Things to Know Know Your Knots The "working end" is the end of the rope which is manipulated the most while tying a knot Knots used in this program Overhand
Knots are essential to successful rigging. Knots should be as simple to untie as they are to tie. They should not be able to work themselves loose and should be tied, backed up, and dressed properly to allow easy inspection. A skillful rigger does not need to have a huge arsenal of knots to be safe and efficient. It is better to know a few knots and their application precisely than many knots with vague understanding.
All knots should be backed up unless otherwise specified!
Here is some useful terminology
The "standing part" is the main part of the rope
A "bight" is essentially an open loop:
The overhand knot is most commonly used as a backup knot. When used as a backup, it should be tied as close as possible to the knot with the running end laying along the rope.
Water Knot The water knot is primarily used for joining webbing together. An overhand knot is required on each end of the knot as a backup.
Figure 8
The figure 8 is heavily used in rappelling. It is recommended for tying in the running end of the rope as a stop knot so that you can not rappel of the end of a short rope.
Figure 8 on a Bight
The figure 8 on bight is tied by taking a bight of rope and tying a figure 8 in it. When used at the end of a rope it must be backed up. Common use is the tie in point of a tether and when a loop is desired mid-line.
When a figure 8 on a bight is tied mid-line the knot should be tied in a way that the loop is in the direction of the loading.see Directional Figure 8
Bowline The bowline is considered a preferred knot and a "must know" for rigging. Common uses are tying of tether to anchor and finishing off of rigs. The knot should be backed up and the dead end must always be inside of the loop when tied.
Grapevine (Double Fisherman's Bend)
The grapevine knot is the preferred knot to join two ropes of the same size. It is used to create a prusik sling and also can be used to join two ropes for rappelling. The Figure 8 Bend is the preferred over the grapevine for joining ropes for rappelling on because it is easier to untie after being loaded. This knot should be backed up on both ends
Prusik Knot
The prusik knot is tied around a rope to provide a loop that will slide freely under no load but grip tightly when loaded. Common uses are rescue situations to unload the troubled rappellers hardware and other situations which require a loop which will grip the rope.
Double Bowline
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