The bowline knot is a straightforward, secure loop that’s useful for tying a tarp or hammock to a tree. It’s also useful in a rescue situation, looping rope around a victim’s chest and tying a bowline that won’t undo or tighten. The knot’s strong when there’s weight on it, but easy to untie when there’s not.

1. Wrap the rope around the object you’re tying to, then create a small loop, leaving enough rope to thread through the loop twice

2. Thread the rope through the loop

3. Pass the end behind and back up through the same loop (think ‘through the rabbit hole, around the tree and back up through the rabbit hole’)

4. Pull tight