The Worlds Most Reliable Knot: The Prusik Hitch

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks for Watching. If you'd like to support the channel - I've made Knot Tying Reference Cards + A Practice Kit HERE: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV4J4BKB?maas=maas_adg_97509F8C72EF4B0621284CA42F0CD705_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

[@wam7484]

For rope climbing consider using two short prussiks at high chest level and attach slings to each to reach down to your feet. Now you can climb one foot at a time with the prussiks up where you can easily reach them. You step up on the upper prussik and bring the lower prussik up behind it to reset for the next step up. This is not considered an emergency tactic in mountain rescue. We use it regularly unless we're carrying ascenders. If needed a third prussik can be used for self-belay to your harness...but we don't actually load it. Just a safety backup.

[@Konstantinoskrasoulis]

Clear language, clear footage, clear tutorial, perfect knots! I can ask nothing else. Subscribed!

[@neilbennett9281]

Same here

[@J3mdA]

Knowing how to use knots is simply a superpower! Wow, the last use case was mind blowing! 👏

[@slopsec2358]

Good video! Been using the prusik since 1970. Learned it climbing, and immediately realized it has all kinds of great usage. MPGA 2024!!!

[@brucestarr4438]

Watch the US Army Rangers competition. They use two long Prusik hitches, one for each leg/foot. They alternate each side to walk/climb up a rope very fast. It works just like a climbing ascender.

[@TheBearEssentials]

That’s definitely a way better technique lol.

[@RichardHardy-ce1sw]

Dahlonega.

[@haydenhowell1647]

Do you have a possible link for this completion? Thank you in advance

[@marybratton1766]

​@ricdonato4328 so interesting that you did all that... Wow, I thought I was the older one around here and you were in ranger training when I was 1... How long were you in the service? And thank you for your service😊😊

[@archsys307]

Hmmm I really can’t wrap my head around what you mean at all. What are you saying?

[@Flashahol]

I only clicked because I rarely see the Prusik represented properly with the knot on the side but I have to admit you know your stuff, present it really well and I have learnt a few tricks I never thought about doing too!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you very much, really nice to hear this. I get a lot of great feedback from my vids and people help correct any. Mistakes for future vids!!

[@SheilaTheGrate]

I love your videos. They are very informative, friendly and easy to follow. You're spreading some great knowledge of knots and how to optimize them in different situations. I really appreciate it!

[@travelandeventz2742]

yes

[@GiantSequoiaNation]

Easily the best description and utilization of the prussik knot. Now I'm making a bunch of these 12" loops tomorrow. Lol.

[@MyFakeBrand]

I thought this was going to be one minute of information and seven minutes of filler. I was wrong. This is a very good video filled with useful information.

[@bullcrap9409]

Right? I’ve already sent in a complaint to KZbin. I mean, what if more people started doing this???

[@Timberbeartrail]

Brilliantly explained

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you!

[@SergioCM_]

I've been studying knots and bushcraft for hours, maybe days recently because my knowledge about it was cero. And this Is the best channel by far. Thank you sir for sharing all this stuff !

[@tauchersmiddy]

I love your practical tips. Really good, interesting content presented in a highly professional manner. And even on topics that I thought I knew about, there is always something new to learn. Thanks.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Wow that’s really nice of ya to say!! Thank you!!

[@kristadavis2825]

Thanks for the video! I’m teaching my boys about the age of exploration and pirates through our homeschool curriculum and History Unboxed gave us a knot tying game but I wanted us to learn knots we can use for camping and survival and this is perfect. It took my 8 year old and I a few tries but we got it by pausing your video for each step. I have a feeling my boys will be getting our pars cord out and creating some new designs for their play tree and gym, the oldest already fell by hanging upside down while trying to creat his own sliding pulley system but this would be the skill he needed to make it successful (if he can determine how to slide it without the tension, plus a ladder -we had a discussion about thinking about safety before executing his ideas).

