cadet instructors handbook - knots and lashings, 2012

AAC CADET INSTRUCTORS HANDBOOK KNOTS & LASHINGS2012

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AAC Cadet Instructors Handbook Knots and Lashings May 2012

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PREFACEAim 1. The aim of this publication is to provide Cadet Instructors with the information to conduct a lesson on knots and lashings. While this is currently not a Training Objective, it supports several of the fieldcraft lessons in the Cadet Unit Training TMP, 2002. These knots also satisfy the requirement for the Adventure Training Award. Level 2. This publication is not the source document however it is to be used as the reference for cadet fieldcraft training.

Gender 3. Words importing gender refer to both male and female unless specifically stated otherwise.

References 4. There are many examples on the web that demonstrate tying knots. Some are:

http://www.2020site.org/knots/ http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com http://www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php

AMENDMENTS1. The following amendments have been made to this publication.

Amendment List Number Date 1 May 12

Amended By (Print Name and Initials) Reprint

Date of Amending

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iiiCONTENTS

Page Preface Contents i iii Paragraph Cordage Care of cordage Storage Coiling cordage Whipping Knots The thumb knot The reef knot The granny knot The sheet bend The double sheet bend The timber hitch The clove hitch The round turn and two half hitches The draw hitch The bowline The fishermans bend The fishermans knot The sheep shank The truckies hitch The stopper hitch The rolling hitch Splicing The eye splice The back splice Lashings Square lashing Diagonal lashing 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.33 1.34


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KNOTS AND LASHINGS Types of cordage 1.01 The synthetic fibres used in rope manufacture are made from plastic materials and are stronger, though more elastic, than vegetable fibres. The synthetic fibre ropes most often used are: a. Nylon. Nylon rope is the most common synthetic fibre cordage in service use. It has the highest strength factor of all cordage but is also the most elastic. It is difficult to untie after strain has been applied, and care should be taken in the choice of knots. Polyester. Polyester rope is second in strength to nylon but is not so elastic. Unlike most other synthetics, it is very resistant to the effects of sunlight and for this reason is well suited for use in exposed positions, such as tie down ropes on vehicle canopies. Polypropylene. Polypropylene rope is not widely used in service. It is similar in strength to polyester but, unlike the majority of synthetics, has the advantage that it will float on water.

b.

c.

Care of cordage 1.02 The strength and useful life of cordage will be reduced considerably by improper care. Synthetic fibre is sensitive to heat and can be damaged by friction. All cordage deteriorates through long exposure to sunlight and is reduced in strength by sharp bends, kinks and sudden or snapping stresses. The fibres of cordage can be easily worn or cut by rubbing on sharp edges. Similarly, if grit works its way between the fibres, it will act as an internal abrasive. Cordage must be stored correctly, handled carefully and inspected frequently. Storage 1.03 It should be stored in a cool dry place with adequate ventilation and away from fumes such as paint, fuel etc. It must be dry when stored. Coiling cordage 1.04 Before returning cordage to the store it should be wound onto a spool or formed into a loose coil as illustrated below in figure 1.

Figure 1: Rolling Cordage

Also see:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4956121_coil-rope.html


1.05 How to Roll Cables. There are many things that need to be rolled up for storage or convenience. These include coaxial cable, garden hoses, electrical leads and rope. Many people just coil it over their arms, in their hands or even on the ground. Invariably, it develops twists and kinks which become worse over time. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MziOBf60Kn0&feature=related 1.06 To avoid these problems, there is a method of coiling the rope or cable that does not produce kinks and twists and makes it much easier to lay/run it out. It uses a normal coil and then an underhanded coil. This counters the twist developed in the normal coil. 1.07 It takes a little practice to perfect the method but once achieved, you will wonder why you ever had difficulty doing it! To unroll, you simply hold one end and throw the coils out along the ground. The only downside to this idea is if you lay the coil on the ground and then try to run the end out. It tends to tangle. 1.08 Once a cable has developed kinks in it, it is sometimes difficult to remove them. The best way to start rolling is to lay the cable all the way out on the ground and roll from one end. Watch the web videos to see how to do it. http://www.ehow.com/video_4435717_roll-audio-cables-prevent-tangles.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yPcJD7RVuY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccGwO8BisjU

Whipping 1.09 Unless prevented in some way, the ends of cordage will unravel. A simple knot can sometimes be used to prevent this but, for permanent work, all loose ends must be bound with twine. This is called whipping.

Figure 2: Whipping a Rope Also see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMq9KdOtSJ0


Knots 1.10 Knots, which include bends and hitches, are used to join two ropes together, to form a loop rope, to make a stop on a rope or to secure a rope to spars, hoops and rings. The most useful knots for general work in the field are described in the following paragraphs. The standing part of a rope is the end which cannot be worked because it is fixed or in use; this end is marked S in the diagrams. The running end of a rope is the end with which the knot is tied and is marked R in the diagrams. 1.11 The Thumb Knot. The thumb knot is used to give a temporary finish to the end of the rope, which has not been whipped, to prevent it from fraying, or to provide a stop to prevent a rope from slipping through a block or small ring. The thumb knot is illustrated in figure 3.

Figure 3: The Thumb Knot

1.12 The Reef Knot. The reef knot is used to join two ropes of equal, or approximately equal circumference. It is illustrated in figure 4.

Figure 4: The Reef Knot


1.13 The Granny and Thief Knots. Granny and thief knots look like a reef knot, but neither of these is safe as they will slip when a strain is put on both ropes. These knots are illustrated in figure 5.

