Square Knot (reef knot):  This is a simple knot that is used to tie two ropes or the ends of one rope together.  The knot is more or less flat and applies less pressure on the skin than most other knots.

French Bowline Knot:  This is a good knot for binding wrists and ankles because it will not tighten and cut off circulation.  Use 5/16 or 3/8 inch rope for binding limbs.

Clove Hitch:  The clove hitch is probably the easiest and most used hitch.  It can also be used to secure a rope to a bed post.  It does NOT work well on large or smooth surfaces and should never be used for suspension.  It is also NOT useful for more than one direction of pull against it.  It should NOT be used on wrists and ankles or for that matter around the body, because it becomes tighter as pressure is applied to it.

Half Hitch:  This is a simple hitch and is better than the clove hitch and can be used to tie a rope to a regular sized bed post.  It should only be used for binding a rope to a post and works best on smaller post.  It is also very easy to untie.  It should NOT be used on wrists and ankles or around the body.   It should NOT be used for suspension.

Slipping Reef Knot:  This is tied the same way as the square knot, but you fold a loop in left rope end after step one in the above example of a square knot.  Then continue tying like a square knot.  This gives a quick release.

Anchor Hitch:  This is a more complex hitch, but is much stronger than the half hitch.  It is also more complicated to untie.  This knot can be used for suspension.  This hitch will not deform under stress.  It should NOT be used on wrists and ankles or for that matter around the body at all.  All hitches tend to tighten under pressure and will cut of blood circulation.

Lark's Head or Cow Hitch:  Avoid using the loop shown below around a pole.  It is considered weak and does not provide a means to untie it when used in suspension.  Avoid using this loop around a body limb.  However, it can be used around the main torso.