Hot Disaster Preparation Posts

How To: Tie the Sailor's Knot

The Sailor's Knot: learn knot tying. The Sailor's Knot is also called The Anchor Bend, Carrick Bend and Full Carrick Bend. It's easy to tie, does not slip easily in the wet, and is among the strongest of knots - it can't jam and is readily untied. Tie the Sailor's Knot.

How To: Tie the trucker's hitch Boy Scouts knot

Learn how to tie the Boy Scouts trucker's hitch knot. The Trucker's Hitch (Lorry Knot in the UK and parts of Canada) allows the scout (or sailor or whatever) to easily tighten a rope, yet easily untie the knot. Its most common use is for tying loads (thus the trucker moniker) such as a canoe to a cartop, a tarp to trailer or any application where a very tight rope is needed. It provides the advantages of a block and tackle, without the heavy hardware.

How To: Tie the bowline Boy Scouts knot

Learn how to tie the Boy Scouts knot the bowline. The bowline knot is used to make a non-slip loop in the end of a rope. While it is used for climbing and rescues, a Figure-8 Loop Knot often is best in those situations. Remember to end the knot with the tag end of the rope inside the loop. And thanks to those scouters and boaters who helped remind me of this point. Tie the bowline Boy Scouts knot.

How To: Tie the sheep shank Boy Scouts knot

Learn how to tie the sheep shank Boy Scouts knot. A sheep shank knot has two uses. First, you may use it to shorten a rope and maintain its strength for pulling. Its most useful purpose, however, is in situation when you cannot retrieve your rope. When lowering yourself over a rock (with no intention of returning up the face) how are you going to retrieve the rope that it tied to a rock or tree at the top? Tie a sheep shank knot close to the top end of the rope. Maintain tension on the rope a...

How To: Tie the tautline hitch Boy Scouts knot

Learn how to tie this Boy Scouts knot. The tautline knot builds a loop that will easily get bigger - by sliding the knot up the rope toward the free end. But, when pressure is applied to the loop, it will not get smaller. Its most common use in Boy Scouts is on the ropes that attach a tent to tent stakes in the ground. The loose end is attached to the tent. The loop goes around the stake and the knot slides by hand to tighten or loosen the rope. But the tautline hitch knot will not slide by i...

How To: Tie the Boy Scout Sheep Shank knot

Learn how to tie the Sheep Shank Knot. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the Sheep Shank Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your Boy Scout requirements. Tie the Boy Scout Sheep Shank knot.

How To: Tie a tensionless hitch with a knot tying animation

Watch this knot tying animation (fast or slow) to learn how to tie the tensionless hitch. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the tensionless hitch Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie a tensionless hitch with a knot tying animation.

How To: Tie a hasty webbing harness for search & rescue

Handy technique for search & rescue, learn how to tie a hasty webbing harness with this knot tying animation. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the Hasty Webbing Harness Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie a hasty webbing harness for search & rescue.

How To: Tie the Sailmaker's Whipping Knot

Learn how to tie the Sailmaker's Whipping Knot. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the Sailmaker's Whipping Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie the Sailmaker's Whipping Knot.

How To: Tie the West Country Whipping Knot

Learn how to tie the West Country Whipping Knot! This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the West Country Whipping Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie the West Country Whipping Knot.

How To: Coil an unnattached rope

Learn how to coil an unnattached rope. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can coil an unattached rope fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Coil an unnattached rope.

How To: Survive a bear attack

Learn how to deal with a black bear or grizzly encounter with Shannon Davis and Ted the Bear. Black bears are distinguished from brown bears by lack of a prominent shoulder hump; a Roman profile or sloping nose and forehead instead of a dished forehead; and shorter, thicker claws for climbing versus longer, more slender claws for digging. Although brown bears are generally bigger, size is not a dependable indicator. Also, fetal position is often recommended as opposed to lying prone as shown.

How To: Fight off a vampire

You never know when you'll have to defend yourself against one of these bloodsuckers, so be prepared to bring a vampire to his knees. While you may not believe in vampires, there are those that do. In any case, prepare now for a hypothetical attack from the un-dead and you won't have to kick yourself later. You will need garlic, a cross, rice, grain, or seeds, holy water, a wooden stake, an axe, matches, and some water. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to fight off a ...

How To: Tie the adjustable bend knot

The Adjustable Bend, demonstrated in this how-to video, was invented by the Canadian climber Robert Chisnall sometime before 1982. More accurately a coupling of two identical knots, the bend is a great way of lengthening or shortening two rope ends tied together. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie the adjustable bend knot.

How To: Tie compound double coin knots

This how-to video shows the basic technique for compounding Double Coin Knots. This video a starting point for learning complex compound knots and the techniques used to create them. Follow along with the step-by-step instructions in this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie compound double coin knots.

How To: Start a first aid kit

A well stocked first aid kit is a good tool to have at home at any time, and it will help you be better prepared in the event of an emergency. It's also a good idea to have a kit with you while hiking, biking, camping or boating. While kits can be bought preassembled, you can also build your own. For more information on keeping and creating your own first aid kit, take a look. Start a first aid kit.

How To: Avoid insect bites while hiking

Insects can be a big nuisance while you are hiking. Different parts of the country and different parts of the world have different kinds of stinging, nasty, biting insects. Preventing insect bites is easy with these tips. Get advice on backpacking, hiking, and the great outdoors in this how-to video.

How To: Make matches waterproof

Matches aren't going to do you any good once they get wet. Even in plastic, water can leak and ruin regular matches. Waterproof your matches, like in this how-to video. Then when you're camping our in the great outdoors, you won't be caught without a way to make a fire. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to convert regular matches into waterproof ones.

How To: Treat poison ivy, oak, and sumac with jewel weed

Jewel weed is found in swamps lakes and wet places. This how-to video demonstrates using the jewel weed stems on the infected area until the bumps or blisters break open. Jewel weed has a chemical that neutralizes poison ivy, oak, or sumac oil, so it's okay to scratch with Jewel Weed. Jewel weed also works well on mosquito bites, burns, and skin diseases. Find out how to treat posion ivy, oak, or sumac with jewel weed by watching this video outdoor safety video.

How To: Use a Millbank bag water filter

A Millbank bag is a great way to filter water into drinking water. While bacteria is not removed by a Millbank bag, large debris is filtered out so the water can be boiled or purified by other means. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to use a Millbank bag to filter water in nature.