Knots

OUTDOOR|KNOTS

INTRODUCTION TO KNOTS

Materials of Ropes

There are two categories of ropes: natural fibre and synthetic fibre. Synthetic fibre ropes are much stronger and have a longer lifespan as compared to natural fibre ropes.

Example of Natural Fibre: Manila Hemp

Example of Synthetic Fibre: Nylon

Maintenance of Rope

Keep all ropes away from ultraviolet light and sunlight as much as possible.
Store all ropes in a well-ventilated room.
All ropes should be dry and clean before storage.
Keep all ropes away from chemical contamination.
Avoid having ropes in the same position for a long period of time as it may form kinks (e.g. coiling the rope and leaving it in the same position for a long time).
Avoid overloading the ropes.
Handle the ropes with care (e.g. by not dragging it on the floor unnecessarily).

COMMON TERMS

Purpose of Common Terms

To minimise confusion when teaching.

Common Terms

The working end is the active end of the rope you tie a knot with.
The standing end is the inactive end of the rope not really used when tying.
A bight is an enclosed area formed by the rope.
Loop is formed when one part of the rope overlaps with another to form a circle.
a. An overhand loop is when the working end lies on top of the standing end.
b. An underhand loop is when the working end goes beneath the standing end.
A turn is when the rope forms half a round around an object.
A round turn is when the rope forms one and a half round around an object.
To dress a knot is to adjust the cuts and bends of the knot so that it serves its function.
To capsize a knot is to deform a knot such that it no longer serves its function.

COILING

Purpose of Coiling

Ropes will be neater and easier to store
Ropes will not tangle up easily
Can be used to differentiate between lengths of ropes

Types of Coilings

Simple Coil
Old Navy Coil

WHIPPING

Purpose of Whipping

Prevent worn sections of a rope from fraying further
- This is not limited to the end of the rope

Types of Whipping

Simple Whipping
West Country Whipping

STOPPER KNOTS

Functions of Stopper Knots

To prevent the end of the rope from fraying
To stop the rope from slipping through a hole
To add weight to a particular point of the rope
To provide a handhold

Practical Application of Stopper Knots

To stop the end of a thread from going through the eye of a needle

Types of Stopper Knots

Thumb Knot
Figure-of-Eight Knot

LOOP KNOTS

General Function of Loop Knots

To form a loop that serves its function

Types of Loop Knots

Bowline
- Specific Function:
  - To form an un-adjustable loop that does not jam or slip easily even under severe strain
- Practical Application:
  - Useful in rescue works
- How-to-Check:
  - Working end lies within the bight
  - 'π' shape on one side, figure-of-eight shape on the other side
Manharness
- Specific Function:
  - To form a loop that acts as a handle for hauling objects
- Practical Application:
  - To form halyard for flagstaff
- How-to-Check:
  - There is a loop between 2 parallel lines
Tent Guy Loop
- Specific Function:
  - To create an adjustable loop to act as a pulley to tighten guylines
- Practical Application:
  - To tighten guylines for tent pitching and flagstaff
- How-to-Check:
  - Slip knot should not adjust when tent guy loop is being tied

BENDS

General Function of Bends

To join two ropes together

Types of Bends

Reef Knot
- Specific Function:
  - To join two ropes of the same thickness together
- Practical Application:
  - For parcel tying and first-aid bandaging
- How-to-Check:
  - It should be a flat knot with an interlocking mechanism
  - Both working ends are on the same side
Sheet Bend
- Specific Function:
  - To join two ropes of unequal thickness together
- Practical Application:
  - To attach a flag to a halyard
- How-to-Check:
  - Both working ends are on the same side
  - The thinner rope must jam into the thicker one, otherwise, it will be untied
Fisherman's Knot
- Specific Function:
  - To join two slippery ropes together, especially those of small and equal diameters
- Practical Application:
  - Joining of fishing lines
- How-to-Check:
  - 2 sliding thumb knots which will lock against each other when standing ends are pulled
  - Thumb knots are parallel to each other in an up-down-up-down pattern

SHORTENING FORMATIONS

General Function of Shortening Formations

To shorten ropes without cutting them

Types of Shortening Formations

Sheepshank
- Specific Function:
  - Shorten ropes without cutting them
    - Also used to bypass worn sections of the rope
- Practical Application:
  - Used in nautical and maritime operations when ropes are very costly or when cutting is not applicable
- How-to-Check:
  - 3 parallel lines
  - 2 half hitches with both ends of the rope on opposite sides of the knot
  - Has to be kept under tension or it will be untied
Chain Knot
- Specific Function:
  - To shorten ropes, especially those of small diameters
- Practical Application:
  - In NPCC, male cadets shorten their bootlaces using this knot
- How-to-Check:
  - Can be undone quickly by a pull

HITCHES

General Function of Hitches

To attach a rope to an object

Types of Hitches

Clove Hitch
- Specific Function:
  - To tie a rope to an object like spar or ring
    - Works best when the working end is pulled tangentially to the knot
- Practical Application:
  - To start and anchor rope obstacles
  - Commonly used to start off a lashing
- How-to-Check:
  - 2 parallel lines at the back and 1 cut at the front
Timber Hitch
- Specific Function:
  - To attach a rope to a cylindrical object
    - Works best when pulled in a perpendicular direction
- Practical Application:
  - Logging
  - In NPCC, the start of diagonal lashing
- How-to-Check:
  - Loop is formed around standing end
  - The rope is twisted around the working end itself
Marlinspike Hitch
- Specific Function:
  - To attach a rope to a rod to form a handle
- Practical Application:
  - In nautical activities
  - Tying of rope handles
- How-to-Check:
  - Loop in between 2 parallel lines
Highwayman's Hitch
- Specific Function:
  - To use in situations that require quick release of ropes
- How-to-Check:
  - 2 parallel lines at the back
  - Can be quickly released with a pull

Practical Demonstration

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