3 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL KNOTS You Need to Know

Everyone knows at least 2 knots. 1 helps you tie your shoes, the other is used for literally everything else. But this simply will knot(had to..) cut it in a survival situation. Let’s talk about the 3 essential knots that you can use in your outdoor adventures, or around the house.
If you plan to realistically learn these, you will need to put them into practice. I recommend you tie these knots at least once a week for a few months to really start to build muscle memory around them. It should only take 3 minutes of your time.

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3 Essential Survival Knots You Need to Know

[karlzaunbrecher]

When I taught my kids knots, I kept it simple by teaching only 3 knots: the square, the bowline, and the tautline. I told them that with those 3 knots they could build the pyramids. Pretty sure kids today don't learn knot tying, which is probably okay...until they need to tie a knot

[paulmorris]

I was taught the bowline knot in the RN with "The rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree and back down the hole". Works for me.

[Synergy]

I've almost forgot all the knots I was taught while in scouts, however as most have said, in additon to the three great knots you have detailed here; a clove hitch is a must to remember! Also a clove hitch is the first knot you tie for square lashing, which is a great load bearing way to fasten objects together, usually at right angles. Square lashing can be a life saving knot, you can make stretchers with it, lash a raft tightly together, or even build things like sturdy raised Basha or Bivouac shelters. Keep up the great stuff mate!

[ForestRainMedia]

Having been an entertainment rigger for several years, the Clovehitch has been my most-used knot, but I love learning about new and interesting knots and their applications!

[Alasdair-Morrison]

Ya know the best knots in the world, are the knots power cords, earphones, fishing line and other cables do all by themselves in storage! Takes forever to undo them :)

[GripFreak]

As a IGKT member and knot enthusiast I would say in the context of bushcraft and outdoor survival that the jam knot is the mother of all knots. In the 90's I was fortunate enough to learn personally from the greatest wilderness survival skills instructor of all time, Mors Kochanski. He had 7 knots that he taught and the jam knot was at the top of his list as well. One knot that you could have added to your list would be the prussik knot. A runner up could have been the marlinspike hitch. You have a great channel with very useful information and instructions. Peace...✌

[thressapratt]

On the subject of knots. I'm a crocheter. I honestly think learning even the basic stitches of this craft can be a life saver. You can of course make clothing, but you can make shoes and blankets as well as shelter with those blankets. You can make backpacks and bags as well as fishing nets. So all basis are pretty much covered. It's not just a frilly little granny craft. I'm thinking long term SHTF ideas here. You can also make "yarn" from t shirts as well as plastic bags and sheets.

[danokitemanotoo]

When I was a Captain of my Fire Department, I would stress how important knots are. On the fire scene there are about 1/2 a dozen knots we used depending on what we were doing. Great video BTW & I always use the truckers hitch when building a tarp shelter.

[GH-oijf]

The bowline deserves to be at the top of the list. Easy, quick, and essential. Suppose someone breaks through ice and can’t get out. If you throw them a loose rope, they might not be able to hang onto it. But if you put a large loop in it with a bowline there is a double advantage. First, the extra weight of the loop will make it easier to throw to the person needing help. Second, he can put his head and arms through the loop and hang on even if his fingers are freezing.

[susanpeters]

Great video! I realize I need to practice my knots! Life, Red Cross and Girl Scouts taught me the knots decades ago, one does get rusty..the names of the knots have escaped me! Thanks for showing us and jogging this aging brain!

[alanesterline]

A long time ago we were taught to tie a bowline with one hand with the rope looped around your waist/chest. This was an important safety/rescue knot since it could be used to lift a person without putting the squeeze on them. One hand tying was important if you had fallen and were keeping yourself from falling further with the other hand. I'll have to think and try it to remember how.

[Brion]

I love the Alpine Butterfly loop. You can tie it without needing a free end, it's a load bearing loop in either direction of pull, and you can untie it pretty easy. I also like the Jug Knot, but I've never memorized how to tie it.

[Pippins]

Bowline, round turn and 2 half hitches, and, better that the truckers knot - the tautline hitch. After 70 years in the scouts, the navy, and camping, these three will cover pretty well everything

[JaredBetts]

Overhand knots are great, but by adding a twist you can make it into a figure 8 which is a little more secure...

One thing that you may want to also remind people is that whenever you put a knot into a rope you are cutting the strength of the rope. A simple overhand knot in the middle of the rope creates the weak point and reduces the strength by 50%.... It is best to use knots that don't twist the rope where there is tension...

The truckers knot is great for tying things down and holding light weight... but a Taut line doesn't reduce the strength of the rope.

As mentioned by another person, a clove hitch or running clove hitch is a great anchor point because it doesn't reduce the work that can be done by the rope. In a survival setting, these knots can work quickly... but if you are going to have the rope do any work or hold SERIOUS weight, you need to keep that rope as straight and free of knots as possible.

[jeffdillon]

Clove hitch and figure 8 are two common knots. The clove hitch has a tie for fixed objects and for ones with an open end to loop over.

[mistastabs]

Hi, instead of using a running bowline for your ridgeline turn the fixed loop and running line into a marlinspike hitch that way your ridgeline will have a quick release on both sides.

[fatmanfaffing]

Nice video. Clove hitch, bowline, Slip knot, reef knot, truckies hitch and a round turn and two half hitch knot cover everything I need on land or sea. I once met an old sailor who could tie a bowline one handed while rolling a cigarette in the other hand... in his pocket to keep it dry! I first learned knots in the Cub Scouts aged 7, then the army and then in my 30s when sailing. Now 60, I practise my knots so I don't forget. I once waited an hour for the last bloke to leave the hardware store so no one would see me tie down my load because I had forgotten how to do a truckie's hitch! Never again.

[thomasmorrison]

As a US Army Combat Engineer I had a most unique use for a knot. We used a girth hitch with an extra turn to join detonating cord in our firing systems. Detonating cord allows you to tie in different explosive charges into a single system. The girth-hitch with extra turn is used to ensure you have enough surface contact with the detonating cord to keep the detonation moving without cutting off the branch lines/charges. You even have to orient the running end away from the direction of the detonation or risk cutting off the line rather than transferring the explosion to the branch. Knots are great.

[lindabrewer]

TY from a novice! I know I really need to learn these knots. Great job teaching on the video! God bless you!

[LeMayJoseph]

With the trucker’s hitch, if you double-wrap your terminus through the loop, it locks the tension, making it easier to tighten and tie off without dropping tension.