The basic knots to tie can be confusing to even the most seasoned survivalists, as know tying is a commonly undervalued piece of survival skill. I find this surprising because a simple knot can make the difference between failure & success in the wild, and sometimes between life & death.
2 Basic Knots to Tie in the Wild
A good knot can work in several situations, such as when working over water or performing first-aid. But of course, you must be able to tie correctly first. Below, we’ll look at two fundamental knots that you should know how to tie. These knots may come in handy when setting up your tent or make the entire difference in an SHTF scenario.
Reef Knot
The reef, also called square, is a classic knot, having existed for centuries. It is pretty popular too and is the first knot taught in boys scouts or cub scouts. Whether you want to secure a bundle of woods to carry or join two ropes together to make something longer, the reef is an easy, timeless knot to use.
A reef knot tied with cloth lies very flat & is therefore popularly used to tie bandages. It was called the Hercules knot by ancient Greece & remains popular in their medicines today. This knot can also be used to tie sashes & belts — I believe those who do martial arts should have seen the use of the knot in tying the belt.
How to Tie: As I said, this knot is easy to tie. To tie a decent reef knot, lap the right of your rope over the left & tie again in the reverse direction, thereby creating two entwined loops. This is really the simplest knot to tie.
Bowline
The bowline is used to make a loop at the end of a rope that never expands or shrinks. The knot is a prevalent rescue knot used for purposes like drawing out a person who may have fallen off a cliff or down a hole. The knot is usually big enough for the person to be rescued to wear it around him, after which he sits on the loop & holds the rope tight. This way, he can be easily pulled up.
How to Tie: Create a loop at the long end of the rope. Pass the other free end through the formed loop & then around the rope. Still holding this free end, bring it to pass in the loop, ensuring to maintain the secondary loop, which is the “bowline loop.”
A common analogy to understand the tying of this knot is that of the rabbit coming out of its hole, passing in front of the tree, passing the back of the tree & then returning to its hole. If you can visualize this, then you get how to tie the knot.
Concluding The Knots to Tie in the Wild
These basic knots to tie in the wild can be extremely helpful, regardless of how simple it is to set them up. Practice the thing of these knots at home before hitting the wild. There are even several uses of these knots at home. So, go on tying your way to expertise.