To tie a knot seems to be a simple thing, and yet there are right ways and wrong ways of doing it, and scouts ought to know the right way."

-Baden-Powell, Scouting for Boys, 1915

4b. Demonstrate that you know how to lie the following knots and tell what their uses are: two half hitches and the taut-line hitch.

You probably already know how to tie a few knots. At home you tie your shoes, your necktie, and sometimes a package. You will use knots on camping trips to hold gear on your pack, set up tents and dining flies, and keep canoes and boats from drifting away. Knots hold bandages in place. They often play a role during rescues on the water and in the mountains. After you have learned to tie a knot, practice it often. Carry a piece of cord in your pocket and, several times a day, pull it out and tie the knots you know. When you are able to tie them quickly, even with your eyes closed, you will own those knots and be ready to use them in any situation.

A hitch is a knot that lies a rope to something. Friction caused by the wraps of the rope holds the hitch in place.

Three tests of a good Knot:

1 IT SHOULD BE EASY TO TIE.

2 IT SHOULD STAY TIED.

3 IT SHOULD BE EASY TO UNTIE.

You probably already know how to tie a few knots. At home you tie your shoes, your necktie, and sometimes a package. You will use knots on camping trips to hold gear on your pack, set up tents and dining flies, and keep canoes and boats from drifting away. Knots hold bandages in place. They often play a role during rescues on the water and in the mountains. After you have learned to tie a knot, practice it often. Carry a piece of cord in your pocket and, several times a day, pull it out and tie the knots you know. When you are able to tie them quickly, even with your eyes closed, you will own those knots and be ready to use them in any situation. A hitch is a knot that lies a rope to something. Friction caused by the wraps of the rope holds the hitch in place.