[@rickykneebone2623]

its so reliable we use it in vertical rescue, however it is only considered a 1/2 point of contact so two are required to be compliant with rescue regulations

[@TheBearEssentials]

Ah good point!! Two of them in line?

[@rickykneebone2623]

yea this is due to the SWL of the prussic line as it needs to be of a smaller diameter than the working line. In Australia our rescue rope has a SWL of about 3 tonnes (12mm static kermantle) but the prussic is only about 1.

[@BiggMo]

@@rickykneebone2623SWL?

[@BuckrBill]

Very cool knot…You managed to teach an old dog a very cool new trick…thanks peace from Campbell River Vancouver Island

[@osver36]

I've only used it from a hammock ridgeline to hang things at night (glasses, headlamp, etc). Never thought about using it for the tarp. Will try that out on the next camping trip.

[@grootjebbink]

if you make a loop for the foot-Prusik, it stays connected to your foot, makes it easier to reach it while climbing! Very nice informational video of my beloved Prusik Hitch :)

[@dustyjordan460]

Can't believe I've been backcountry camping as long as I have without knowing this simple little knot. Game changer.

[@alanpayne1442]

Wish I knew these tricks when I was in the scouts - 65 years ago. Excellently produced video.

[@meninemorebit1169]

Somebody said before........ Clear language, clear footage, clear tutorial, perfect knots! I can ask nothing else. Subscribed! Simple !!!

[@andycopland3179]

This is the kind of video that makes me visualise my next camping setup and how to improve it. I love that.

[@d4mdcykey]

Another excellent video, sir. Your very thorough descriptions, calm clear demeanor, to the point and no nonsense approach is very refreshing in this space. I've watched alot of videos over the years regarding outdoor skills, particularly knots and camping, and you have the best presentations I've seen. Great work!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you so much for saying that, just really glad people are learning and able to digest this info which is sometimes a bit boring or hard to understand!

[@dennisneuhaus2607]

In Alaska, our Army mountaineering training, on the glacier, we were trained to use a double line (one for each foot) each with a prusik knot attached to a vertical line to ascend out of a cavass. The altering of each foot up as you demonstrated.

[@xl000]

It once saved me in a tabletop RPG I was in a dungeon, I fell inside a well, the sides were very slippy. Fortunately, there was a rope that was hanging from the top for some reason, but too high for me to reach. I also had a ladder in my backpack, but it was just 10 feet. With the ladder, and two shoelaces, I was able to reach the top using this very knot

[@DenBlackburn]

Ive used the Prusik Hitch for as long as I can remember, but the part I loved was, in an ameragancy, using it to help climb a rope, something Id just never thought of, thanks so much for the idea. Had a quick go at using 3, I tied the bottom of the rope quite tight, and leaving 1 hand free it made it quite fast for me to get to the top of my 5 meter rope but it was difficult. I managed to speed the system up by just using 2 Prusik`s , 1 for my wrist (I thickened the loop with tape so I didnt dig into my wrist) and the other for my foot, I tied 550`s para to my free boot making a loose loop under the foot Prusik so I could slide the foot Prusik up the rope, its a very fast way of getting up the rope. As a last hope I would deffinatly use any of the systems, there was no slipping and the weather was damp. Its really got me thinking as I love to use mechanical advantage, so ive a lot more ideas bouncing around my empty head. Great video, thanks.

[@AcMcRevo]

I actually had to use two prusiks to climb the rope a year before. I have to say that the knot is the most reliable knot I have ever used. Super useful, super easy - as most of the useful things are

[@michaellucas8927]

These videos are the best. Keep them coming. 😍

[@TheBearEssentials]

Will do, thank you!!

[@handyman1001]

Your tutorials are the best!

[@mirjamhoss2923]

Excellent showing instead of telling - thank you very, very much, most helpful!

[@biranit50]

i suggest you use a cevlar line around heat sources like above a fire or stove

[@kcolbinyar]

I just stumbled across this. Day to day I don't generally need any of these knots, but I'm gonna now need to find things to tie. Awesome vids.

