Ropes & Knots PO’s

Prepare any tool with an enclosed handle for hoisting

1. For Hoisting, tie a Bowline with a Safety or Figure Eight Follow Through around the enclosed handle or opening. 2. Attach a Tag Line with a safety near the bottom of the tool, utilizing a second rope or in-line. Note: The Tag Line can be tied with a Bowline or Clove Hitch. Saw: Place the Hoist Line/Knot on the top guard handle; Place the Tag Line/Knot on the bottom/lower handle. Fan: Place the Hoist Line/Knot on the top handle; Place the Tag Line/Knot on the bottom of tool. 3. If tying these tools in-line, the following knots shall be utilized: a. Double Bowline on a Bight b. Double Figure Eight on a Bight

Overhand Knot (Safety)

1. Form a Loop in the rope and pass the end through the Loop. Note: To secure Hitchesand Knots, a Safety shall be applied upon completion when necessary. 2. Take the "Tail" end and wrap it around the standing part, passing it thorugh the loop created to demonstrate the safety. 3. The Safety must be snug against the Hitch or Knot.

Figure Eight on a Bight

1. Form a large Bight. 2. Form a Loop with the Bight. 3. Pass the Bight under and around the Standing part. 4. Thread the Bight through the Loop. 5. Pull on the Bight and the Standing part tight to form the knot. Note: The "Family of 8's" is a secure knot in which a safety is not required. However, for consistency of teaching students and not to confuse them during testing, we recommend a safety be instructed.

Bowline

1. Form an overhand Loop in the Standing part of the rope. 2. Pass the Working end up through the Loop (Visualize rabbit jumps out of the hole). 3. Pass the Working end over the Loop, under and around the Standing part (Visualize rabbit runs around the tree). 4. Pass the Working end down through the Loop (visualize rabbit jumps in the hole). 5. The Tail must be on the inside of the larger Loop created. Note: If the Tail is located on the outside of the Loop, it is tied incorrectly and a failure. 6. Pull the Tail tight and dress the knot to form the Bowline. 7. A Safety must be tied on the Loop and snug against the knot.

Prepare an Uncharged Hose Line for Hoisting

1. Grasp the nozzle and fold it onto the hose creating approximately a 5-foot fold. 2. Ensure the bale is closed and laying against the hose. 3. Tie a Clove Hitch with a Safety around the tip of the nozzle and the hose it is folded against. 4. Place a Half Hitch directly on the coupling of the nozzle and hose,ensuring all the slack is removed and rope is taut. 5. Place a second (2nd) Half Hitch around the folded hose approximately 12 inches from the end of the fold. This creates a handle to assist in grasping and lifting the hose into the building. 6. A Tag Line is NOT needed.

Clove Hitch around an Object

1. Pass the Working end around an object 2. Cross over the Standing part and pass around the object a second time in the same direction. 3. Thread the end under itself and pull the ends tight to form the Clove Hitch. The Working and Standing part of the rope should be in the opposite directions (Visualize traffic traveling both directions under the overpass). 4. A Safety must be tied and snug against the Hitch.

Figure Eight Around an Object or Follow Through

1. Tie a loose Figure Eight. 2. Pass the Working end around an object. 3. Thread the Working end through the Figure Eight, following the entire knot in reverse. The Tail must be beside the Standing part. 4. Pull tight and snug to form the knot. Note: The "Family of 8's" is a secure knot in which a safety is not required. However, for consistency of teaching students and not to confuse them during testing, we recommend a safety be instructed. Note: If tying inline on an enclosed handle you would use a Double Figure eight on a bight. This would be accomplished by making a large Bight in the rope and following steps (1) through (4) above.

Prepare a Pick Head (Fire Axe) for hoisting

1. With the handle of the axe toward the building, tie a Clove Hitch with a Safety on the handle against the head of the axe. 2. Place a Half Hitch around the blade of the axe head. 3. Place a second (2nd) Half Hitch on the handle approximately 4 inches from the end. 4. Attach a Tag Line with a safety near the bottom of the tool, above the Clove Hitch, utilizing a second rope or in-line

Prepare a Pike Pole for hoisting

1. With the head of the pike pole toward the building, tie a Clove Hitch with a Safety on the handle 3⁄4 the length of the pike pole from the head (1/4 from the end of the handle). 2. Place a Half Hitch midway between the Clove Hitch and the head of the pike pole. 3. Place a second (2nd) Half Hitch on the head of the pike pole. 4. Attach a Tag Line with a safety near the bottom of the tool, above the Clove Hitch, utilizing a second rope or in-line.

Prepare a Ladder for hoisting

Note: For hoisting - Rope should be between ladder and building. For lowering - Rope should be on outside of ladder. 1. Tie a large Loop, Figure Eight on a Bight. 2. Slip the Loop through the rungs 1/3 the length of the ladder (9th rung from the butt). 3. BringtheLoopupandslipitoverbothtipsoftheladder. 4. Tighten the Loop on the ladder by pulling the slack out. The Figure Eight should be in the area between the hooks and the 11th rung. 5. AttachaTagLinewithasafetyonthebottomrungoftheladder,utilizinga second rope or in-line.

Figure Eight Bend

Note: Joining two (2) ropes of equal/same diameter. If equal/same diameter ropes are not available, then the diameter of the ropes shall be verbalized. 1. Place two ropes of equal diameter lying parallel, with one rope above the other. Ensure the Working ends are pointing in opposite directions. 2. Tie a loose Figure Eight in one of the ropes. 3. With the second rope, place the Working end beside the Tail of the first knot. 4. Thread the Working end through the Figure Eight, following the entire knot in reverse. Both Tails must be beside the Standing part of both ropes (Opposite ends). Note: The "Family of 8's" is a secure knot in which a safety is not required. However, for consistency of teaching students and not to confuse them durning testing we recommend a safety be instructed.

Becket Bend or Sheet Bend

Note: Joining two(2) ropes of unequal diameter. If unequal/different ropes are not available, then the larger diameter rope shall be verbalized. 1. Form a Bight with the larger diameter rope 2. Pass the Working end of the smaller diameter rope through the Bight and around both sides (Standing parts) of Bight. 3. Thread the Working end of the smaller diameter rope under itself and around both sides of the Bight. 4. Pull the ends tight to form the Becket Bend. 5. A Safety must be tied with the Tail of both ropes and snug against the knot.

Tag Line

Note: Utilized to control tools and equipment bein hoisted. 1. With a second rope, tie a Clove Hitch with a Safety near or at the bottom of the object ... or ... a bowline can be utilized for objects with enclosed handles. 2. If tying the tool in-line (in the middle of the rope), the excess rope is the tag line. You may need to tie a Clove Hitch on a Bight at the bottom of the tool.