The Bowline

This is an exceptional knot with a variety of uses, primarily used if you want a none slip knot in a rope to make a loop. It can be used as a waist loop to aid a rescue. or to secure a mooring line or as a haulage loop, there are a number of different tasks a Scout can use this knot for in competition work

If you look at it closely you will see its simply two loops, the first one sits over the standing end, and the second one is made by threading the end of the second loop through the first round the back of the standing end and then back through the loop.

The Running Bowline

This makes a running noose and has saved the day for my Scouts on a number of occasions during competitions. If you have to pick an object up in an area you cannot enter, by  placing two or three of these  over it and gently puling  you can, with a bit of patience, pick it up.

The Fisherman's Bend

Again although this is called a bend its a hitch, if you look at it carefully you will see its very similar to the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. the difference being the first half hitch goes round the standing part, and then through the round turn. What this dose is Make this hitch more secure, therefore its a lot safer than the round turn and two half hitches when you are using nylon or plastic rope, its also better of taking a grater strain.

The Round Turn and Two Half Hitches.

This is a very secure knot, and one I use to secure a rope to a post, or stake, when building bridges and towers. I also use it for fastening the end of a rope that will have to take a strain, usually from a pulley or block. Its also a useful knot to use when fastening the first end of a hammock rope, or commando bridge to a tree, although for use with a hammock I would use  slip loops on the end two turns. 

Activities involving ropes can be dangerous. Therefore If you decide to  replicate any of the activities, shown and described on these pages, they must be done under the supervision of a responsible instructor.   When using knots  the choice of materials; the age, size, and condition of ropes; and the accuracy with which you tie them is crucial. Also using the correct knot for the job, is just as important as maintaining all your pioneering equipment in first class condition. For this reason no responsibility can be  accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.