OBJECTIVE :

To be able to tie the 7 basic knots

SCOPE :

Introduction to the types of rope

Maintenance of a rope

Parts of a rope

Methods of tying knots

2 main rope types commonly used :

NATURAL FIBRE ROPES :

Examples: Hemp, Manila, cotton

Limitations : Rot easily in humid conditions

* Strength of such ropes are limited due to the fact that natural fibers are short.

SYNTHETIC FIBRE ROPES :

Examples : Nylon , Polyester

Stronger and lighter than natural fibersof the same size .

Will not rot so easily as they absorbless water.

Limitations: Ropes are smoother and Knots may easily be undone Sensitive to overheating Can cause rope burn

NYLON ROPES :

Have great elasticity compared to synthetic ropes.

Good for absorbing shock loads

Not suitable for tying some of the rope obstacles

because the occurrence of friction during tying

that produces heat and reduces the rope’s strength

Easy to handle, good for instructional use on tying

of knots for hands-on session

POLYESTER ROPES :

Have less ability to stretch. Good for heavy stress.

Used in activities where minimal stretch is required

Like the tying of sails for boats and mooring lines

Easy to handle

Resistant to ultraviolet light. Water resistant thus will not rot so easily.

All ropes deteriorate with wear and some deteriorate

under the influence of weather or chemicals.

Natural fibre ropes, for example, are very susceptible to rot while wire and synthetic ropes are not.

However, galvanized wired ropes can rust while synthetic ropes can be seriously affected by heat or sunlight.

Chemicals such as acid attack most materials and damage from abrasion is one of the most common causes of deterioration in any ropes.

Deterioration :

Prevention :

Keep all ropes away from the ultraviolet light and sun as much as possible

Store all ropes in a well ventilated room

All ropes should be dried and cleaned before storage

Keep all ropes away from chemicals

Need to maintain care of ropes

POINTS TO REMEMBER :

A rope that has twice the diameter of another has four times it’s strength

Never use two ropes of different materials together as only the more rigid rope will work under the strain

Do not use ropes that will float for anchorage in ports as they would be severed by the propellers of a boat

Repair frayed ends immediately

7 BASIC KNOTS : Thumb Knot

Figure of Eight

Reef Knot

Fisherman’s Knot

Sheet Bend

Bowline

Clove Hitch

It is used as a simple stopper knot

Preventing a rope from running through a block

Preventing a rope running through a block.

Commonly used for the sheets of a sailing boat

Used to join 2 ropes of the same thickness together

Used to join 2 slippery ropes of the same thickness together

Used to join 2 ropes of different thickness together

Used to tie a loop that is fixed for rescue purposes

Used for securing a rope to round objects

TENT GUY LOOP :

Used to secure the tent to the supporting pegs in the ground. One end of the rope is secured via a bowline to the Sleeve ring of the tent. Another end of the rope goes beneath the hook of the peg . Make a slip knot ( bootlace tie method ) with the rope end in your left hand

TENT GUY LOOP :

Insert the other end of the rope into the slip knot and pull it down. After pulling, curl this end of the rope around the hook of the peg again. Tie 2 half Hitches round the pegs (Refer to final diagram)

Challenge:

Recall all knots and tie in the rope provided.

COMBINED PRACTICAL :

Knots are essential in Campcraft

It is also needed to pitch tents during camps

With these skills, you will be able to apply them in camps and making gadgets such as rafts

CONCLUSION :