Page 99 - Outward Bound Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Prusik Knot

A fRICtIOn KnOt uSed fOR ASCendIng A ROpe
As with the klemheist knot (see page 82), the prusik slides up the rope
when unloaded but grips the rope firmly when loaded, so it is actually
a slide-and-grip hitch. A big difference, however, is in the fact that the
prusik grips the rope better, so much so that it may be difficult to break
free after being loaded with a heavy weight. But it can be broken free
by loosening the “tongue” (center loop) first. This knot is a better
choice for new, wet, or otherwise slippery rope.
Credited to Dr. Karl Prusik, circa 1931, the prusik knot can be tied
with one hand, a useful skill in an emergency when the other hand
may be unavailable. The word “prusik” may be used to refer not only
to the knot but also to the loop of cord in which the knot is tied and

Prusik Kn XXot: Step 1 Prusik Kno
XXt: Step 2

XXXTie a loop in a cord of signifi- XXX
Attach the loop to the main
cantly smaller diameter than rope with a girth hitch (see
the main rope. page 81), keeping the hitch
loose.

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