Rappelling for Beginners: Bowline VS Figure 8.

Which knot is right for you? Is one safer?...easier?...more useful...better for beginners or advanced?.... When the figure 8 vs bowline is compared, which one comes out on top? Check it out and let me know what you think.

You might also be interested in these videos:
Rappelling for Beginners: Build Confidence with a simple rappel.
Rappelling for Beginners: Munter Hitches
Rappelling for Beginners: Prusiks

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Adventures In Reach (AIR) hopes to expand what adventures are possible for you, teach the skills to help make that happen, inspire you to get out of a rut, and increase your confidence outdoors. We encourage you to challenge yourself and try something new, from a backyard adventure to an expedition. Although all outdoor adventures are fair game, AIR generally focuses on small sailboat or Sunfish sailboat sailing and camping, rappelling, knots, ropes, hammock camping, outdoor adventures with dogs, compass orienteering, canoeing, wilderness travel, outdoor gear, camping, hiking, and cold weather camping and survival.

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#mostusefulknot #figure8knot #figureeightknot #bowline #bowlineknot

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[CandC]

A friend once showed me how to tie a bowline with one hand. Some situations could make that handy. Love to see a video for emergency tricks like that.

[jagerman]

I’d say the biggest issue for me is not spending enough time on the bowline family. It is a deficit, but some of that is just due to lack of good videos when I was learning early on. Guess it’s time to rectify

[nunyabizness]

If I'm climbing with people who aren't as familiar with knots, figure 8 all the way, otherwise it's a bowline with a Yosemite finish followed up with a ladder knot for the tag end. Like you said, a weighted figure 8 can be a bear to undo, and I've seen cases where, due to equipment failure, they had to switch the line they were tied in to, and they couldn't undo the figure 8. Regardless of the fall or load, I've never had that issue with a properly tied bowline.

A lot of people dismiss the bowline because they can check a figure 8 in 5 seconds... if you're only spending 5 seconds doing a safety check, you shouldn't be climbing.

[eturnerx]

A looks like a bowline on a bite. B is a cowboy bowline because the tag end is outside the loop. C is correct (tag inside). D is weird maybe a figure 8 with an incomplete folowthrough, E is figure 8 on a bite. F is an overhand on a bite. Point taken on ID times, it took me a couple of watches - except for the figure 8 and overhand loop. I've heard a bit of controversy about the cowboy bowline because the tag might get caught up and bowlines are vulnerable at the tag end.

[shocktroop]

I think A, C, D, and E are correct. Cool video, thanks for making it!

[helm]

B? and E, With the Figure 8 its easy with the 2, 2, 2 quick look to tell if its right. its what i always use not as much with the Bowline knot for me.

[andreaspeper]

Either show a safe to use (locked) bowline or not bother at all. The comparison you make is an artificial one (just to prove a point) ..
Nobody is advocating for the plain bowline to be used in rescue and climbing.

[newgunguy]

A, B and C are three different types of bowlines. As a window cleaner, I've used A many times for anchoring my ropes without carabiners. D and E are two different types of figure of eight knots. F is an overhand on a bight aka overhand loop.
The key to beginners is to teach them PROPERLY from the start. My pick would be the bowline. If possible, the bowline on a bight variation because it starts off by tying an overhand loop and it's easy to remember.
Finally, don't underestimate beginners. They are not dumb. They are just beginners.
I never treat beginners like beginners. I treat them like trainees.