In part 2 of this series “Five Knots Of The Navy SEALs” we covered how to properly tie a square knot.  If you have not mastered the square knot, you should review that article.  Learning how to tie a square knot will help you learn how to tie a bowline knot more effectively.

During your Navy SEAL training you will need to learn how to effectively tie a bowline knot.  This is one of the most common and most used knots in the world.  This knot is commonly used on boats and by climbers.   To effectively tie a bowline knot please follow the steps outlined and detailed below:

STEP #1: Take a rope and position it in front of you with one end.

STEP #2: Create a loop a brief distance from end.  Be sure to keep enough rope to be able to create the loop and knot.

STEP #3: Take the end of the rope and pass it through the loop.  When doing this you will be creating a simple knot or a half hitch as seen in the two diagrams below.

STEP #4: Now simply pull the end of the rope through as seen in the first image below, then take the rope round the standing end as seen in the second image.

STEP #5: Now take the rope round the back and through the loop.  This will create your bowline knot as seen in the images below.

This knot will take a little more practice than a square knot.  However, be sure to master this knot before moving on to the third article in this series where we will be covering how to properly tie a clove hitch knot.