COMMON TERMS OF ROPE
Working End is the rope end that is used to tie a knot Standing End is the inactive rope end Loop is rope formed into a circle, but without being crossed over itself Bight is the enclosed area that is formed by a loop Turn is rope that passes around only one side of an object Round Turn is rope that completes one and a half circles around an object
Working End Bight
Loop
Turn Round Turn
Standing End
USEFUL POINTS TO REMEMBER Never use two ropes of different materials together, as only the more rigid rope will work under strain A rope that is twice the diameter of another has four times its strength A knot uniting two ropes reduces the strength of the unit to about half that of the weaker rope.
5 Categories of knots 1. Stopper Knots 2. Loop Knots 3. Hitches 4. Bends 5. Shortening Formations
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Stopper knots Prevent ropes from fraying To stop rope from slipping through a knot or hole To weight the rope To provide a handhold to prevent the rope from slipping through the hands.
Knot Name of Knot Use(s) Thumb Knot Difficult to untie due to strain acting on one point
Figure-of- Tighter, much easier to be untied as there Eight are more gaps, loops and cutting which allow equal distribution of force on the knots.
Loop knots
Knot Name of Knot Use(s) Bowline It forms an unadjustable loop. Does not jam or slip easily, despite under severe strain Used to secure a rope to a ring
Manharness The loop can act as a handle for hauling of objects. It provides an alternative to tie a loop in the middle of a rope instead of at the end.
Tent Guy Loop Tie a slipknot before inserting the working end to it. Thus this creates an adjustable loop. Acts as a pulley giving mechanical advantage in tightening of the guylines Fireman’s It is used to lower a casualty from higher chair grounds
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Hitches Hitches are used to tie a rope to an object, like spar, or ring
Knot Name of Knot Use(s) Clove Hitch Used to start and anchor rope obstacles. Used to start off when tying a lashing.
Rolling Hitch It is used extensively to start and anchor rope obstacles.
Round turn It can secure a rope to a spar, eye or ring. and two half It is able to turn 360 degrees hitches
Timber hitch It is highly adjustable and is often used for logging purposes. Tightness of the hitch depends on the strain on it. However, it is very easy to untie.
Highwayman’s It can undo itself when one of the ends is hitch pulled. Thus, it applies in situations that require quick release of rope
Marlinspike Used in nautical activities as well as making rope ladders
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Bends For joining two ropes
Knot Name of Use(s) Knot Reef knot A flat knot, with the two working ends on the same side. Use for parcel tying as well as First Aid Bandaging because it is flat and easy to tie/untie Can be easily undone by ‘capsizing’ the knot Sheet Bend Joining ropes together, especially those of unequal thickness. Quick and easy to tie and untie.
Fisherman’s Made of 2 sliding thumb knots, which knot will lock with each other when strain is applied. Often used in joining slippery ropes or ropes with small and equal diameters.
Shortening Formations
Knot Name of Use(s) Knot Sheepshank It shortens ropes without cutting them. It is used to bypass worn section in centre of the knot, it will thus, not be under strain. Chain knot Shorten ropes, especially those of small diameters. It can be undone quickly by a pull.
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Lashings
INTRODUCTION Lashing is a means of fastening two poles (or spars) together. There are 5 main types of lashings, namely the square lashing, diagonal lashing, gyn lashing, round lashing and shear lashing, each of which is designed for a particular purpose depending upon what use you put the poles to.
No matter what lashing you decide upon, it is important that you tie it correctly, neatly and securely: Make sure that all the turns are tightened as you go Ensure there is no overlapping in turns Ensure sufficient turns and frappings are made. Frapping binds the lashings and further tightens them Ensure minimum gaps in the lashings Keep the lashings neat by tucking in the ends of hitches
ROUND LASHING Used for joining 2 poles together Used in the construction of flagstaff
Method: o Start with a clove hitch around the both spars o Continue with nine or more turns, tightening the rope at every half-turn o End the lashing with a clove hitch.
GYN LASHING Use to bind 3 or more poles together for the construction of stand (eg. tripod)
Method: o Start with a clove hitch on one of the poles. o Wind the rope alternatively across spars. o Make a turn about at the first pole, before frapping. o End with a clove hitch on the last pole
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SQUARE LASHING
Used for securing 2 spars touching and crossing each other at the angle of 90 degrees.
Method: o Start with a clove hitch on the upright spar. Carry the end in front of the horizontal, behind the upright and down in front of the horizontal.
o Wind the rope alternatively on the two poles, using the in-out method. o Make about 4-5 turns. o Frap between the spars for 3-4 rounds.
o End with a clove hitch on the horizontal pole.
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DIAGONAL LASHING
Used to tie 2 spars together at angles other than right angles.
Method: o Start by tying a timber hitch across spars at the larger angle.
o Start the wrapping turns on the opposite diagonal to the timber hitch, i.e. make a few turns across the spars at the smaller angle o Make a turn around a spar, before continuing to wind across the spars at different direction. Ensure all the wrapping turns are parallel.
o Frap between the spars, i.e. going past and around one of the poles
o End with a clove hitch
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