How to Tie a Prusik & Water Knot

When you first begin learning knots it can seem overwhelming. Stick with it. Once you figure out the basics, knots become second nature. Two important knots for climbing are the Prusik and the water knots. Water knots are used with nylon webbing and are made to withstand great tension yet still remain easy to untie. Prusik knots are rescue knots used for ascending and descending as well as tying off rescue systems. A Prusik is a closed loop of, typically 5mm cord.

Instructions

  1. Prusik Knot

    • 1

      Hold your Prusik loop next to the main climbing line. Keep the knotted portion of the loop on the far side of the loop, away from the main climbing line.

    • 2

      Slide the end loop of the Prusik loop under and then around the main climbing line, keeping the knot away from the wrap. As you make each loop of the Prusik loop around the main climbing line, bring it around and under the Prusik loop itself. The result is a Prusik loop that decreases in size with each successive wrap around the main climbing line.

    • 3

      Wrap two more coils of the Prusik loop around the main climbing line.

    • 4

      Push the three coils tight together on the main line, making sure the knotted side of the Prusik is away from the main climbing line.

    • 5

      Clean the knot by making sure the coils are right next to each other without overlapping.

    Water Knot

    • 6

      Take one nylon webbing strap and tie an overhand knot on the end. Keep the knot loose and at least one inch of webbing up from the knot.

    • 7

      Bring the second nylon strap of the same size up and through the bottom part of the overhand knot on the first strap.

    • 8

      Follow the knot. This means bring the end of the second strap up and around the overhand knot of the first nylon strap and thread it through each coil of the knot.

    • 9

      Pull each strap as hard as you can to secure and clean the water knot.