on the shape of a square, and is commonly used for reefing sails.

4. 1:43 – Sheet Bend

This knot, commonly known as the weaver’s knot, can be used to secure two ropes together.

5. 2:15 – Clove Hitch

This knot can be used to latch onto another object, and can be adjusted to be tightened or loosened as preferred.

Photo by ArminFlickr