Erecting Flagstaff

INTRODUCTION It is a practice to have a flag raised during a camp. Flagpoles are not always available at campsites, so it is necessary for cadets to improvise one from the available materials at the campsite if necessary.

PARTS OF A FLAGSTAFF  2 x 3.0m spars  3 x pegs (plus an additional peg/mallet to peg in the last peg)  1 x long nylon rope (flag line/halyard)  1 x pulley (optional)  1 x 1.0m twine/bootlace (manharness)  2 x 3.0m 0.5 inch manila hemp (round )  3 x 5.5m 0.5 inch manila hemp (guylines) Minimum overlap of 1m and RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE maximum overlap of ⅓L 1. Pegs Round  Hammer in the 3 pegs into lashings position. o 120º to one another, L forming an equilateral triangle. Flag staff (cross section)  The distance of the pegs from Flag staff the base of the flagstaff should be equal to the distance of the middle 120º Side view to the base of the flagstaff 120º 120º Guyline Round lashing χ Peg  Use round lashings to lash the 2 spars together.  The thicker pole will be at the bottom of the flagstaff. χ  The length of the overlapping portion should be at least 1/3 to 1/5 of the whole flagstaff. o 1/2 to 1/3 of each spar 2. Guylines  Form the guylines by using clove hitches to secure the 3 pieces of manila hemp to the middle of the flagstaff, in the middle 5cm between the 2 round lashings. 3 Guylines o Must be of downwards force (i.e. cut upwards) Round o When pressure is applied, the lashings standing ends will be at the “12 5cm o’clock”, “4 o’clock” and the “8 o’clock” (120° to one another) o 1 of the guylines must be of opposite direction e.g. 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock in clockwise direction, 12 o’clock in anti-clockwise direction  There should be no gaps between the clove hitches 3. Pulley  If there is a pulley, use the twine to tie it to the top of the flagstaff.  If there is no pulley, a loop can be improvised from the manharness or any secure loop .  Tie the free ends of the manharness knot tightly to the top of the flagstaff using west country whipping.  Ensure the loop is facing 6 o’clock direction

Whipping

Flag staff Manharness loop

4. Erecting flagstaff  Raise the flagstaff with one person holding it  Adjust the flagstaff until it is vertical, and then secure the 3 guylines to their pegs simultaneously.

SECURING A FLAG TO THE FLAGPOLE 1. A flag has 2 loose ends used for securing it to a flag line/halyard. 2. Secure the 2 ends of the flag line/halyard to the 2 loose ends of the flag using a (for ropes of different thickness) or a fisherman’s knot (for ropes of equal thickness). 3. Pull one end of the flag line slightly to check if the flag will be raised in the correct orientation. 4. End off by tying a using the end of the halyard. Loop back and cut the halyard itself, making a few rounds upwards till a short length is left. Tuck the end underneath the halyard itself.

PHS NPCC Page 2 of 2 Cadet Leader Training Course 2011 Handbook