Figure 5: The Granny and Thief knot

1.14 The Sheet Bend. The sheet bend is used to join two ropes of unequal size, as illustrated in figure 6.

Figure 6: The Sheet Bend 1.15 The Double Sheet Bend. The double sheet bend is used for the same purpose as the single sheet bend, but is easy to undo. It is used to fasten rope to an awkwardly placed ring, so a large loop may be formed and the knot made more accessible. It does not jam as does the round turn and two half hitches, or the fishermen's bend. It is illustrated in figure 7.

Figure 7: The Double Sheet Bend AAC Cadet Instructors Handbook Knots and Lashings May 2012

1.16 The Timber Hitch. The timber hitch is a useful knot when you need to use the rope to pull a weight, such as a log. The heavier the pull on the rope, the tighter the knot will grip, but it will not jam and may be undone easily. This knot is illustrated in figure 8.

Figure 8: The Timber Hitch

1.17 The Clove Hitch. The clove hitch is used for securing a rope to a spar or pole or when making a lashing. This knot is illustrated in figure 9.

Figure 9: The Clove Hitch


1.18 The Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. This knot is used for making a rope fast to an anchorage. A similar knot is the fishermen's bend, which is more secure and will not work loose when there is a give and take motion on the rope; eg, when making fast a rope to an anchor. This knot is illustrated in figure 10.

Figure 10: A Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

1.19 Draw Hitch. The draw hitch is used to tie a rope to a ring or post. It is released by pull on the running end. This knot is illustrated in figure 11.

Figure 11: Draw Hitch

Also see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJu9XqMZFJw http://www.marinews.com/bait-presentation/draw-hitch/718/


1.20 The Bowline. The bowline forms a single loop in cordage that will not tighten or slip under strain but is easily untied.

Figure 12: The Bowline 1.21 The Fishermans Bend. The fishermans bend is used to make fast a rope on which there is a give and take motion., eg, securing a boat to a post or tying a fishing hook onto a line. It is similar to the round turn and two half hitches except that the first half hitch is taken through the round turn. See figure below.

Figure 13: The Fishermans Bend Also see: http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermans/index.php http://www.2020site.org/knots/fishermensbend.html


1.22 Fishermans knot. The Fisherman's Knot is an important and valuable knot for anglers, as the two lines may be drawn apart by taking hold of the ends, and a third line for a sinker, or extra hook, may be inserted between them. In joining gut lines the knot should be left slightly open and the space between wrapped with silk. This is probably the strongest known method of fastening fine lines. The "Fisherman's Knot" is a good knot and is formed by two simple overhand knots slipped over each rope, and when drawn taut appears as below.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Lay the two ropes side by side. Make a loop around one rope with the other rope, passing the end under both ropes (M). Bring the end over and into the loop to make a single tie (N). Tie the end of the second rope around the first rope in the same manner (N). Draw both knots tight (O).


1.23 The Sheep Shank The sheep shank is used to shorten a rope or take the strain off a weak spot.

Figure 14: The Sheep Shank

Also see:

http://www.2020site.org/knots/sheepshank.html


1.24 The Truckies Hitch. The truckies hitch is used to tighten a lashing. It is useful when tying loads on trucks, trailers etc.

Figure 15: Truckies Hitch Also see: http://www.animatedknots.com/truckers/index.php

1.25 Stopper Hitch. The stopper hitch is a more secure version of the rolling hitch and is used to transfer strain from one rope to another. It cannot be slipped along the rope.

Figure 16: The Stopper Hitch AAC Cadet Instructors Handbook Knots and Lashings May 2012

1.26 Rolling Hitch. The rolling hitch is used to secure on rope to another, or fasten it to a pole so that the cordage will not slip. The knot grips tightly but is easily moved along the rope or pole when the strain is removed. It is also an excellent knot for hootchies as it is easily adjustable.

Figure 17: The Rolling Hitch Also see: http://www.2020site.org/knots/rollinghitch.html


Splicing 1.27 Splicing is the means whereby ropes can be permanently joined or stopped without using a knot. The main splices are: a. b. the eye splice; and the back splice.

1.28 When splicing it is important to prevent the strands from unwinding. Proficiency in splicing only comes with practice. 1.29 The Eye Splice. The eye splice is used to make a permanent loop in the end of a rope.

Figure 18: The Eye Splice

Also see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r29A0tBM7Oo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ETjsIHLg0M


1.30 The Back Splice. The back splice is a method of securing the end of a rope to prevent it unravelling.

Figure 19: The Back Splice

Also see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRjqMKLS99A


Lashings1.31 Lashings are used to join two poles or spars together. They have many applications in field engineering, eg stretcher construction, survival shelters etc. They do tend to work loose and therefore should be checked frequently. 1.32 For each type of lashing you should: a. b. c. commence and finish with a hitch around one or both of the objects to be joined. consist of a number of turns around the objects being lashed, and tighten by making a number of frapping turns around the lashing between the objects or by driving blunt wooden wedges between the lashing and the objects being joined.

1.33 Square Lashing. Square lashing is used to lash one spar at right angles to another. This lashing is illustrated in figure 20.

Figure 20: Square Lashing


1.34 Diagonal Lashing. Diagonal lashing is used to lash together two spars at an angle to each other. This lashing is illustrated in figure 21.

Figure 21: Diagonal Lashing


cadet instructors handbook - knots and lashings, 2012

Documents

tying knots

choice of knots

lashings types of cordage

cadet fieldcraft training

common synthetic fibre

useful life of cordage

cadet unit training

nylon rope