Diving knots have to be simple enough to tie in cold water, gloves, and low visibility, and they must still release after a heavy pull. For example, the Bowline is the most essential diving knot, forming a fixed loop to clip a lift bag to a sunken object or to hold a descent line in current. A Round Turn & Two Half Hitches ties the lifting line around a shackle or padeye even under load, and the same hitch can be tied one-handed to secure a torch lanyard to a harness D-ring. For heavier rigging, an Anchor Hitch provides a secure connection to underwater structures. A Sheet Bend joins two lines when one is too short to reach the surface, while a Figure Eight in the end of a reel line keeps it from slipping off the spool as a diver lays a guide line through a wreck. Because a diver cannot always see the knot, many are chosen so they can be tied and checked by feel. The best diving knots are listed below.
Anchor Hitch
Attach a line to an anchor, ring or post.
Bowline
Relatively secure fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Figure Eight
Simple stopper knot preventing rope from slipping through belay device or hole.
Figure Eight Loop
Secure, fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Round Turn & Two Half Hitches
Secure knot for tying a rope to a post or ring.
Sheet Bend
Securely join ropes of different or similar size.
Snap Bowline
Quick to tie, Relatively secure fixed loop.
Square Knot
Simple binding knot for securing objects, not suitable for joining two ropes.
Warning
