Page 67 - Outward Bound Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Bowline

A fIxed LOOp At tHe end Of
A LIne OR fOR AttACHIng A LIne
tO An OBjeCt
The bowline is one of the best known and most widely
used of all knots. It creates a fixed loop that does not slip
or jam. It is, however, far from being a secure knot. It can
be shaken loose when unloaded, and it has been known
to capsize (deform) when overloaded. It is, therefore, best
backed up with a stopper (see the final photograph). But
even while loaded, this knot can be untied by pushing up
on the bight that surrounds the standing part. When a

XX: Step 1
Bowline Bowline:
XXStep 2

XXXForm a small loop in the stand- XXX
Take the working end around
ing part of the line and bring behind the standing part and
the working end back up back down through the loop.
through the loop, as shown in Pull slowly on the standing part
the photograph. to form the knot—but do not
tighten the knot.

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