[@Zendukai]

Thanks BigBear, I keep a list of links to your knots in my droid KEEP notes, so I can access them anywhere there is mobile data :) but I do have some saved on the mobile too. I'd like to see some knots demonstrated that can stand loads and hopefully easiest to undo after say, towing a vehicle :) maybe you have them, I'll have another look.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Sure, some strong towing knots. I can definitely look into that for ya!

[@Zendukai]

@@TheBearEssentials cheers big fella !!

[@brewhog]

Such a game changer for me. I can't believe this wasn't in my arsenal before. Thank you!!

[@jessicae.s.340]

I learned this in Glacier Training at Ft Richardson Ak in 1974👍Ive used it 100’s of times since..common stuff, no climbing

[@lgolem09l]

ah, yes, peak procrastination

[@HansLemurson]

What? No! This is _essential_ information before I write a bunch of important emails.

[@lgolem09l]

@@HansLemurson I'll have time to finish my PhD presentation AFTER this.

[@kusada3035]

This is the info I needed yesterday, now let me watch, class can wait

[@vasidobrin8380]

So true...

[@chrisnewtownnsw]

I am so damn impressed. I do forklift work and am always looking for creative knots to hoist and secure loads so I find this video fascinating.

[@D9everything]

You could anchor the standing rope to the ground, throw a sling rope over a joist or I-beam to create a pulley and attach that to your Prusik. And while you're doing that I'll grab the cherry picker and deliver the item to the customer. Good thing we work on commission.

[@jerrysundin8425]

You could try a loop inside the lower knot for the foothold, so that you can drag it up without bending down and without getting your foot out/in all the time :)

[@eydanblk1183]

very good you are the master of knots, 👌🏻

[@TheBearEssentials]

Wow, thank you!! I cant claim that title but im flattered

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Outstanding. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@TheDrsmn]

Great video, thanks. My first but I will definitely follow your channel. One thing though, 12” is way too short for a couple of loops in the bag. After the video I went and cut 5 pieces of 12” each. Let’s just say, not sure what I’m gonna do with those now. Probably snake knot lanyards because the prusik loops have a very small diameter. And in my country, paracord aint cheap. Even a 50cm piece tends to be quite short. Maybe 70cm. EDIT: 70cm worked great.

[@Misteribel]

The one use you didn't mention, also a kid saver, is for climbing, or getting up high like in a mast on a ship. One line for hoisting you up, one line you belay the prusik knot on. If the main fails, the self-tightening prusik saves you.

[@D9everything]

That's all well and good until Moby Dick shows up. Happens EVERY time, I tell ya.

[@Mrtip1987]

5:34 This is the most useful video I’ve ever seen regarding this knot. Thank you!

[@marcuspiper4162]

7:54 , you could try footlocking the rope underneath instead of a prussik foothold, this might make it faster? awesome video, i use this knot everyday as an arborist as my main friction hitch on a life line.

[@applaudmike]

I've learned so much from watching your videos! Thank you!

[@Kazzzzzo]

Awesome application for climbing that rope.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thx!! Could get ya out of a tricky scenario sometime I would think

[@asmodiusjones9563]

That is a very good use of the prussic knot but I respectfully suggest having the waist knot be a shorter and the foot knot longer; if so, you don’t have to take your foot out each time you slide the lower prussic. With a little practice, this is not a slow ascent at all. As a mountaineer, I’ve practiced this quite a bit, and you can easily do a slide every ten or fifteen seconds. The key is to not overreach on each slide. If you do 1-2 feet per slide, but can do 4 slides a minute, you’re up almost any length you’re practically going to face in less than ten minutes.

[@StarriSprinkles]

Holy frick I was using the Fisherman's Bend the entire time?? I used this for sewing anything and crochet sewing, but also for towing hay up north, up in Utah to feed sheep in the reservation 👀👀 _Edit: Grammar_

[@TheBearEssentials]

Yess!! Comments like this get me stoked, I had no idea it could be used for those purposes!

