Ropework

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RopeworkStopper knotsStopper knots are used as atemporary method of stopping a ropefrom fraying or as a method of lockingother knots which maybe prone to

Overhand Knotlossening.The knots are the

Overhand KnotFigure of Eight Knot

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The Overhand Knot canbe used to create a loopby doubling the ropeand then tying the knot

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Figure of Eight 3.

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Joining KnotReef Knot

Joining knots are used for joining ropesof different thickness together. The ReefKnot and the Fisherman’s Knot are1.used when joining ropes of the samethickness together whereas the SheetBend is better suited to ropes of differentthickness.The Joining Knots are

The Reef Knot2. The Sheet Bend

The Fisherman’s Knot

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The Reef Knot is used for tyingbandages because when tied itlies flat.

Sheet bend

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When tied with light and heavy3.lines it may be necessary tosecure with a stopper knot orcomplete a number of turns as itStage 3

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Fisherman’s Knot 3.

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This knot is particularly usefulfor tying fishing line together

Fixing KnotsFixing knots are those knots which to fix a rope to a branch so as to climbare best suited to fixing a rope to a up or down a tree. The beauty of thispole or object. The Clove Hitch and knot is that it can be removed from thethe Round Turn and two half hitches ground by pulling on the slip loop. Theare the main knots used for fixing. fixing knots are:-The Marline Hitch is used for The Clove Hitchattaching the rungs to a rope ladder. The Round Turn and twoWhen you need to drag a log or start half hitchesa diagonal lashing you use the The Highwayman’s HitchTimber Hitch. The Highwayman’s The Marline HitchHitch is a fun knot which can be used Timber Hitch

1. Clove Hitch 3.

2.The Clove Hitch is normally used forfixing to a pole when starting a lashing

The Clove Hitch can also be tiedusing two loops which are passedover the top of a pole

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Round Turn and two half hitches

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4.This knot is normally used tosecure a rope to a tree or pole as itwill not slip under strain. Normallyused in boating for tying up a boatto the pier.

2.Highwayman’s Hitch

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Slip loopLoad

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Marline Hitch2.

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3.Timber Hitch

Strain on ropekeeps knot in place

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Loop KnotsThe Bowline, Figure of eight loop and Manharness Knot are essentially climbingknots. Each knot creates a loop that will not slip under strain. The Bowline isnormally used to tie yourself onto the end of a rope. The Figure of eight loop isused to attach a rope to a karabiner however it can also be used to tie yourself onto the end or middle of a rope. The Manharness Knot can do the same jobhowever this knot is normally used to tie on the middle of a rope.

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Bowline

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Figure of Eight Loop

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Karabiner

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Manharness Hitch 2. 3.

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Friction Knots4.

Two friction knots are illustrated herethey are the Pruzzik Knot and theItalian Hitch. Both knots are normallyused in climbing and caving. ThePruzzik Knot has the unusuallyfeature, it is non-slip when underpressure and can be slid along arope when pressure is remove, auseful knot for climbing up a rope.The Italian Hitch is used with akarabiner and allows a person to belower down a rope under control dueto the friction created between the

3.karabiner and the rope.

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Italian Hitch This part of therope held byclimber

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Karabiner isattached toclimbers belt

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Whipping Load or strain onIn order to prevent a rope from fraying a ropewhipping is applied to the end of a rope.Nylon and plastic ropes are easily preventedfrom fraying by sealing the end of the ropeby melting the fibres using a candle orsoldering iron.

4.Pull this end of thread to pull1.loop under the whipping

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Place end of whipping threadthrough loop before pulling loopunder whipping to secure3.

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Splicing Ropes

Back splice Long spliceA back splice is used to prevent a rope A long splice is used to join two ends of afrom fraying. It is created by unravelling rope. The first step is to unravel aboutabout 120 mm of the rope end. The first 120mm of the end of each rope. The strandsstep is to make a Crown Knot. Then are spread apart and placed together equallytaking each strand in turn plait it back into as shown. The rope is then plaited as withthe rope. This is done by skipping one the back splice - skip one lay and under thelay of the rope and passing the strand next. Tidy up ends by burning.under the next. Move to the next strandand repeat this process until all thestands are plaited back into the rope.Place the splice on the ground and roll itunder your foot to work in the plait. Tidyup the frayed ends of the splice byburning off ends.

Eye SpliceThe eye splice is slightly more complicatedthat the other splicing methods however theplaiting method is the same. Normally it isnecessary to have an awl or pointed dowelto enable the lay of the rope to be opened.This is done by twisting the rope, pushingthe dowel between the lay to create a holeso that the plaiting strand can be passedthrough the lay of the rope.

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lay - otherwise the splice will not plaitUnravel the end of the rope by aboutcorrectly. When the strands have been120mm. Turn the rope to create the loop.placed equally under the ‘lays’ plait the ropeObserve the lay of the rope. It will have 3as in the back splice - skip one lay andstrands and it is necessary to place a strandunder the next. Tidy up the ends by burningunder each lay of the rope. Be careful not towhen finishedget your strands crossed - under the same

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Commando rope each soldier was given a piece of ropeabout 2 metres in length, and 20mm -The toggle rope came into prominence25mm in diameter, with an eye splice onduring the second world war, especiallyone end and a toggle on the other,with commandos, who often in the coursesecured by means of another eyeof their duties had to scale walls, climbsplice. The open eye splice was largecliffs, cross deep streams. Most of theenough to allow a toggle to fit throughtasks required large quantities of bulkywith no danger of the toggle slipping.rope to be carried. Rather than burden aThis is a varsitile piece of equipment thatfew men with such an awkward load,every Scout should have. It has manyand varied uses on hikes, in pioneeringor for emergency measures and lifesaving.100mm

2 metres in length

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LashingsTraditional Square Lashing

Lashings are knots which usea combination of knots andwrapping to create a bindingwhich holds poles togethersecurely.

