Top Five Survival Knots That Everyone Should Know

Bundle of brown rope

The most essential survival tool available to you today is knowledge. Expensive, all-weather sleeping bags, weather-proof rucksacks and boots that cost more than your TV are all well and good, but when it comes down to it, survival is about ‘knowing’ how to survive. As the famed survival instructor Mors Kochanski said: “the more you know, the less you have to carry”.

Granted, heading out into the wilderness in just your underpants is not something we’d recommend. But, having the fundamental knowledge of being able to build shelter, find food, start a fire and have access to clean drinking water are all essentials to have stored away in your memory. Part of this fundamental learning process should be for you to understand key knots and how to tie them.

Here, we take a look at five knots that are vital for survivalists to have under their belt!

Bowline

Bowline knot laying on a table
Image Source: NightHawkInLight

One of the sturdiest and strongest knots in the arsenal of a survivalist, the bowline knot is one that everyone should know. Its design means it can hold a lot of weight without the threat of untying, with the knot increasing in tightness the more pressure that is added.

Uses

A bowline can be used for a myriad of things, such as hanging objects and food from trees, or hanging things from your pack if you don’t have space inside, such as spare boots or cooking pots. If you’ve been hunting with your air rifle or a survival knife, you could also hang your catch from a tree to drain the blood and prepare it for cooking.

Additionally, the knot can be tied around oneself, even one-handed, which makes this one a useful style to have nailed down.

Disadvantages

When gravity is the sole force on the knot, such as things hanging straight down, then this is a great knot. However, when the bowline is pulled in a side-angled direction, it can loosen and potentially come undone.

Clove Hitch

Man tying clove hitch knot on wood
Image source: Jason Eke

Have you ever wondered how to make an effective fishing rod in the wild? Well, the clove hitch is what you’ll need. This particular knot is used to attach your rope or cord to another object, such as a long fishing pole. This is an effective knot and is super easy to tie.

Uses

Because the clove hitch can be adjusted without untying the knot, this makes it especially useful for raising or lowering heavy items. It could also be used for anchoring or creating a shelter.

Disadvantages

Much like you would check a tent when you’re camping, we’d suggest inspecting the knots regularly if you’re using them for a shelter for an extended period. Wind and rain may eventually loosen the tightness of the knots, so this is something to bear in mind. It’s also worth noting that the knot works best when there is constant pressure being applied, as this will keep it tight.

Half Hitch With/Without Bight

Man tying half hitch knot around a tree
Image Source: Nature Reliance

Have you ever wondered how to make an effective fishing rod in the wild? Well, the clove hitch is what you’ll need. This particular knot is used to attach your rope or cord to another object, such as a long fishing pole. This is an effective knot and is super easy to tie.

Uses

Because the clove hitch can be adjusted without untying the knot, this makes it especially useful for raising or lowering heavy items. It could also be used for anchoring or creating a shelter.

Disadvantages

Much like you would check a tent when you’re camping, we’d suggest inspecting the knots regularly if you’re using them for a shelter for an extended period. Wind and rain may eventually loosen the tightness of the knots, so this is something to bear in mind. It’s also worth noting that the knot works best when there is constant pressure being applied, as this will keep it tight.

Half Hitch With/Without Bight

Fishermans knot made from blue and red cord
Image Source: Nature Reliance

The fisherman’s knot is very good for a specific purpose: combining two separate pieces of cord or rope together without the risk of them untying. That being said, it serves this purpose extremely well and may help you out in a pinch!

Uses

The knot gets its name from the fact that this would often be the first one that anglers and fishermen would learn, as they would tie any loose pieces of line together and could also use it for attaching hooks to their line.

The knot doesn’t slip under strain either, making it good for climbing and the working ends can be cut close to the knot without the risk of failure, once the cord has been pulled tight.

Disadvantages

This knot is particularly difficult to untie, especially if you have cold or wet hands. In theory, this would be used as a permanent fixture rather than being something you may want to untie in the future.

Chain Sinnet

Chain sinnet knot made with yellow cord
Image Source: Richard Mcleod

The chain sinnet is not necessarily a knot, rather a way to store rope when not in use. But, it does involve arranging the cord in such a way that it becomes easily accessible and doesn’t tangle, so for that reason, we’ve included it.

Uses

As mentioned, the chain sinnet is perfect for storing rope or cord when not in use and allows you to easily access it whenever you need it, without having to unravel or untangle anything. You can also access as much as you like without having to unfurl all of the cord, meaning that any you don’t need will remain in the chain formation.

Disadvantages

Outside of being useful for storing string, cord and rope, the chain sinnet doesn’t really serve too much of a purpose in the wider survival community. That being said, it will make your life easier, so it’s not one to completely ignore!

For more tips on survival and wilderness skills, including how to fish with basic equipment, check out our survival blog here!

5 Tips To Learning About Outdoor Sports

Outdoor sports are not everyone’s cup of tea, most people prefer other sports. Learning a sport may be a little difficult because most people do not engage in them regularly. However, there are easy and fun ways you can learn about sports;

 

  1.       Look out for outdoor sport events near your area

Nowadays, lots of outdoor sport events are held, mostly in sports clubs, ranches, etc. The easiest way to find out about such events is through the internet, mostly social media platforms. This can be a great way to learn about these kind of sports especially because you will participate and a lot of people attend these kind of events. What’s more, there are usually multiple sports taking place with competition and this makes it even more fun.

 

  1.       Try enclosed outdoor sports first

Hiking, rock climbing, skydiving and the other outdoor sports don’t sound fun to some people. So, instead of going for the actual rock climbing -or any of the outdoor sports- try indoor rock climbing first. Although it may not provide the same experience as the actual rock climbing, it may just ignite the interest you never knew you had. Also, it is a fun and easier way to learn about the actual outdoor sports.

 

  1.       Visit an outdoor gear store

Most of these store owners are professionals so, this way you learn about both the sport and gear from an expert. Also, you may have wanted to get gear for an outdoor activity you are interested in, for example hunting. You learn about the gear you want in depth and specificity for instance; the best rifle for squirrel hunting or the best bow for deer hunting, etc.

  1.       Suggest outdoor sports to your friends

Instead of you and your friends going out next time, suggest that you go for a forest hike or for biking. It is even a lot more fun when with friends than strangers and the more you take part in them, the more you learn about them. Also, don’t go for the same sports every time, try different ones. As long as your friends are for it, you will actually want to engage in them as compared to when you are alone.

 

  1.       Browse the internet

When trying to learn, you can never go wrong with the internet. Even though participating may be an excellent way to learn about outdoor sports, you don’t have to go that way. You can browse the internet and get all the information you require about a particular outdoor sport. You even get to know about the best places and terrains to go for the sports and the safety measures and precautions to take. Afterward, you can engage in the sport whenever you have free time.

Outdoor sports can be hectic if not well prepared for. Preparation is not only physically, but also mentally. So, if you intent to fully engage in these kind of sports then prepare well and don’t forget to get in condition.