SUPP UP. Self-Reliance Articles

Following on from the last article on essential knots, here’s the promised figure eight knot and its useful variations. This article includes not only stopper figure eight knots but figure eight loops and bends, which I’ll elaborate on more in later articles.

Figure eight knots do everything overhand knots do. The main difference is, they’re much easier to untie.

How to Tie a Figure Eight Knot

1. Make an overhand loop, but upward facing.

1. Make the running end pass under the working end.

1. Pass the running end back through the first loop.

1. pull both running and working ends to tighten.

Like the overhand knot, you can make the figure eight quick release. Just put the running end back through the first loop before securing the knot.

When you want to release, just pull the running end.

How to Tie a Threaded Figure Eight Knot (Loop)

You can also make a threaded figure eight. This is a loop knot climbers use as it’s considered more secure than a bowline loop. It’s a good way to tie onto a fixed loop.

1. Knot a loose figure eight in your rope, making sure you leave the running end long.

1. Pass your running end through or around whatever you want to tie your rope onto.

1. Then trace the path of the original figure eight.

1. Pull tightly to secure, just as you would a knotted figure eight.

How to Tie a Figure Eight Bend

An easy way to securely joint two ropes together is with a figure eight bend. It’s also useful when you want to make a prusik loop of rope, which you can use for ascending. A figure eight bend is best tied with equal width ropes, especially if you plan for it to hold a critical load.

1. Like the threaded figure eight loop knot, tie a loose figure eight in the end of one of your ropes.

1. Make sure the ends face in opposite directions, and there’s no crossover in the rope.

1. To secure, pull all ends.

Stay tuned to learn what loops are and their useful variations.

Discuss...

Disclaimer:

This article is for public reference only. Neither the contributor, SUPP UP., nor anyone involved in its production is responsible for how readers use the information or the outcomes of their actions.

Interested in sharing a self-reliance article as a member of SUPP UP. Social? Let me know and I’ll consider it for publishing! Contact me on Moderator@supp-up.social.

Until next time…

- Sol

Stop doing guesswork, start making self-reliance easier.

Self Reliance #6: Figure Eight Knot Variations (How-To) – Essential Knots is an article from and appeared first on SUPP UP. Social.

SUPP UP. Social is a spin-off from the main SUPP UP. Blog. While the blog focuses on nutrition, workouts, and recipes, this server focuses wholly on self-reliance and offers a space for people to join a like-minded community.

A big part of self-reliance is knowing how to tie knots. Knots come in handy when fishing (for your hook/lure, etc), climbing, boating, and more.

There are different knots for different purposes (stopper, loops, bends, hitches, and lashing), but you only need to know essential knots to get the job done. There’s some great books out there on this but for now I’ll show you (with pictures) the easiest and most useful knots to learn throughout a (non-sequential) series of articles on here.

First things first: stopper knots.

These are good for stopping a rope slipping through a hole, when a rope has weight added to it, when used as handholds, to stop fraying, and more. When they’re tied around the standing end (the part of the rope that mainly stays stationary when working with it), stoppers are used as a backup to prevent other knots from failing.

The first and simplest knot is the overhand knot – it’s the starting point of several other knots.

Overhand knots, once tightened, are tough to undo.

How to Tie an Overhand Knot

1. Make an underhand loop by taking the working end (the part of the rope you tie the knot with) and pass it under the standing end.

1. Pass the running end through the loop from the front to back.

1. Pull both ends to secure.

You can also make a quick release overhand knot by pulling the running end back through the first loop before securing the knot:

To quick release, you just pull the running end.

To make a double overhand (making the knot bulkier), push the first turn twice into the middle of the knot:

For a blood knot, do it three times:

Stay tuned for another stopper knot, the figure eight knot.

Disclaimer:

This article is for public reference only. Neither the contributor, SUPP UP., nor anyone involved in its production is responsible for how readers use the information or the outcomes of their actions.

Interested in sharing a self-reliance article as a member of SUPP UP. Social? Let me know and I’ll consider it for publishing! Contact me on Moderator@supp-up.social.

Until next time…

- Sol

Stop doing guesswork, start making self-reliance easier.

Self Reliance #5: How to Tie an Overhand Knot – Essential Knots is an article from and appeared first on SUPP UP. Social.

