Survival Knot Series: The Bowline

To tie the bowline, you need only remember the following pneumonic: “The rabbit runs out of his hole, around the tree and back into his hole.”

Below is a step-by-step tutorial showing how to tie the bowline using this pneumonic.

Start by running the rescue line around your waist.

STEP 1: Create “the rabbit hole” and “the tree” by making a loop in the long end of the rope. Notice the right and wrong way to make the loop.

STEP 2: Now take “the rabbit” and make him come out of “his hole” …

STEP 3: Around “the tree”

STEP 4: And back in “his hole”

STEP 5: Pull to tighten.

Now, once you’ve mastered this knot using both hands, it’s time to try it one handed.  Good luck!

Remember, it’s not IF but WHEN,

Creek