8 Useful Knots for Whitewater and Swiftwater Rescue
Any knot will reduce a rope’s strength by one third to one half. So while these knots aren’t ‘stronger’ than many others, our students learn how to tie them because they are easy to identify and untie.
Being able to easily identify a knot is key. It enables others to double check our rope systems and we can be confident that we have a secure knot. Having knots that we can untie is important so that we can use our ropes for multiple purposes as well as inspect properly for wear points.
Dressing your knots (adjusting them before tightening so that they are free of kinks and twists) also makes them easier to identify and untie.
These 8 knots are fairly quick to learn and have multiple uses:
Figure 8 Stopper Knot
Figure Eight on a Bight
Figure Eight Follow Through Bight
Figure Eight Follow Through Loop
Three Wrap Prusik
Alpin Butterfly Knot
Water Knot- Webbing
