Already getting a little eager for the return of spring and the joys of camping and outdoor recreation? While you wait, you might consider practicing the virtue of patience by learning or upgrading your knot-tying skills.

"It's something you use all the time," Richard Lehmann, assistant chief of the Rapid City Fire Department's training division and a team leader with Pennington County Search and Rescue, said. "You need to learn to do them correctly so that you are using them safely in the way they were designed."

While the need to know knots is essential to such activities as sport climbing, the ability to tie things together correctly comes in handy each time it is necessary to load, carry, pull or secure items while enjoying camping, boating and hiking activities.

Having a Boy Scout in the family might be an advantage, because learning the practical applications of various knots is one of the basic skills taught to Boy Scouts, according to Jim Bissell, executive director for the Black Hills Area Council.

"If you are involved in scouting for very long, you are going to be exposed to a variety of knots," Bissell said. "You are going to be taught and have a practical knowledge of a variety of knots. They are emphasized the most because they are used in so many different ways in other projects as they grow older."

Young Scouts regularly practice basic knots such as the bowline, square knot, half hitch and timber hitch, according to Bissell. A typical knot-tying session would start with the leader giving instruction on how to tie a few knots. "Then they would divide into smaller groups and they would practice," Bissell said. "Then they convene back together for friendly competition to apply what they just learned."

Practice is the key, Lehmann said. "Repetition over and over is the way to learn how to tie knots. We encourage people to take a piece of rope with them and use it in their free time. Do it in front of the TV." Knots should be practiced until "you don't have to think about it," Lehmann added.

Situations that require good knot-tying skills include the need to keep food away from wild animals such as raccoons or even bears while camping, knowing how to secure a boat if weather makes it necessary for you to go ashore unexpectedly or making sure your tent stays upright on a windy day.

Lehmann also suggests having an expert check and make sure you are tying your knots correctly. A poorly tied knot may mean your tent collapses in a storm or your boat drifts away - resulting in a humorous vacation memory.

But there is always the possibility that a lack of good knot-tying skills may turn your outdoor adventure into a disaster. For those who are anticipating the challenges of rock climbing or spelunking this spring, Lehmann gives a serious response to why knot-tying skills are so important: "Your life is in your hands."

Useful knots for the outdoors

Want to while away the rest of the winter learning knots? First, you need a piece of thick string or twine about 3 feet long that bends easily and doesn't fray. Put some tape around the ends or tie knots at each end so it doesn't come apart. Here are five common knots that are useful for a variety of outdoor activities:

Bowline

This knot is used for suspending objects such as packs so that wild animals don't get into them. It can hold large loads without slipping. Because it is so stable, it is also used in rescue situations.

Square knot

This knot is a common, general-purpose knot used to tie two ends of a rope together in order to secure an item so that it doesn't move.

Half hitch/two half hitches

This knot is known and used by most outdoorsmen to fix a rope to a firm object. Tent ropes can be tied down by using the two half hitches knot, or use it for a clothesline between two trees. It won't slip and it is quite easy to break down.

Timber hitch

This knot will get tighter and tighter as you apply more pressure, yet it is easy to untie. It can be used to tie up a bundle of firewood or around a pole.

Figure eight

This knot is often used in rock climbing and sailing situations. It is a type of stopper knot - a way to stop ropes from running out of retaining devices.

There are many Web sites that show how to tie knots. Here are two you might check out: www.troop7.org/Knots and www.iwillknot.com.

What about rope?

Just as different knots work for different situations, the type of rope also can be an important factor for both safety and utility. Ropes are made from a variety of materials, such as nylon, polyester or sisal, and can be constructed by either twisting or braiding. Sporting goods and hardware store personnel can help you select the kind of rope you need. In looking for the right rope, here are some important factors:

Strength - The type of fiber or filaments will determine a rope's ability to lift a load.

Abrasion resistance - Ropes that are used on pulleys or winches (for such activities as sailing or rock climbing) need to be resistant to fraying or developing areas of wear.

Water repellency - A rope should not swell when it gets wet or become stiff and unmanageable.

Flexibility - To be safe, a rope should be agile and easy to handle in all situations.

Contact Laura Tonkyn at 394-8405 or laura.tonkyn@rapidcityjournal.com.