SUPP UP. Social is a spin-off from the main SUPP UP. Blog. While the blog focuses on nutrition, workouts, and recipes, this server focuses wholly on self-reliance and offers a space for people to join a like-minded community.

A little late with this one but here it is as promised. There’s plenty of information out there on how to survive when you’re way out in the middle of nowhere, and while the last self-reliance article laid out a kit that was half mini med bag, the other half is designed for situations when you’re nowhere near an urban setting.

But it’s like I said in the last self-reliance article, I fully recognize that cities are densely populated. So, what about those everyday situations where you find yourself needing something but you don’t have it on you? This is where you can put together an urban every day carry kit, or urban EDC kit – stuff you need often and that’s taken with you wherever you go.

You want a bag that’s small enough to carry (so not the size of a full backpack, think more along the lines of a shoulder sling) but organized and spacious enough to fit everything. I’ve had a few bags over the years but this is probably the most functional one. It’s also easy to stuff into checked luggage so you can have things with you even when you travel, but that aren’t allowed in the cabin space of a plane.

Now for the stuff that goes in it. I’ve provided links to some stuff for visual reference – I don’t make any money off of the links, they’re purely there so you know what to look for.

• Pencil and notebook
• Paper road maps
• Collapsible water bottle (these are the best type in my opinion)
• Power bank (22.5W 20000mAh is best) and multi connector charging cable
• Flashlight (I like the rechargeable LED ones)
• Lighter (I’m a big fan of Zippo) and spare flints/wick
• Pocketknife or multitool
• Matches (in case your lighter runs out of fluid)
• An assortment of band-aids (including one or two hydrocolloid ones
• Hand sanitizer
• Antibiotic ointment
• Scissors
• Tape
• Super glue
• Duct tape
• Paracord (550 7 strand)

You may not understand why I’ve suggested some of these items – if you don’t it’s time to learn what they’re useful for. Other seem obvious – band-aids, a power bank, etc being a few.

Pencil and paper are still handy these days for if your phone battery dies or you prefer not to have your phone out in public in case of theft.

Paper road maps are useful for the same reason – GPS on a phone can drain the battery quickly, even when using a power bank. Why deplete the charge on two things which can be very useful in emergency?

If your phone battery is low, the maps app you use decides to not work properly, or you have no signal, a paper map works wonders when you’re driving in an unfamiliar area and still need to get your bearings.

Superglue is handy for when things unexpectedly break.

Paracord, duct tape, and scissors are handy for when you need to tie something to another thing or make something stick. Learn how to tie knots and your world will open up as to just how handy paracord is.

Hand sanitizer is an easy way to clean your hands if you’ve had to pop the hood of your truck or feel around on your tires to check something.

Keeping a small keychain torch or Victorinox Rally SAK on your keys is also handy, like I mentioned in the other article.

You would be surprised how often this stuff comes in handy, or you have those ‘if only I had…’ moments.

The basics are often taken for granted, but they can and do help in a pinch.

Interested in sharing a self-reliance article as a member of SUPP UP. Social? Let me know and I’ll consider it for publishing! Contact me on Moderator@supp-up.social.

Until next time…

- Sol

Stop doing guesswork, start making self-reliance easier.

Self-Reliance #4: Urban Every Day Carry (EDC) is an article from SUPP UP. Social.

SUPP UP. Social is a spin-off from the main SUPP UP. Blog. While the blog focuses on nutrition, workouts, and recipes, this server focuses wholly on self-reliance and offers a space for people to join a like-minded community.

SUPP UP. Social is funded by my limited company SUPP UP. started in 2017, so the more users support the SUPP UP. store, the bigger the server can grow.

I fully recognize most people are in an urban setting – so I’ll do an urban version of this post this month as well. For now, whether you live in an urban area or out in the country, you’d be surprised how this small kit can come in handy.

This is just as useful as keeping a small keychain torch or Victorinox Rally SAK on your keys – you forget it’s there but when it comes time to use it, it’s available.

While the items in a survival kit may not be used on a daily or even weekly basis, it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I remember the first (and last) time I foolishly forgot my mini first aid kit. My S.O. and I went out for a swim at a lagoon. The weather was good, water clear, but when she went to jump in, there were a few blunt rocks that caught her toes. We swam for a while and only when we got out did we realize that one of the rocks had cut the underside of one of her toes wide open and before long blood was everywhere on the rocks.

