Ropework - Pioneering Projects

Ropework1

RopeworkStopper knotsStopper knots are used as atemporary method of stopping a ropefrom fraying or as a method of lockingother knots which maybe prone tolossening.The knots are theOverhand KnotFigure of Eight KnotOverhand Knot2.ROPEWORK1.The Overhand Knot canbe used to create a loopby doubling the ropeand then tying the knot2.1.Figure of Eight3.4.2

Joining KnotReef KnotJoining knots are used for joining ropesof different thickness together. The ReefKnot and the Fisherman’s Knot areused when joining ropes of the samethickness together whereas the SheetBend is better suited to ropes of differentthickness.The Joining Knots areThe Reef KnotThe Sheet BendThe Fisherman’s Knot1.2.4.3.The Reef Knot is used for tyingbandages because when tied itlies flat.Sheet bend1.4.2.5.When tied with light and heavylines it may be necessary tosecure with a stopper knot orcomplete a number of turns as itStage 33.3Main page

Fisherman’s Knot3.4.1.2.This knot is particularly usefulfor tying fishing line togetherROPEWORKFixing KnotsFixing knots are those knots whichare best suited to fixing a rope to apole or object. The Clove Hitch andthe Round Turn and two half hitchesare the main knots used for fixing.The Marline Hitch is used forattaching the rungs to a rope ladder.When you need to drag a log or starta diagonal lashing you use theTimber Hitch. The Highwayman’sHitch is a fun knot which can be used1.to fix a rope to a branch so as to climbup or down a tree. The beauty of thisknot is that it can be removed from theground by pulling on the slip loop. Thefixing knots are:The Clove HitchThe Round Turn and twohalf hitchesThe Highwayman’s HitchThe Marline HitchTimber HitchClove Hitch2.3.The Clove Hitch is normally used forfixing to a pole when starting a lashingThe Clove Hitch can also be tiedusing two loops which are passedover the top of a pole4

Round Turn and two half hitches3.2.1.4.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 Hitch1.4.3.Load5Slip loopMain page

Marline Hitch2.3.1.2.ROPEWORK1.Timber Hitch3.Strain on ropekeeps knot in place4.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.6

Bowline1.2.4.3.Figure of Eight Loop1.2.Karabiner4.3.7Main page

Manharness Hitch3.2.1.ROPEWORKFriction 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 thekarabiner and the rope.3.1.4.5.2.8

Italian HitchThis part of therope held byclimber2.3.Karabiner isattached toclimbers beltor belay1.WhippingLoad or strain onropeIn order to prevent a rope from fraying awhipping 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.4.1.Pull this end of thread to pullloop under the whipping2.3.Place end of whipping threadthrough loop before pulling loopunder whipping to secure9Main page

Splicing RopesROPEWORKBack spliceLong spliceA back splice is used to prevent a ropefrom fraying. It is created by unravellingabout 120 mm of the rope end. The firststep is to make a Crown Knot. Thentaking each strand in turn plait it back intothe rope. This is done by skipping onelay of the rope and passing the strandunder 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.A long splice is used to join two ends of arope. The first step is to unravel about120mm of the end of each rope. The strandsare spread apart and placed together equallyas shown. The rope is then plaited as withthe back splice - skip one lay and under thenext. Tidy up ends by burning.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.10

3.2.1.lay - otherwise the splice will not plaitcorrectly. When the strands have beenplaced equally under the ‘lays’ plait the ropeas in the back splice - skip one lay andunder the next. Tidy up the ends by burningwhen finishedUnravel the end of the rope by about120mm. Turn the rope to create the loop.Observe the lay of the rope. It will have 3strands and it is necessary to place a strandunder each lay of the rope. Be careful not toget your strands crossed - under the same4.5.6.Commando ropeeach soldier was given a piece of ropeabout 2 metres in length, and 20mm 25mm in diameter, with an eye splice onone end and a toggle on the other,secured by means of another eyesplice. The open eye splice was largeenough to allow a toggle to fit throughwith no danger of the toggle slipping.This is a varsitile piece of equipment thatevery Scout should have. It has manyand varied uses on hikes, in pioneeringor for emergency measures and lifesaving.The toggle rope came into prominenceduring the second world war, especiallywith commandos, who often in the courseof their duties had to scale walls, climbcliffs, cross deep streams. Most of thetasks required large quantities of bulkyrope to be carried. Rather than burden afew men with such an awkward load,100mm2 metres in length11Main page

LashingsROPEWORKLashings are knots which usea combination of knots andwrapping to create a bindingwhich holds poles togethersecurely.Traditional Square LashingTraditional 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 tightenthe lashing. Finish with a CloveHitchDiagonal LashingThe 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 Hitch12

Norwegian LashingThe 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 KnotJapanese Lashingdirection of the wrappings so as to have twosingle strands working in opposite directions,best done around a pole and frap the lashing.Finish with a Reef KnotThe Japanese Lashing is similar in techniqueto the Norwegian lashing in that it is used byhalving the lashing rope. Start by halving thelashing rope and creating a secure looparound the poles. Using the two strandsmake the wrappings as shown. Switch the13Main page

Shear LashingThe shear lashing is used to join twopoles together to create shear legs whenthe butt of the poles are spread apart andto create a long pole and keep themparallel. Two lashings are required one ateach end of the overlapping poles. Start withand finish with a Clove Hitch. Wrap and frapas shown. In the case of a shear legs use afrapping whereas in the case of joining twopoles do not use a frapping.Tripod LashingROPEWORKDanish Tripod lashingTraditional Tripod lashingTurnique LashingThe 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 string14

The problemYou need to place a rope on abranch on the opposite side of aravine or river - how do you get therope around the branch.Rope problem - how to placea rope on a branch thatcannot 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.15Main page

Rope management on rockROPEWORKBelayWhen 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 incase of an accident.16

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 equipmentto the beltSafety 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 reasons17Main page