Basic Knots

Rope & Knots Every Prepper Should Master

From shelter building to hauling supplies, knots are the quiet heroes of survival. Learn a few, practice often, and you’ll gain one of the most versatile tools in the field — skill.

---

Why Knots Matter

In a survival scenario, rope becomes more than just cord — it’s structure, safety, and security. Knowing how to tie and untie efficiently can mean the difference between a stable shelter and a collapsed one, or a successful rescue versus a failed attempt. Good knots are strong, reliable, and easy to untie even after being loaded.

Essential Ropes to Keep on Hand

• 550 Paracord: Lightweight, versatile, and ideal for most survival uses.
• Bank Line: Compact tarred cord that grips well in wet conditions.
• Climbing Rope (Dynamic): For load-bearing and safety-critical applications.
• Static Rope: For hauling gear or setting anchors where stretch is undesirable.

Top 7 Knots for Every Prepper

1. Square Knot (Reef Knot): For joining two equal ropes. Remember the rhythm: right over left, left over right.
2. Bowline: Creates a fixed loop that won’t slip — perfect for rescue or shelter tie-downs. Tip: Picture a “rabbit” (the working end) coming out of the “hole,” around the “tree,” and back down the hole.
3. Clove Hitch: Quick anchor knot around posts or trees. Secure it with an extra half hitch for safety.
4. Trucker’s Hitch: Ideal for cinching loads or tensioning tarps. Combines a loop, a pulley effect, and a finishing hitch.
5. Sheet Bend: Join two ropes of different sizes. Think “hook the thicker rope, wrap the thinner one, tuck under itself.”
6. Figure-Eight on a Bight: A strong, easy-to-untie loop for climbing, anchors, or hauling.
7. Prusik Knot: Creates an adjustable friction hitch for ascending or securing lines — crucial for rescue and improvised climbing.

Practice & Memory Tips

• Visual anchors: Assign each knot a scenario — the Bowline for rescue, the Trucker’s Hitch for tarps, the Prusik for safety lines.
• Muscle memory over diagrams: Practice while watching TV or during downtime. Repeat each knot until your hands move automatically.
• Test under tension: After tying, load each knot and observe how it holds. Confidence grows with tactile experience.

Simple Drills

Set aside five minutes a day to practice three knots. Rotate through your list each week. Try blindfolding yourself once you’re confident — it simulates low-light or stressful conditions. Record your progress in a small field journal.

Resources

• Animated Knots by Grog — gold-standard animated, step-through demos across camping, rescue, scouting, and more.
• Animated Knots — Basic Knots — the core building blocks (reef/square, sheet bend, figure-eight) with clear visuals and use-cases.
• Animated Knots — Scouting Set — curated list aligned to common field tasks and Scout requirements.
• REI Expert Advice: Climbing Knots — crisp, photo-led instructions and safety notes for load-bearing knots/hitches.
• Scout Pioneering: Knots — field-tested explanations for lashings, Prusik, rolling/roundturn hitches, and more.
• BSA Pioneering Merit Badge — official knot & lashing expectations with videos and meeting activities.
• UIAA: Knot Guidance — safety-commission notes on choosing/finishing knots and avoiding common errors.
• UIAA: Figure-Eight Knots — why incomplete knots cause incidents; buddy-check reminders.
• BMC: Ropes Guide — rope types, care, and retirement—vital context for safe knot use.
• Animated Knots — Complete List — searchable index by activity/type (bends, hitches, loops, slide-and-grip).

Prepper’s Takeaway

Knots turn rope into a multipurpose tool: shelter frame, rescue line, gear sling, snare, or improvised stretcher. Master a handful and you’ll unlock hundreds of uses. In the field, efficiency equals survival — and skill never runs out of batteries.

© 2025 Prepper on the Plains — All rights reserved.