Thankfully, I had a first-aid kit in my vehicle, but we had to try and arrest the bleeding with one of the towels we brought with us to dry off – I could’ve easily tended to the wound right then and there, but instead it was a messier job and a 15 minute walk back to get the main kit.

The things you think about least can sometimes be the things you need most – and when you have them, it makes an experience that much easier to navigate.

So here’s an easy way to make a pocket-sized survival kit, something you can take with you that’s not too obtrusive and can fit in a coat, pants, or shorts pocket, depending on what you’re wearing.

First things first – get yourself a metal tin the size of an altoid or cigarette tin. You can find them on Amazon, ebay, Temu, or at a local tobacco shop; it’ll be about 5” x 3”x 1.5” and be able to hold roughly 2 oz. in volume. I’ve also provided links to some stuff for visual reference – I don’t make any money off of the links, they’re purely there so you know what to look for.

Once you have that, add the following to it (you only need a few of these items, so don’t load it down, and make sure you have room for everything):

Mini First Aid Kit:

Always make sure that whatever you pack in here you know how to use it. Pack medicine in airtight containers/glass vials with some cotton wool so they don’t make noise when you walk. I’ll cover how to tend to wounds in another article in the future. The following will cover most first aid needs:

• Antibiotics (over the counter for general infections). Look for one that can even be used by people with a penicillin allergy. Follow the instructions on the one you buy for appropriate use and carry enough for a full course.
• Antihistamines. For insect bites, stings, and allergies. Get something like Benadryl or Piriton in tablet form; sometimes these can also help in the event you have a bad reaction to a drug or if you need them as a sleeping pill. Don’t take them with alcohol or use more than the recommended dose.
• Anti-malaria tablets. You can find some that don’t require a prescription. These are good and only useful if you’re somewhere or travelling somewhere there’s a risk of malaria. You can buy some types where you take one tablet a month. Talk to your pharmacist.
• Condy’s Crystals. Multi-purpose, and scientifically known as potassium permanganate, you can use this to make an antiseptic or treat fungal diseases like athlete’s foot. While it was once commonly recommended to sterilize water, it’s difficult to dose so it’s best avoided as it’s toxic if dosed incorrectly, and ingestion can cause nausea and vomiting. Add it to water; deeper pink to make an antiseptic solution, and full red for a fungal disease solution.
• Intestinal Sedatives. Used for treating chronic or acute diarrhea. Immodium is the most common but like everything listed above, make sure you’re able to safely use it. If you prefer a natural alternative, Black Charcoal is also known to be effective.
• Painkillers. If you have an allergy to NSAIDs, keep paracetamol/acetaminophen on you – common brands (depending on your location) are Tylenol, Panadol, etc. It’s effective against headaches, ear or toothaches, and can soothe a sore throat. You can also use legal over the counter CBD in place of NSAIDs. For those who aren’t allergic to NSAIDs, ibuprofen, the most common brand being Advil, are good for anti-inflammatory use – think sprains and bruises. Avoid these if you have liver issues or asthma. If you have kids, ALWAYS make sure you use the children’s version only – so Tylenol for kids, Calpol, etc.
• Water sterilizing tablets. Use these when you can’t boil water and aren’t sure if it’s safe to drink. Follow the instructions on the packet. Preferably use these when no other purification methods are available as you can easily get nausea or stomach upset from them.
• Band-Aids. Pack different sizes, one to two each depending on size, ideally waterproof to keep cuts clean. You can also cut these to shape and use them as butterfly sutures if you have none.
• Butterfly Sutures. These are used to hold together the edges of clean and sterilized cuts.
• Surgical Blades. Keep these in their packaging. You can always make a handle from wood when needed.

The next items you want to add to your kit are:

• A Condom. Make sure it’s a plain one; condoms are relatively durable and can be used as water holding bags, roughly 36 fl. oz. / 1 L. You can also store a plastic bag but a condom will take up less space. If using a condom, you have to fill it from a place that has good water pressure, like a waterfall. If you’re getting water from a river/stream, opt for a plastic bag instead.
• A Candle.