[@StarriSprinkles]

@@TheBearEssentials KSHFJIFJFB I USE KNOTS TO PRESERVE AND USE FOR SEWINGG IT'S SO FUN TO DOO

[@Bananeisafree]

That was indeed very interesting. Thank you for your work !

[@TheBearEssentials]

My pleasure, thx for watching

[@skylane807]

INDEED! I learned about the Prusik about 8 years ago. I am not a "climber". I used to say something like "With ropes and enough pulleys, you can move just about anything." I learned that, with the Prusik, you can "put a loop" just about anywhere on a rope (line?). A "trucker's hitch" can be a very valuable thing to know. But, if you have a very taut line and can't "through a loop" in it, a Prusik comes to the rescue.

[@vincentlee7359]

If it works during bed cardio, then it definitely is an amazing knot 😮

[@TheBearEssentials]

🤣🤣

[@Michael-iw3ek]

Fun fact: "disattach" in English would be "detach"

[@alanr745]

This video deserves at least 900 likes. Excellent content. Practical, concise, organized, and easy to follow/understand.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Haha! Well thank you!!

[@JacobHepworth]

Prusik!!! I use this all the time for compound pulley rigging.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Oh man that’s some advanced stuff. What application are u using the rig for?

[@JacobHepworth]

@@TheBearEssentialsIt's ridiculously fun. I rig for Radio work on towers. Maybe I'll make a video on setting one up, explaining the ratios.

[@GeoCrass]

Kudos! Great video for a great knot:-). Simple, informative, to the point. I really enjoyed the last part for the emergency application.

[@db.mc2]

Thanks DJ! 👊 Appreciate you my friend 🙏 God Bless

[@TheBearEssentials]

And I appreciate your continued support!! Thank you!!

[@mathsloverprashant9109]

Was waiting so eagerly for this

[@TheBearEssentials]

Yesss thanks for the support :)

[@Codevil.]

Thank you, I learned a fue things today

[@TheBearEssentials]

Glad to hear it! Thx for watching

[@nickandrew4650]

Thanks for the explanation! The word is "detach".

[@stevenensminger5737]

Way to go DJ it's about time someone gives this knot the credit it deserves great vid my brother 🌲🏕

[@TheBearEssentials]

You bet!! Wanted to do a full comprehensive vid on this badboy as it's truly amazing! Thx for the support!

[@leonardticsay8046]

I loves me some prussik knots.

[@Seamus3051]

Thank you for a valuable tutorial😀 It was clear and easy to follow, as well as being properly paced. I just stumbled across your channel and, after checking the content and volume of your home page, I immediately subscribed. This is an excellent and instructive channel. Stay well & safe. Cheers.

[@mictaylor9531]

That was superb! Thanks

[@TheBearEssentials]

Glad you liked it!

[@jessfowlie2564]

Fantastic Video DJ! So excited to use this knot on our next camping adventure: )

[@TheBearEssentials]

Fantastic! Thanks Jess!! ❤

[@JeffNoel]

An extra method that I learned from Xander Budnik to attach tie outs with a Prusik is to pass the end of the Prusik loop through your tie out, and then pass the end of the Prusik through its own loop before blocking it with a piece of wood. That last loop will secure your tarp/tent tie out but also lock the stick in place for extra security.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Awesome, ya Xander is great!! I supposed wrapping again through the prusik loop would secure it a bit more if you’re having an issue with the stick falling out. If the prusik is tight it shouldn’t happen, but for any looser ones potentially flapping in the wind I would give this idea a go^ thanks for sharing Jeff!!

[@noelrogeliosupetran486]

Hi man. Tnx for all the videos.very helpful. Now can u make a video on how to tie both ends of rope and able to tighten it as well

[@qwp1026]

Love this sharing of how to tie this beautiful and useful knot

[@rebeccapatterson649]

How neat! Thank you!

[@deanricho1967]

Hi, what diameter climbing rope do you use & what diameter paracord do you use for the prusik loops?

[@Laubasss]

Awesome! Ready to practise my hammock setup now! Cheers from the Netherlands! Subscribed!