Traditional square lashingThis lashing is used for joiningpoles that cross at right angles. Theknot is started using a CloveHitch. The free end of the rope isthen passed around the poles asshown and pulled tightly after eachturn. When five or six turns havebeen made you twist the rope anddo a number of frappings betweenthe two poles. The frappings pullthe wrappings together and tighten

Diagonal Lashingthe lashing. Finish with a CloveHitch

The diagonal lashing is used tolash together poles which crosseach other at an angle. Thislashing is started by using atimber hitch. Once secure thewrapping is created as shown.Then the frapping and finishingwith a Clove Hitch

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Norwegian Lashing

The Norwegian Lashing iseasier to lash and results in atighter lashing due to the factthat you are tightening therope against itself. Thelashing is created by halvingthe lashing rope and startingat the middle around theupright pole. Make fourwrappings by pulling andchanging over the lashingropes. Then create a numberof frappings in a similarfashion and finish the lashingwith a Reef Knot

Japanese Lashing

direction of the wrappings so as to have twoThe Japanese Lashing is similar in techniquesingle strands working in opposite directions,to the Norwegian lashing in that it is used bybest done around a pole and frap the lashing.halving the lashing rope. Start by halving theFinish with a Reef Knotlashing rope and creating a secure loop

around the poles. Using the two strandsmake the wrappings as shown. Switch the

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Shear Lashing

The shear lashing is used to join two each end of the overlapping poles. Start withpoles together to create shear legs when and finish with a Clove Hitch. Wrap and frapthe butt of the poles are spread apart and as shown. In the case of a shear legs use ato create a long pole and keep them frapping whereas in the case of joining twoparallel. Two lashings are required one at poles do not use a frapping.

Tripod Lashing

Danish Tripod lashing

Traditional Tripod lashing

Turnique Lashing

The turnique lashing is a quick andeasy lashing to create. It is createdusing a closed loop of rope ( heavierthan normal lashing rope) placedaround the poles. A piece of stick isthen placed through the loop andtwisted until tight. The stick is thensecured to one of the poles with apiece of string

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The problemYou need to place a rope on a

Rope problem - how to place branch on the opposite side of aravine or river - how do you get thea rope on a branch thatrope around the branch.cannot be reachedYou start by using a lighter ropethan the rope you intending usingfor your bridge or swing. Create aloop in the end of the rope andplace a small stick across the loopusing the lay of the rope to hold thestick in place.Next you need some light line orstring and attach a hooked stick onthe its end. See illustration.

The heavy line is thrown over thebranch - or you can use a light linewith a weigh on its end first andthen draw the heavy line over thebranch.Use the hooked stick attached to alight line and try to pass it throughthe loop. Once you snag the looppull the heavy line to you. You nowhave your line attached to theopposite bank and it will be easy tocomplete your bridge or swing.

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Rope management on rock

BelayWhen ever you work withropes at a height it isnecessary to belayyourself to fixed object(rockface,wall) to prevent afall. A belay is the methodthat is used to tie yourself tothis object. This is doneusing certified equipmentsuch as tapes, climbingropes, chocks and metalpegs. A belay should befixed to at least two pointsin case one point fails.Setting up a belay correctlyrequires training and shouldnot be attempted unlessyou know what you aredoing. Your life maydepend on it.

AbseilingAbseiling is a means of lowering yourself from aheight using a rope in a controlled manner. It is nota sport in itself but rather a technique used in rockclimbing, mountaineering and caving. Specialisedtraining is required and should not be attempteduntil you know what you are doing. The techniqueis an important skill to know for emergencysituations, in the case of a quick escape in badweather, to assist people on difficult terrain or in

case of an accident.

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Rock climber use specialist climbingbelts which are designed to preventback injury in the event of a fall. Thebelts also have anchor points andloops to connect ropes and equipment

to the belt

Safety helmetsSafety helmets are a must forall rock climbing activities.Helmets are made to standardsizes and all have adjustablestrapping. When you place thehelmet on your head adjust it tosuit, and tighten strap under thechin.

KarabinersKarabiners are standardclimbing equipment.They are strong metallinks which are used toconnect equipment andropes to the rock and theclimber. Screw gatekarabiners are preferredfor safety reasons

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While walking and climbing mountains youwill often find that you have to scramble oversmall outcrops of rock and steep ground.This is not technically rock climbing and oftenyou may not need a rope however it is oftenadvisable to use one for safety.The climbing of a rock or outcrop is done bytechnique rather than brute force. Your legsprovide the lift and your hands grip andbalance - just like climbing a ladder. You donot pull yourself up by your hands.When climbing you move one limb at a time,three points of contact should be maintainedat all time. Move slowly and carefully andnever jump for a hold.

Move slowly andcarefully keepingthree points ofcontact

Handholds come in all sorts ofshapes and sizes and often youwill have to move and manipulateyour fingers to get a good solidgrip

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Climbing techniqueThe lead climber climbs first and as he/sheclimbs they place ‘protection’ in small cracksand slots within the rock face. If they fall the‘protection’ will stop or slow down their fall.The second climber protects the lead climber- loosening and tighten the rope as required.When the lead climber has complete theclimb or a section of the climb known as apitch, he/she then belays himself/herself andbrings up the second. The second removesthe ‘protection’ as they climb

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How to climb up a‘chimney’

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