Fire Protection Training: Ropes & Knots

How Is That Knot Tied? I have to admit I’m far from the best or most knowledgeable at tying a simple knot. Ropes and knots are an important tool fire fighters may have to use when on the fire ground. It benefit’s the fire fighter to make it a monthly practice to review various knots that might be needed on the emergency scene. Using the correct knot could be the difference of a quick operation being completed or one where there is a delayed because a “Mickey Mouse Knot” was used. A knot that is tied which is a what ever I can tie that looks like a knot but will have to do for the moment could hamper and make for additional danger added to an already dangerous operation. Just like using the right tool for the work at hand, the same can be said about knots. Use the right knot for the operation at hand when utilizing ropes.

Some of the basic firefighting rope tying knots I’ve learned over the years and seem to always be reviewing are the Square, Clove Hitch, Bowling, Figure 8 Bite, and the Butterfly. Could say I wasn’t a Boy Scout in my younger day and if I was I probably be taking awhile to get the merit badge for knot tying. Thus the importance of training and reviewing knot tying on a regular bases.

Lets review and learn to tie some fireman’s knots you may have to use with that rope…

A Square Knot is a quick knot that can be tied two different ways….

A proper Clove Hitch looks like a pretzel….

The Bowline is a self-tightening knot that can be used for many things….

A Figure Eight Bite is a common way to attach objects to rope….

The Butterfly Knot forms a locking loop in the middle of a rope….

On the fire ground, fire fighters may have to hoist tools up with a rope to another fire fighter at a higher level. Tools that are tied to a rope need to have the correct knots used so they don’t create a fall hazard.

Here’s how a Fire Axe is tied onto ropes using the Bowline….

A Halligan tool is a fireman's tool used to pry, twist, punch or strike. Here’s how a Halligan tool is tied onto ropes using the Figure Eight Bite….

There is a great amount of reference material on the internet today to help home in on the skill, as well as use as a resource for tying knots correctly. The above YouTubes videos by Fire Fighter Captain Joe Bruni are readily available to help fire fighters know how to tie a particular knot correctly. This information resource should be used when ever training. Especially, when there isn’t a knowledgeable instructor available. To build that knowledge base so the job can get done when call upon to do so.

Another good and one of the best online sites for learning & referencing knot tying that I came across is…

Grog's Search & Rescue Knots Index

The www.animatedknots.com/ web site shows a step by step way to learn how to tie various knots. As a fire fighter it’s “Better to know a knot and not need it, than need a knot and not know it.”

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind ~ author unknown

The same applies to training in the fire protection field, you just can’t think about training and the training magically happens. Training must be explained, shown, have practical “hands on,” actual showing & doing, and displaying confidence in doing what is being taught. This is the training process, a multi-step process of “how” something is done. Just thinking about training is not going to make the grade, the actual doing is going to get you across the finish line.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)