9781422287750

14 Ropes & Knots for Survival

running ends parallel to the standing parts. This type of variation knot is called a “thief knot.”

Overhand knot (Fig B) This knot is of little use on its own, except to make an end-stop on a rope

and to prevent the end of a rope from untwisting. It does, however, form a part of many other knots. It is tied by making a loop near the end of the rope and passing the running end through the loop. Figure-eight (Fig C) This is used to form a larger knot than would be formed by an overhand knot at the end of a rope. It is used at the end of a rope to prevent the ends from slipping through a fastening or loop in another rope.

(B) The overhand knot is a multipurpose loop and useful when combined with other knots, while (C) the figure-eight

To tie this knot, a loop is made in the standing part of the rope, and the running end is then passed around the standing part back over one side of the loop and down through the loop. The running end is then pulled tight to secure the formation. knot is commonly used to prevent loose rope slipping through a hole.