[@PKDN215]

Just discovered your channel and you’re the first one who’s been able to teach rope tying in a way i understand! One thing I’m trying to do is tie the double fishermen bend with a 12” rope like you say but it’s SO short that I’m not able to do it. With a 24” rope, i have more than enough. Can you confirm it should be only 12”?

[@TheBearEssentials]

Hey Patrick, you can use any length, my preference is the 12” but you can absolutely use 24”!!

[@PKDN215]

@@TheBearEssentials it’s just so tiny! I guess I need more practice! Thanks

[@davee6878]

​@@PKDN215It will depend on how thick your rope is. A thicker rope will need to be longer.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Thank you mate. I will get back to reading my book about knots and practising.

[@cq7415]

Really neat especially how to climb up a rope. Great comments too. Thanks for sharing.

[@Redacted-Information]

Great video I forgot about this knot

[@TheBearEssentials]

Ya! It’s really solid, thx for watching

[@shteebo]

Useful information, beautifully presented. Thanks for posting.

[@sheldons1501]

Excellent video and instructions with great examples!!

[@davidwalesby2426]

nice i learned a lot, i knew about the knot and one use only, now i know so much more thank you.

[@ashirwadmahato7317]

Good to see long time back

[@TheBearEssentials]

Yea!!

[@nigelmaccuver9122]

👉🏻 Can I use this knot to tie my 100lbs heavy bag to it from wall inserted hook?

[@guydavies7671]

Awesome video mate, thanks

[@Garryck-1]

If you follow the instructions to use about 12" (30cm) of paracord for making a Prusik loop, not only will the loop turn out to be very much on the small side, but you'll struggle to tie it in the first place using such a short length of cord. To make a loop the same size as the ones shown in this video will require about 24" (60cm) of cord. I found this to be a much more practical length to tie, as well.

[@TheBearEssentials]

You are absolutely right. I messed up there, I meant 12” in diameter, not a 12” length total, I’ve got to update this!

[@Garryck-1]

@@TheBearEssentials - Good to know!

[@laz0rama]

love that climbing technique! thanks for sharing!

[@dansklrvids7303]

Really well done

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@podboq2]

I could use a Prusik to climb trees! I haven’t climbed in nearly 40 years due to leg amputation - but this works with 1!

[@xaos66]

This is incredible! Love your videos :) 😍

[@TheBearEssentials]

Glad you like them! thank you!!

[@keithmurray7493]

Used these to practice crevasse self-rescue. Exhausting, but it worked perfectly.

[@rtoguidver3651]

I used a chimney knot prusik like Firemen used in the old days to do tree work.

[@johann9473]

Thanks a lot!!

[@TheBearEssentials]

You're welcome!

[@justinzwaan6704]

I use the grinner and the double grinner knots for almost everything. Fishing knots, hammocks, shearing lines etc. Knot strength supposed to be 98%. 👍👌🏻 look it up.

[@lancerudy9934]

Great video thanks 😊

[@icescrew1]

A climbers life saver.

[@TheBearEssentials]

100%

[@twoowls4469]

Thanks for this content. Just found you channel. I've seen a lot of videos on the prusick, but only as it applies to ridge lines. And nobody has shown the idea of doing an offset line to change the angle of your tarp. You have a new subscriber in me!

[@alexsancheztokyo7795]

Thanks!!!!¡

[@TheBearEssentials]

My pleasure thx for watchjng

[@Codevil.]

I subscribed right after seeing this one

[@apb71]

Thanks for invaluable information.

[@tomaszderadicka1694]

What a brilliant bushcraft skills, thanks for sharing. Tomas

[@aileenpaz310]

Another best 🎉👍

[@TheBearEssentials]

:) thanks Aileen!!

[@Mmrocker1]

Wow this is my new favorite

[@Tanglangfa]

Would you recommend this for tying kayaks down to the roof rack on a car/suv?

[@michalurbanful]

Cool demonstration, thanks man! :)

[@v1311v]

cool

[@TheBearEssentials]

👍